PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
2020 Record - 4-11-1
Head Coach - Nick Sirianni
Key Additions - Joe Flacco (QB), Anthony Harris (DB), Andrew Adams (DB), Eric Wilson (LB)
OFFENSE - After getting a chance to play down the stretch last season, Jalen Hurts enters the 2021 season as the starter. Hurts threw for 1,061 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. Veterans Joe Flacco and Nick Mullens look to be the backups.
The running backs are Miles Sanders (867 rushing yards, 5.3 ypc average and six TD), Boston Scott (374, 4.7 ypc and one TD) and Jordan Howard. Wide receivers include Jalen Reagor, Greg Ward (53 receptions for 419 yards and six TD), rookie DeVonta Smith (Alabama), John Hightower, J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Travis Fulgham. The tight ends are Dallas Goedert (46, 524, three TD), Zach Ertz (36, 355, one TD) and Jason Croom.
The Eagles were 24th in offense last season, gaining an average of 335 yards per game with the passing game averaging 208 yards while averaging 20.9 points per game. Philly's running attack was decent a year ago, averaging 127 yards per game, which was ninth in the NFL.
DEFENSE - Brandon Graham (eight QB sacks) and Fletcher Cox (6 1/2 sacks) man the front four along with Derek Barnett and Javon Hargrave. Josh Sweat, Hassan Ridgeway, rookie Milton Williams (Louisiana Tech) and Joe Ostman provide depth. Alex Singleton was the team's leading tackler last season (120) and heads up the linebacking crew along with T.J. Edwards and Eric Wilson.
The safeties are Anthony Harris and Rodney McLeod and Avonte Maddox and Darius Slay are the cornerbacks. Lavert Hill, Craig James, Marcus Epps and Andrew Adams are also available. Philadelphia's defense ranked 19th last year, giving up 363 yards per game. They allowed 26,1 points per game while allowing 126 YPG rushing (23rd in NFL) and 237 YPG passing allowed.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - New Head Coach Nick Sirianni takes over this year and for the Eagles to get back into contention in the NFC East division, they must have steady play from the quarterback position. Last year was a mess with since traded Carson Wentz at quarterback and thus Jalen Hurts took over late in the season and showed some signs of rejuvenating a lack luster attack. As a result of the inconsistencies, the Eagles went 1-7 down the stretch and finished in the basement in the NFC East.
If Hurts can show he is learning and progressing at the professional level, the offense should be able to take off this year. The running game is decent and the team has solid receivers and two decent tight ends that can catch the ball and make things happen. Red zone efficiency is a must as well.
Defensively, Philadelphia needs to force more turnovers. They only had eight interceptions last season, but did register 49 quarterback sacks, which was third highest in the NFL. Too many times though, they gave up the big play or else couldn't stop opponents on third downs. Turnovers were also a problem on offense, evidenced by the minus-10 turnover ratio.
The NFC East was not a strong division last year and realistically doesn't appear to be any better as this season approaches. But in the what have you done me lately style of the NFL, anything can happen from year-to-year. The Eagles could finish with a better mark than last season, but with the difficult schedule, figure on a 5-12 finish as they look to improve with a new coaching staff and a young quarterback. The key will be how the Eagles play down the stretch as they have four straight divisional games to end the season, including two with defending division champion Washington.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Atlanta
Week 2 - vs. San Francisco
Week 3 - at Dallas
Week 4 - vs. Kansas City
Week 5 - at Carolina
Week 6 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 7 - at Las Vegas
Week 8 - at Detroit
Week 9 - vs. L.A. Chargers
Week 10 - at Denver
Week 11 - vs. New Orleans
Week 12 - at N.Y. Giants
Week 13 - at N.Y. Jets
Week 14 - BYE
Week 15 - vs. Washington
Week 16 - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week 17 - at Washington
Week 18 - vs. Dallas
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