by Hal Greenblatt
Phanatic Football Writer
Well, well, well…here we are again. Another football season is
upon us as the Philadelphia Eagles begin training camp today just a couple blocks from their home field.
As the Eagles embark on Year 2 of the Chip Kelly era,
expectations, as they have been for many years here, are sky high. In Kelly’s
first year, he helped guide the revamped Birds to a 10-6 record and an NFC East
championship. Although the team lost in the first round of the playoffs, at
home to the New Orleans Saints, it appears Kelly’s Eagles are built for the
long term.
Last season, the Eagles finished with the NFL’s second-ranked
offense. The speed demons who challenged the play clock averaged 417.2 yards per
game (2nd) and scored an average of 27.6 points per game (4th).
LeSean McCoy led a vaunted running attack that was the NFL’s best, as the team
ran for 160.4 yards per contest and McCoy himself led the league in rushing
with 1,607 yards and nine touchdowns. Nick Foles led a passing attack that
ranked ninth in the NFL with 256.9 yards per game. Foles’ personal numbers were
also outstanding, as the Arizona product threw for 2,891 yards, 27 touchdowns
and only two interceptions, while starting just 10 contests.
Defensively, however, the Eagles were amongst the worst in
the NFL. The prevention unit ranked 29th overall, giving up an
average of 394 yards and just shy of 24 points per game. Against the pass, the
Birds ranked dead last in the league, giving up 289.8 yards per game and a
whopping 25 touchdowns. The front line was much better versus the run, allowing
just 104.2 yards per game, which ranked the unit 10th out of 32.
With that, it is time to take an in depth look at the 2014
schedule to make a bold (and most likely inaccurate) prediction of how the Eagles
will finish without the benefit of seeing a single practice.
Week 1: Jacksonville
Jaguars (September 7)
After watching the mockery of football that Jacksonville
played last year, many pundits would be quick to write this game up as a win
for the Eagles. What many may not notice was how competitive the Jaguars were over
the final eight games of the season, winning four of those games and losing two
by seven points or less.
Despite the work that Jags head coach (and Eagles target)
Gus Bradley did in his first year, the Eagles will start the season 1-0 at home
behind a renovated and excited Lincoln Financial Field crowd.
Prediction: Eagles 27
– Jaguars 13 (1-0)
Week 2: at
Indianapolis Colts (September 15)
The Birds travel to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Monday night
showdown against Saint Andrew of Luck and the Colts. Last season, the Colts
sported a 6-2 at home record with wins over both Super Bowl entrants, Seattle
and Denver. Although Kelly always has his teams prepared, this time Eagles will
fall on the road.
Prediction: Colts 34 –
Eagles 30 (1-1)
Week 3: Washington
Redskins (September 21)
In a game that will be completely overhyped thanks in part
to the return of wide receiver DeSean Jackson, the main story will be the return
to prominence of Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III. There is no doubt that
Jackson will help the Team with the Nickname that Shall not be Spoken, but if
the ‘Skins want any chance to compete with the Eagles, it will be a healthy
Griffin leading the way.
In the final analysis of DeSean Bowl I, it will be the play
of the Eagles defense that steals the show. Jackson will put up big (albeit
hollow) numbers, as the Eagles improve to 2-1 on the season and 1-0 in the NFC
East.
Prediction: Eagles 30
– Washington 17 (2-1)
Week 4: at San
Francisco 49ers (September 28)
A cross-country road trip following an emotional divisional
game sets the Eagles up for a let down. The game will be dependent on how well
the Birds defense can keep 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the pocket. Expect
no Hulk-out from Jim Harbaugh on this Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: 49ers 23 –
Eagles 16 (2-2)
Week 5: St. Louis
Rams (October 5)
If this game were in St. Louis, I would have the Eagles
bookmarked for a loss. The Rams are an underrated team with a very strong
defense. The key for the Rams success will come with the health of quarterback
Sam Bradford.
This game has all the makings of an early-season trap, but I
think the Eagles will pull out a hard fought defensive battle. No word on
whether Tony Dungy will have a comment on Michael Sam’s actual performance by
this point.
Prediction: Eagles 24
– Rams 20 (3-2)
Week 6: New York
Giants (Sunday Night Football – October 12)
Chip Kelly’s teams tend to show up and put on special
performances on national television. In what will be another heated division
battle, Kelly’s Birds will remain undefeated in the division. The Giants
recently lost offensive lineman Chris Snee to retirement. The loss of Snee is a
huge hit to an already unstable offensive line. I expect the Eagles to have
their first big win of the season and
be the first team to officially pave the way for Tom Coughlin’s retirement.
