NFL Preview- Philadelphia Eagles

After covering all 16 teams of the AFC, we move over to the NFC.  We begin in the East and the Philadelphia Eagles. Chip Kelly comes back for his second season a year after the NFL got its first taste of Kelly's non-stop, no-huddle offensive attack.

This year there is no doubt Nick Foles is the quarterback for the Eagles.  He had a successful year where he threw only two interceptions all season after he replaced an injured Michael Vick and never looking back.  Vick, of course, has moved on to back up Geno Smith with the Jets.  If Foles goes down with an injury, Philadelphia has Mark Sanchez and second-year man Matt Barkley ready to step in.

At wide receiver, DeSean Jackson was let go and he signed with division rival Washington.  Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin are now the top two receivers for Foles. They signed Brad Smith and drafted Jordan Matthews to make up for the loss of Jackson.  Brent Celek, Zach Ertz, and James Casey return as the tight ends Foles will have to throw to.  Trey Burton was also drafted to develop as a tight end.

Lesean McCoy returns as the defending rushing champ.  He is joined by Darren Sproles, who could excel greatly in this offensive system.  Chris Polk rounds out the running backs.

Trent Cole and Connor Barwin are the bookends in the Eagles' 3-4 defensive alignment.  Cary Williams and Nate Allen are expected to lead the secondary.  DeMeco Ryans returns as the team's leading tackler and QB of the defense.

Let's go ahead and take a look at their 2014 season:

Week 1- Philadelphia opens the season up at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Easy win for the Eagles and they start 1-0.

Week 2- Eagles head to Indy.  After a nice shootout, Andrew Luck gets the best of Foles.  Eagles fall to 1-1.

Week 3- Back at home, Philly shows that they are head and shoulders better than the rest of the division by defeating the Washington Redskins. Philly now 2-1.

Week 4- They head to San Francisco and a tough defensive team that also runs the ball very well.  The 49ers' offense use an effective running game to keep the Eagles' off the field.  Philadelphia drops to 2-2.

Week 5- They host the Sam Bradford-less Rams.  The Rams' defense may have a fierce pass rush, but the quick pace of the Ealges helps to neutralize it.  They improve to 3-2.

Week 6- Philly hosts the hated New York Giants and easily take care of business.  Philly is now 4-2.

Week 7- A nice week off.

Week 8- Eagles head to Arizona and face a very tough and game Cardinals team.  Carson Palmer hits Larry Fitzgerald for the game-winner.  Eagles now 4-3.

Week 9- They head to Houston and get a nice bounce-back win.  Philadelphia improves to 5-3.

Week 10- Philadelphia hosts the Carolina Panthers.  Though a tough match-up, Philly uses some home-cooking to earn the victory.  Eagles get to 6-3.

Week 11- They head to Green Bay and get a tough road win after an offensive shootout.  Philly keeps it going to 7-3.

Week 12- Eagles get themselves a fairly easy win when they host the Tennessee Titans. Win streak goes to four games as they are now 8-3.

Week 13- They head to AT&T Stadium to face the Cowboys.  Dallas uses their home-field advantage to get the win.  Win streak over and Philly drops to 8-4.

Week 14- They host the defending champion Seattle Seahawks.  Philly gets a taste of what the next level is like in the loss.  Eagles drop two-in-a-row and are now 8-5.

Week 15- Eagles exact revenge on the Cowboys at home and get themselves to 9-5.

Week 16- Philadelphia head to Washington and give Jackson another reminder of who the better team is.  Eagles improve to 10-5.

Week 17- Philly closes the season out at Metlife Stadium against the New York Giants.  The defense forces Eli Manning into a couple crucial turnovers to lead the Eagles to win the division a second straight year.  They finish 11-5.

The Eagles have an offense that can wear out any defense in the league and should be able to score at will against their division foes.  Games against Green Bay and Carolina can lead to Philly being 10-6 or even 9-7, but they should still be able to win the East division as the other three teams don't seem to be cohesive either on offense or defense-- or even both sides of the ball.