NFL Betting Online: The Philadelphia Eagles may have drafted their expected quarterback of the future after trading up for the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 draft, but they are still hoping to make a playoff push behind a different on this year. Carson Wentz may have a lot of potential, but he may not see the field at all this year as a rookie. Instead, veteran quarterback Sam Bradford will hold on to the reins as he hopes to lead the Eagles on a bounce-back campaign following a turbulent final season under coach Chip Kelly in 2015. The Eagles won 10 games in both 2013 and 2014 but oddsmakers believe this year’s team will more closely resemble the 2015 team as they have been given +215 odds to return to the playoffs. The team’s chances of missing the playoffs are listed at -275 in NFL odds.
The Eagles had a busy offseason in 2015, as Kelly jettisoned star running back LeSean McCoy, quarterback Nick Foles and several key offensive linemen while adding Bradford, tailbacks DeMarco Murray and Ryan Matthews as well as linebacker Kiko Alonso and cornerback Byron Maxwell. After last year’s underwhelming 7-9 season, Kelly was fired and Murray, Alonso and Maxwell were traded. The Eagles will aim for more structure under new coach Doug Pederson, who hopes to lead a turnaround. Bradford finished last season with 3,725 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Murray was the NFL’s leading rusher with the Cowboys in 2014 but regressed badly with the Eagles, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry. Ryan Matthews was much better rushing for 539 yards and six touchdowns at five yards per pop, and should see more action in the backfield this year. Jordan Matthews and Zach Ertz will return as the top two receiving options after posting 997 and 853 receiving yards, respectively, a season ago.
The defense was poor in 2015, allowing 26.9 points per contest. However, some key players do return. Defensive end Fletcher Cox is a Pro Bowler who had 71 tackles, 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in 2015, while safety Malcolm Jenkins led the team in tackles and added three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Those two and linebacker Connor Barwin will be counted on to lead the way for the defense, while the addition of free agent safety Rodney McLeod from the Rams could be a nice pickup heading into 2015.
The Eagles’ offensive line could be better with the free-agent signings of guard Brandon Brooks and center Stefen Wisniewski, but the team didn’t get much beyond Wentz in the draft because it traded several picks for him. The Eagles have a clear plan for the future with Wentz, but it would be an upset for them to make it to the postseason in 2016 no matter who is at quarterback in NFL odds.
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