Prediction: Eagles 38
– Giants 24 (4-2)
Week 7: BYE (October
19)
Week 8: at Arizona
Cardinals (October 26)
The Eagles entered the bye with a 4-2 record and two weeks
to prepare for a talented Cardinals team. Arizona boasts one of the league’s
best defensive units, which includes perhaps the best defensive back in the
league in Patrick Peterson. Arizona will be without standout linebacker Daryl
Washington, who was suspended for the year following another substance
violation.
Arizona, playing in the “Toaster,” finished with a 6-2
record at home last season, and will display little reason for anyone to think
they will not continue to be strong at home in 2014.
Prediction: Cardinals
27 – Eagles 17 (4-3)
Week 9: at Houston
Texans (November 2)
Bill O’Brien is a good coach. He will do very good things
with the Texans. The one thing he does not have to worry about in Houston will
be the defensive. All-pro JJ Watt will be teamed with first overall pick Jadeveon
Clowney. Houston will not be nearly as bad as they were last year, but I do not
see the Eagles falling for the trap game after a loss to Arizona the week
before.
Prediction: Eagles 20
– Texans 13 (5-3)
Week 10: Carolina
Panthers (Sunday Night Football – November 10)
Ron Rivera did a tremendous job to turn downtrodden Carolina
into the NFC South division winners last season. Quarterback Cam Newton may be
the most dangerous signal caller in the league with his dual throwing and
running abilities. Last time Newton played in Philadelphia, he led the Panthers
to a victory, while throwing and running for a combined four touchdowns.
This year’s Panthers team will not be nearly as dominant as
last seasons. Carolina lost some key defensive pieces as well as former receiving
stalwart Steve Smith and will be facing the requisite tougher schedule. The
Panthers will be offensively challenged and that will affect the result of the
game.
Prediction: Eagles 24
– Panthers 20 (6-3)
Week 11: at Green Bay
Packers (November 16)
I’m going to go ahead and assume that Aaron Rodgers will be
healthy. That’s all that needs to be said. Lambeau Leaps aplenty for the other
squad sporting green.
Prediction: Packers 38
– Eagles 27 (6-4)
Week 12: Tennessee
Titans (November 23)
I don’t believe in Titans quarterback and former Washington
Huskies QB Jake Locker. Tennessee also finds itself in rebuild mode, as it
jettisoned former franchise running back Chris Johnson in the offseason. A long
season is in the making for the ex-Oilers, which will include a bad loss on the
road to the Eagles. LeSean’s running performance will underscore Johnson’s
absence on the other side.
Prediction: Eagles 33
– Titans 17 (7-4)
Week 13: at Dallas
Cowboys (Thanksgiving - November 27)
It’s not December yet, and Tony Romo tends to put up amazing
numbers during the Thanksgiving game. As much as it pains me, the Cowboys will
come away with the win following a short week for the Birds. No Bounty Bowl III
here folks, just good, clean Texas football with “America’s Team” winning.
Prediction: Cowboys 27
– 21 (7-5)
Week 14: Seattle
Seahawks (December 7)
Something just feels fishy about this game. The Super Bowl
champions traveling cross-country to Philadelphia in December. Seattle,
traditionally not the best road team, faces an Eagles club that has improved
while playing at the Linc. Seattle, like Philadelphia, has this game sandwich
between a division rival (San Francisco for Seattle, Dallas for Philadelphia).
This game has a feeling of a Philadelphia miracle. Somewhere
in the distance, Freddie Mitchell’s ears will perk up.
Prediction: Eagles 17
– Seattle 16 (8-5)
Week 15: Dallas
Cowboys (Sunday Night Football - December 14)
The Eagles will not lose to the Cowboys twice. Plus, it’s
another national broadcast. Foles will avenge his poor performance against
Dallas at home from the 2013 season. Plus, like Reggie Jackson in October, so
shall Romo be in December.
Prediction: Eagles 33
– Cowboys 17
Week 16: at
Washington Redskins (December 20)
DeSean Bowl II will go to the home team, but it will not be
because of the fleet feet and elegant hands of the former Eagles wide receiver.
While the Birds secondary tries to double team Jackson, it will be Washington’s
tight end Jordan Reed who will lead the Future Potatoes to a victory, and an
outside shot at dethroning the Eagles as NFC East champions.
Prediction: Redskins
27 – Eagles 20 (9-6)
Week 17: at New York
Giants (December 28)
Just like last season -- when the NFC East crown was on the
line during the last regular-season matchup -- the Eagles will prevail against
a division rival in hostile territory. As it has been many times during the
Andy Reid era, playing in the Meadowlands becomes an advantage when the
pressure is on. Coughlin rides into the sunset an angry man.
Prediction: Eagles 27
– Giants 14
So there you have it. Your Philadelphia Eagles will finish
the 2014 regular season with a 10-6 record and will repeat as NFC East division
champions – the first time the club has gone back-to-back since winning four in
a row from 2001-04.
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