2013 Philadelphia Eagles Preview

2013 Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are the biggest mystery in the NFL this year. They will look very different on the sidelines, as longtime coach Andy Reid was let go, and collegiate offensive mastermind Chip Kelly was brought in from the University of Oregon. His relentless attack is based around speed, which refers to both his players and style of play-calling. Although there are 40 seconds on the play clock, Kelly will try to run a play once every 20-25 seconds, becoming the NFL’s version of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Philly definitely has the horses to run this speed show. Michael Vick could have the best season of his career if he stays on the field and doesn’t turn the ball over, which would be an impressive feat on its own. LeSean McCoy really struggled last year, but had 20 touchdowns the year before, and even if he doesn’t have the same burst, Shady should still have a monster year based on the sheer volume of runs that Kelly will call for. The loss of Jeremy Maclin will loom large, as I don’t think DeSean Jackson is a good enough receiver to carry the passing attack. Their defense will need major improvement,  which will be difficult to manage. Because the offense, theoretically, is supposed to move at a hundred miles an hour, whether they score or not doesn’t matter, since the defense is going to be on the field A LOT no matter what. This team can feasibly finish the season at 13-3 or 3-13, and neither would greatly surprise me. One thing is certain, though: after a 4-12 season, there is new life in Philadelphia, and there’s nowhere to go but up.

Schedule

The Eagles, because they finished in last place, will face a very favorable schedule. They will face fellow bottomfeeders 

Tampa Bay and Arizona (both of whom, admittedly, are much improved), as well as the AFC West and NFC North, which are very navigable. They will play four of their final six games at home, and one of the away games is in Dallas for Week 17, which is basically a guaranteed win. Philly only won four games last year, after starting out 3-1. They quit on Andy Reid and were 1-11 in their final 12 games. Out of the four games the Eagles won, two were by a margin of one point, and the other two were by two points. I don’t think such a promising team has ever come closer to finishing 0-16. Perhaps this year, with the unknown potential surrounding Chip Kelly and his offense, they can take the league by storm (kind of like the read-option last year) and put together a run in an open NFC East to get back to the playoffs.

Week 1: W at WAS (Big upset, ruining the return of RGIII)

Week 2: W vs SD

Week 3: W vs KC (Whoa! 3-0!)

Week 4: L at DEN
Week 5: W at NYG
Week 6: L at TB

Week 7: L vs DAL

Week 8: L vs NYG (so much for that hot start)

Week 9: W at OAK

Week 10: L at GB

Week 11: W vs WAS

Week 12: Bye

Week 13: L vs ARI

Week 14: L vs DET

Week 15: W at MIN

Week 16: L vs CHI

Week 17: W at DAL

I think that the Philadelphia Eagles will have an up-and-down season in 2013, and after a hot start, they will stumble a little the rest of the way and finish the year at 8-8. Unfortunately, this would not be a good enough record for them to make the playoffs in a loaded NFC. Of course, in the first year of a new regime following a four-win season, eight wins is normally considered a success. Unless, of course, you have a 33-year-old quarterback nearing the end of his career. If the Eagles want to finally make a Super Bowl with Chip Kelly at the helm, I think it would have to be with a different man under center.

Bold Prediction: LeSean McCoy will lead the team in rushing yards (1,322), rushing touchdowns (9), and receptions (62).