2018 Record - 9-7-0
Head Coach - Doug Pederson
Newcomers for 2019 - Jordan Howard (RB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Malik Jackson (DL), Vinny Curry (DL), Hassan Ridgeway (DL), Andrew Sendejo (DB)
Keys on Offense - Carson Wentz (3,074 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, seven interceptions) will be the quarterback once again this season, but he will have a different backup in 2019 as Nick Foles went to Jacksonville. Nate Sudfeld will likely be the second QB this season.
The running game will have Jordan Howard (935 rushing yards, 3.7 ypc average and nine TD with the Bears last year) in the fold as the top back. Rookie draft pick Miles Sanders (Penn State) will get his chances as well.
DeSean Jackson comes back to Philly after catching 41 passes for 774 yards and four touchdowns with Tampa Bay last season. Alshon Jeffery (65, 843, six TD) and Nelson Agholor (64, 736, four TD) are also prime targets in the passing game. Tight End Zach Ertz had 116 receptions and 1,163 receiving yards with eight touchdowns to lead the Eagles.
Keys on Defense - The defensive front of Fletcher Cox (10 1/2 QB sacks), Malik Jackson (3 1/2 sacks with Jacksonville) and Brandon Graham (four sacks) will apply pressure on quarterbacks while Nigel Bradham and Paul Worrilow will help stuff the run. Philadelphia was seventh against the run last season, giving up 97 yards per game.
Defensive backs include Ronald Darby, Jalen Mills, Rodney McLeod and Malcom Jenkins, Rasul Douglas (three interceptions) and Avonte Maddox (two INT) along with Andrew Sendejo, who comes to the team via free agency.
The Eagles pass defense was woeful in 2018, allowing 269 yards per game (30th in NFL) and too many big plays. They only had ten interceptions last season. The Eagles did rank eighth with 44 QB sacks and allowed 21.8 points per game.
OUTLOOK - Head Coach Doug Pederson is entering his fourth season with the team and knows they can make another run provided the team avoids injuries and key players get back to where they were at two years ago when they won the Super Bowl.
As long as Carson Wentz is healthy, the Eagles can score points, especially with the weapons they have in the passing attack. The running game needs to get a boost and could have a decent tandem with Howard and (rookie Miles) Sanders. The team averaged 22 points per game last year (19th in NFL) and had a top ten pass offense, gaining 267 yards per game through the air.
The defense was decent where it matters, ranking 12th in scoring defense even though they struggled against the pass. More turnovers would be huge as the Eagles had a minus-6 in the turnover category last season.
The key to another playoff appearance will be a good mix on offense and Wentz not being injured for the third straight season. If he is injured, there no longer will be Nick Foles to carry the offense into the playoffs as he did the past two years, including that Super Bowl victory in 2017 season.
All in all, the Eagles look solid and likely will finish 10-6 and should challenge Dallas for the NFC East title. The playoffs are also likely again this year, but reaching the Super Bowl is another thing.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Washington
Week 2 - at Atlanta
Week 3 - vs. Detroit
Week 4 - at Green Bay
Week 5 - vs. NY Jets
Week 6 - at Minnesota
Week 7 - at Dallas
Week 8 - at Buffalo
Week 9 - vs. Chicago
Week 10 - BYE
Week 11 - vs. New England
Week 12 - vs. Seattle
Week 13 - at Miami
Week 14 - vs. NY Giants
Week 15 - at Washington
Week 16 - vs. Dallas
Week 17 - at NY Giants
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