Chip Kelly’s first season at the helm in Philadelphia started with a bang and the high-powered Eagles didn’t let up. The No. 4 ranked scoring offense and the top running game in the NFL led Philly to an NFC East title, but they were one and done in the postseason after falling to New Orleans in the Sportsbook round.
To improve on that showing this season the Eagles will need to find a way for their defense to at least come close to matching their offense.
Philadelphia Eagles Odds to Win NFC East: +125 at Sportsbook
Philadelphia Eagles Odds to Win Super Bowl: 25/1 at Sportsbook
Philadelphia Eagles Regular Season Win Total: 9 at Sportsbook
Philadelphia Eagles Betting Props: LeSean McCoy to Win NFL MVP 28/1 at Sportsbook
Nick Foles overtook Michael Vick on the depth chart last season and put up some solid stats with 2891 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 13 games. To repeat those kind of numbers this season Foles will have to do it with some different weapons at his disposal. Despite coming off a career year DeSean Jackson’s off-field reputation and locker room problems finally caught up with him and the Eagles cut him loose. The Eagles are still in pretty good shape though as Jeremy Maclin is returning from a knee injury that cost him all of last season, while Riley Cooper is coming off a breakthrough season.
We haven’t even mentioned double threat LeSean McCoy yet. McCoy was the top rusher last season with 1607 yards and nine touchdowns and he also hauled in 52 passes for 539 yards. Philadelphia added a little insurance with speed demon Darren Sproles, who gives the Eagles another versatile weapon.
The Eagles' defense needed a lot of work after last year’s disappointing showing. No team was as bad at defending the pass as Philadelphia was last season. To try and give the defense a jolt Philadelphia parted way with safety Patrick Chung and took a chance on corner Nolan Carroll and safety Malcolm Jenkins. Rebound seasons from safety Nate Allen and corner Bradley Fletcher, who were both dreadful at times last season, would also help.
Betting on the Eagles last season wasn’t worth anything, as they went 8-8-1 ATS. As a favorite they were money-losers at 5-7-1 and even as the underdog they had no real value at 2-1.
NFC East Odds at Sportsbook as of August 5
Philadelphia Eagles +125
New York Giants +300
Washington Redskins +375
Dallas Cowboys +400
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The Philadelphia Eagles followed up a disappointing 8-8 season in 2011 with an even worse campaign in 2012, finishing 4-12 SU and ATS for the team’s first losing season since 1999. New head coach Chip Kelly replaces Andy Reid and will try to get the Eagles back on track with his innovative offensive scheme.
Odds to Win NFC East: +325 at Sportsbook
Regular Season Win Total: 7.5 at Sportsbook
Betting Props: Michael Vick to win NFL MVP (33/1) at Sportsbook
The Philadelphia Eagles made a huge splash in the free agent market before the 2011 season, bringing in big stars on both sides of the ball that were expected to make the team a Super Bowl contender. Instead, each of the last two seasons has been mired in disappointment with underperformance and injuries at the forefront. The Eagles were 1-5 SU and ATS vs. NFC East opponents last season.
Despite finishing 13th in the NFL in both passing yards and rushing yards in 2012, the Eagles were unable to convert on drives and finished 29th in scoring with just 17.5 points per game. Michael Vick and Nick Foles both saw significant time under center last year and will compete for the starting job out of camp to run Chip Kelly’s fast-paced offense. RB LeSean McCoy and WR DeSean Jackson should fit right in to Kelly’s new system. WR Jeremy Maclin would have as well, but he was lost for the season with an ACL tear.
Philadelphia gave up a disproportional amount of points on defense as well as offense. Despite finishing 15th in total yards against and ninth in passing defense, the Eagles ranked 29th in the NFL in points surrendered with 27.8 against per game. CB Cary Williams was brought in to replace Nnamdi Asomugha, who was a huge bust over the last two seasons in Philadelphia.
Chip Kelly was one of the best coaches in college football, leading the Oregon Ducks to great success with a lightning-fast offense and athletic, turnover-producing defense. If his college football resume is any indication, bettors should expect plenty of OVERs from the Philadelphia Eagles this year.
NFC East Odds at Sportsbook as of August 2
New York Giants +200
Dallas Cowboys +240
Washington Redskins +240
Philadelphia Eagles +325
