The Philadelphia Eagles snuck up on everybody last season to post a NFL-high 13 regular season victories, claim the NFC East title and win the ultimate prize, their first Super Bowl title. Repeating that glorious run will be difficult now that the target is on their back. Coming off a 7-win season and last place division finish in 2016, expectations weren’t exactly high. But the Eagles started to piece together a talented roster led by Carson Wentz. The QB wasn’t on the field during Philly’s memorable playoff run and that should make him hungry to win his own Lombardi Trophy.
Philadelphia Eagles Futures Odds at BookMaker.eu
Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 Wins -112
Philadelphia Eagles Under 10.5 Wins -108
2018 Philadelphia Eagles Offense Preview
Having a great quarterback puts a team in position to win every week. Having two is a luxury. Wentz was having an MVP season until he went down with a knee injury in Week 14. And many thought the Eagles playoff chances went with him. The Eagles entered that contest with the Rams as the highest scoring team in the NFL and Wentz had tossed a league-best 33 scoring passes. Veteran backup Nick Foles stepped in and after some struggles in the final regular season games, he led Philly to the Super Bowl title winning MVP honors in the process.
Wentz should be back in time for the regular season and Foles re-upped during the offseason, giving Doug Pederson two quality passers. What makes the quarterback situation work is a solid ground game. The Eagles were 13th in passing, but they had the third-best run offense. Leading rusher LeGarrette Blount is gone, but a full season from Jay Ajayi and the continued development of Corey Clement will keep the attack potent.
The offense functions behind a line that was dominant last year. And the group should be even better with the return of Jason Peters from injury. The entire group is intact, which is a comfort for Wentz, who may have some jitters after offseason knee surgery.
2018 Philadelphia Eagles Defense Preview
As good as the offense was last season, the defense was even better. And with nearly everybody back and Jordon Hicks expected to be healthy, there’s no reason to expect any regression from Jim Schwartz’s group. The Eagles were the best team against the run, allowing a measly 79 yards per game, and they ranked fourth in yards and points against.
Fletcher Cox earned Pro Bowl recognition last season and continues to get better. He’s excellent against the run and added 5.5 sacks. Brandon Graham had a team-best 9.5 sacks, and the additions of Haloti Ngata and Michael Bennett makes a fearsome front deeper and stronger. Hicks is the best linebacker among a strong group that includes Nigel Bradham, Corey Nelson and Nathan Gerry. The ball hawking defense forced 31 turnovers last season with the secondary accounting for all 19 interceptions.
2018 Philadelphia Eagles Schedule Analysis
The Eagles took care of business within the NFC East last year, going 5-1 against their division foes with the only loss coming to Dallas in the final regular season game with most of the starters watching from the sideline. Philly is the class of the division and again needs to beat up on its rivals with a more demanding slate outside the East.
The NFC South features three contenders for the conference title and the AFC South is expected to be equally competitive, though not as strong. And their first-place schedule has them hosting Minnesota in a rematch of the NFC Championship and travelling to Los Angeles. The Eagles were 6-2 away from home last year and they will play three of their final four 2018 regular season games on the road, so they’ll have to be good once again.
The Final Verdict
The Eagles appear to be set up well for another run with most of the major pieces back in place. The only significant change is in the coaching staff. Offensive coordinator Frank Reich took the head job at Indy and Mike Groh takes his place. Groh was the team’s receivers coach last season, so the transition isn’t likely to create any problems.
Wentz should return to the form that made him one of the best prior to his injury. The defense remains strong with a stable of athletic players, and as long as they remain hungry and don’t become complacent with their accomplishment from 2017, there is no reason why the Eagles shouldn’t exceed their win total this year.
NFL Odds: Philadelphia Eagles Over 10.5 Wins
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