2015-16 NFL Preview: Philadelphia Eagles

The Ultimate Sports Blog's

2015-16 NFL Preview

2014-15 Record: 10-6

Last Playofff Win: 2008 Divisional vs. New York Giants

Last Playoff Appearance: 2013 Wild Card vs. New Orleans Saints

Last Super Bowl Win: None

Last Super Bowl Appearance: Super Bowl XXXIX vs. New England Patriots (2004)

Head Coach:

Chip Kelly (20-12 all-time overall in NFL, 0-1 in playoffs)

Assistant Head Coach: Jerry Azzinaro

Offensive Coordinator: Pat Shurmur

Defensive Coordinator: Billy Davis

2014-15 Team Leaders:

Passing Yards: Mark Sanchez (2,418 yards, 64.1% completions, 14 TD's, 11 INT's, 88.4 QB rating)

Rushing Yards: LeSean McCoy (312 attempts, 1,319 yards, 5 TD's)

Receiving Yards: Jeremy Maclin (85 receptions, 1,318 yards, 10 TD's)

Tackles: Mychal Kendricks (83 tackles)

Interceptions: Nate Allen (4 interceptions)

2014-15 Team Rankings:

Passing Offense: 6th in NFL

Rushing Offense: 9th in NFL

Points Per Game: 3rd in NFL

Least Points Allowed Per Game: 22nd in NFL

2014-15 Potential Starters:

Player Guide:

Purpe - Elite Starter
Blue - Above Average Starter
Green - Average Starter
Orange - Below Average Starter
Grey - Rookie
Red - Disgusting, Awful, Horrible, E.J. Manuel


Offense:

QB: Sam Bradford

RB: DeMarco Murray

WR: Nelson Agholor

WR: Jordan Matthews

TE: Brent Celek

TE: Zach Ertz

C: Jason Kelce

OG: Allen Barbre

OG: Matt Tobin

OT: Lane Johnson

OT: Jason Peters


Defense:

DE: Cedric Thornton

DE: Fletcher Cox

DT: Bennie Logan

LB: Connor Barwin

LB: Brandon Graham

LB: Kiko Alonso

LB: Mychal Kendricks

CB: Eric Rowe

CB: Byron Maxwell

FS: Earl Wolff

SS: Malcolm Jenkins

2014-15 Schedule:

(September 14) vs. @ Atlanta Falcons

(September 20) vs. Dallas Cowboys

(September 27) vs. @ New York Jets

(October 4) vs. @ Washington Redskins

(October 11) vs. New Orleans Saints

(October 19) vs. New York Giants

(October 25) vs. @ Carolina Panthers

(November 1) BYE WEEK

(November 8) vs. @ Dallas Cowboys

(November 15) vs. Miami Dolphins

(November 22) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(November 26) vs. @ Detroit Lions

(December 6) vs. @ New England Patriots

(December 13) vs. Buffalo Bills

(December 20) vs. Arizona Cardinals

(December 26) vs. Washington Redskins

(January 3) vs. @ New York Giants

Final Prediction: 11-5 (4-2)


Overlook: Perhaps no other team has faced a roster turnover more than the Philadelphia Eagles have this off-season. Gone are QB Nick Foles, RB LeSean McCoy, WR Jeremy Maclin, OG Evan Mathis, and many more just to name a few. Head coach Chip Kelly has come into this organization and planted his stamp all over it. He's quickly jettisoned any player who he didn't personally bring onto the team or any player who hasn't bought into his system. He's not afraid to get rid of players who NFL fans would consider "elite" (but scouts would say differently) just because they aren't buying what he's selling. In Philly right now, it's Chip's way or the highway and I have to tell you.....I'm 100% in on this. Not only are the Eagles one of the most exciting teams to watch on-the-field, but Chipper has made them one of the most exciting teams to watch in the off-season as well because NO ONE is safe with him around (unless you played college ball for the Oregon Ducks of course).

On offense, this team is going to look a lot different. Chip Kelly shocked the world this off-season when he traded for the often-injured (but promising!) QB Sam Bradford. Everyone thought that was Chip's first move towards drafting Marcus Mariota, but everyone was proven wrong when the Eagles kept Bradford and now look to be in position to make him their franchise QB for the time being. I know there are a lot of concerns about Bradford, but I think some people are going to be impressed by what he achieves in Philly this season under Chip and by reuniting with Pat Shurmur. LeSean McCoy is also out of town now, but the Eagles improved at the running back position in my opinion by swapping him with DeMarco Murray. People act like Murray is going to struggle now that he doesn't have Dallas' offensive line blocking for him anymore, but apparently they aren't aware that Philly has a pretty damn good offensive line as well. Now, there are some questions at the wide receiver position, but I think Philly is fine there and I expect big things from rookie Nelson Agholor. He's a guy that Chip Kelly was screaming about when the Eagles landed him on draft night and he should flourish in this offense. So, like I said earlier, this offense is going to look drastically different than it did last season, but with Chip Kelly around....they will continue to Fly Eagles Fly. Trust me when I say, these guys are in good shape with Chipper behind them.

Last year on defense, the Eagles were just OK. I expect these guys to be much better this season. The addition of Kiko Alonso gives Philly an absolutely sick group of linebackers for NFL offenses to have to deal with. Not only that, but he's the icing on the cake as far as Philly's front seven is concerned. Good luck doing anything against these guys. Now, there are still some concerns in the secondary for the Eagles. They did improve by signing Byron Maxwell out of Seattle and drafting Eric Rowe, but Philly fans could be disappointed if they are expecting Maxwell to be as good as his other former "Legion of Boom" teammates. I think Rowe will end up being the one who shocks Philly fans the most. Don't be surprised if that kid turns into a stud and don't be surprised if the Eagles defense is an improvement over what we saw last season. They made some good off-season moves and now it's time for those moves to pay off in the playoffs.

So, are the Eagles a Super Bowl team? I think it's way too early to expect champagne and banners this year in Philly with all the questions surrounding the offense, particularly at the QB position. However, with Chip Kelly around, the Eagles are a MUST SEE team whenever they are playing on TV and they are damn good enough to win the NFC East (sorry Cowboys fans) as well as a playoff game or two and could potentially earn a spot in the NFC Championship. That's a good season for a team with Sam Bradford at the helm.