Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
The Eagles won the last wild card spot last year and were one big play away from the Super Bowl. This offseason, the Eagles bulked up their offensive line, added offensive weapons through the draft and replaced aging, disgruntled pieces in the secondary with younger players of similar ability. All of these moves result in a team that earns the top seed in the NFC despite playing in the toughest division in football. The Eagles average 22.8 points per game (#10 in the NFL) and only allow 13.4 points (#1) against a schedule featuring six games against teams who made the playoffs in 2008.
Most Significant Newcomer: Jason Peters – There is a lot to choose from here. Rookie running back LeSean McCoy may be crucial if Brian Westbrook misses more games than usual with injuries. Fellow rookies, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and tight end Cornelius Ingram could add explosiveness to the passing offense. Safety Sean Jones and cornerback Ellis Hobbs provide depth in the secondary. And offensive lineman Jason Peters and Stacy Andrews along with fullback Leonard Weaver were brought in to help keep Donovan McNabb upright. Peters, a two-time Pro Bowl selection at left tackle with the Buffalo Bills, is the most proven of the options. The 27 year old, 6’4″, 340 pound former Arkansas tight end may not have had the greatest 2008 season statistically, but the praise for Peters from Eagles head coach Andy Reid, to new teammates, experts and opposing coaches indicates that Peters should be an upgrade over long-time Eagle Tra Thomas. It will be important to the success of Philadephia that all these pieces can blend together early. That starts with Peters and protecting the quarterback.
Biggest Strength: Defense – They may not have some of the most feared or even recognizable names in the game, but the Eagles have to be one of the most feared defensive teams in football. Led by 68 year old, defensive coordinator and king of the blitz, Jim Johnson, Philadelphia finished among the top five in the NFL in every important defensive statistic outside of forcing turnovers where the Eagles still ranked in the top ten. Gone are safeties Brian Dawkins and Sean Considine and cornerback Lito Sheppard, but second-year standout Quintin Demps and the aforementioned Jones and Hobbs may fit the Eagles even better in 2009. Our projections rank the defense as tops in the league in (fewest) points allowed at just 13.4 points a game.
Most Exploitable Weakness: Injuries – If the defense is the Eagles’ biggest strength than the offense may naturally be the team’s biggest weakness, but Philadelphia worked very hard to improve its offensive talent at every position (except quarterback where they are set). The greater concern is that said quarterback is an injury risk, as are the starting running back and one of the starting wide receivers. Brian Westbrook is a lock to miss a game or two every year and he just had off-season ankle surgery that may jeopardize the start to his season. Donovan McNabb played all 16 games last season, yet averaged just 12.3 healthy games per year from 2002-2007. Kevin Curtis, who is slated to start alongside DeSean Jackson at wide receiver, missed seven games in 2008 and had multiple groin surgeries (ouch) in the last few months. Everything about this team looks promising heading into the season, but that could all change very quickly with an injury to one of the team’s key weapons.
Possible Fantasy Sleeper: LeSean McCoy, RB – These projections were run with Brian Westbrook missing three games a season on average. That may actually be a little optimistic. Our projections see Westbrook ranking tenth among running backs in fantasy value with 1,534 total yards. McCoy, a second-round draft choice out of Pittsburgh, averages 18 touches a game in his three starts and 7 touches a game when Westbrook is healthy. In total, McCoy nets 784 total yards and seven touchdowns. It is unlikely that Brian Westbrook misses the entire season, but in that case, McCoy would project to 1,557 total yards and 12 touchdowns as the feature back making 16 starts.
Closest Game: @Washington Redskins (Week 7) – First, it should be noted that the Eagles are favored in all 16 games. The easiest way to win a division is to beat the teams in your division. This is the first of three games against each NFC East foes. And with games against the Giants and Cowboys at home, the Eagles can put themselves in great shape to win the division by taking this game on the road to start that stretch.
Fantasy Notables (fantasy rank at position in parentheses): Donovan McNabb (7) 3,449 yards, 21 TDs, 11 INTs; Brian Westbrook (10) 1,534 total yards, 11 TDs; LeSean McCoy (43) 784 total yards, 7 TDs; DeSean Jackson (34) 59 receptions, 888 yards, 5 TDs; Kevin Curtis (54) 49 receptions, 548 yards, 3 TDs; Brent Celek (17) 34 receptions, 443 yards, 2 TDs; David Akers (10) 39/39 XPs, 28/33 FGs
Week Opponent Win% Avg Score
1 @Carolina Panthers 69 22-17
2 New Orleans Saints 75 27-16
3 Kansas City Chiefs 88 26-10
5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 88 30-13
6 @Oakland Raiders 87 26-14
7 @Washington Redskins 73 17-11
8 New York Giants 72 20-11
9 Dallas Cowboys 60 19-14
10 @San Diego Chargers 66 22-19
11 @Chicago Bears 78 20-12
12 Washington Redskins 81 20-8
13 @Atlanta Falcons 76 24-17
14 @New York Giants 65 19-16
15 San Francisco 49ers 83 24-11
16 Denver Broncos 94 29-9
17 @Dallas Cowboys 66 19-16
Absolute Record: 16-0
If you would like to see anyone else in our divisions record then check here. http://www.whatifsports.com/beyondtheboxscore/default.asp?article=2009NFLNEAST Pretty cool little website. But at anyrate check it out if you get the chance, makes it exciting times to be an Eagles fan thats for sure. GO BIRDS!
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