2011 Philadelphia Eagles Predictions
The Philadelphia Eagles have consistently been one of the top teams in the NFC since Andy Reid took over as head coach. They have made the playoffs in nine of his 12 seasons on the job, winning the division six times.
They added the sixth division title last year, winning the NFC East with a 10-6 record. It was the eighth time under Reid the Eagles have won at least 10 games.
Unfortunately, they endured a second straight first-round playoff exit, losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers by just five points.
The goal is to reach the Super Bowl, but history tells us that goal won’t be reached easily. Reid has only taken the Eagles to the NFL championship game once, and that came way back in the 2004 season.
Offense: Philadelphia was one of the most explosive teams in the NFL in 2010. It ranked second in the league in total offense with 389.4 yards per game and third in scoring offense with 27.4 points per game.
The development of Kevin Kolb gave the Eagles enough confidence to trade Donovan McNabb. Little did they know that Michael Vick would be their guy.
Vick had arguably his best season in the NFL. He started 12 games and posted career highs in passer rating (100.2), completion percentage (62.6) and touchdown-to-interception ratio (21/6). He passed for a total of 3,018 yards and rushed for 676 yards and nine more scores.
Vick had the luxury of throwing to a talented receiving unit that was led by wide receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin and tight end Brent Celek. Jackson is one of the premier deep threats in the game. He averaged an amazing 22.5 yards per catch and led the Eagles with 1,056 receiving yards. Maclin, who caught 70 passes for 964 yards, led the team with 10 touchdown receptions. Celek caught 42 passes for 511 yards and four scores.
The running game is in good hands with LeSean McCoy. He rushed for 1,080 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry and also caught 78 passes for 592 yards and two scores.
Philly proved it could put up huge offensive numbers despite the inconsistent play of an offensive line that gave up 49 sacks. The Eagles believe this group will be better in 2011. The addition of guard Danny Watkins is a big reason why.
Defense: The Eagles ranked 12th in the NFL in total defense last season with 327.2 yards allowed per contest. They ranked 21st in scoring defense with 23.6 points allowed per game.
The additions of Jason Babin, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Cullen Jenkins and Nnamdi Asomugha give me reason to believe the stop unit will be better this year.
Babin, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season, will take some of the pressure off Trent Cole, who had 10 sacks despite getting a lot of attention.
Rodgers-Cromartie, a 2009 Pro Bowler, and Asomugha, one of the best corners in the game, combine with Asante Samuel to form one of the best secondaries in the league.
Philly gave up a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes last season. I don’t see that happening again with all the talent it brought in.
Prediction: 1st Place NFC East – A strong offseason has made Philly the clear favorite in the East and one of the top choices by NFL odds makers to win the Super Bowl. The Eagles are listed at -140 to win the NFC East.
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