Philadelphia Eagles NFL Season Preview: How Far Will The Eagles Fly in 2020?

Matt Curran previews the Philadelphia Eagles’ upcoming NFL season by taking a look at the current roster and shares his best Eagles bets.

With so much uncertainty with Covid, the Eagles will be going all in this year, to win their second Super Bowl. This is a team that if they stay healthy is as talented as any roster in the NFL. That problem with this team, however they have been hit with the injury bug the last few years, even during their Super Bowl run in 2018. I am going to break down the birds, and give you the best bet for the Eagles season.

Quarterbacks

Most important position in all of sports, and the Eagles has the most interesting QB room in the NFL. The no doubt starter is Carson Wentz. It feels like a prove it year for Carson, and if he can stay healthy, which has been a problem he can finish the year as a top 5 QB. What has made the QB room interesting is the Eagles drafting in the second round Jalen Hurts. If Jalen Hurts is used in certain packages to give other teams a different look, which can add another completely different level to this eagles offense. If Carson gets hurt and Jalen has to take all the snaps, the Eagles can be in some big problems.

Running backs

Past Eagles team have used RBs by Committee, but this year it feels like Miles Sanders is going to be the bell cow. Last year Miles came on late in the year, and established himself as the number one option. Doug Pederson and RBs coach Deuce Staley have a lot of trust in Miles so I expect a bigger workload and an even better year (A great fantasy pick up this year.) The back up also came on late for the Eagles after all the injuries last year in Boston Scott. He will be available to give the offense a different look, as he will fill a Darren Sproles type of role. If they stay healthy, they can carry this offense.  

Wide Receiver

The WR for the Eagles is the biggest question mark on this offense. The hope is Alshon Jeffery and Carson can get along, DeSean Jackson stays healthy and opens up the field, and then their first round pick Jalen Reagor, shows signs of being a stud. That scenario is the dream scenario for Eagles fans. Reality is DeSean brings controversy into this season, and is a high injury risk. Alshon best moments as an Eagle have been when Nick Foles, and seems like he gets frustrated with Carson believing he does not get enough touches.

Tight Ends

There is not much to talk about the tight end position for the Eagles; it is the most solid position they have by a long mile. Zach Ertz is a stud, and a top 3 TE. Dallas Goedert is the best back up tight end in the league. When Carson gets in trouble except the bailout pass to go to Ertz.

Offensive Line

The Eagles on paper have an elite offensive line. It took a hit before training camp when Brandon Brooks tore his Achilles. They are filling that guard position with Jason Peters while second year player Andre Dillard will take over the Left Tackle position, where Jason Peters played before Dillard. Their best player on the line is Lane Johnson at Right Tackle. This offense has the potential to be elite, and it starts at with the offensive line.

Defensive Line

When you have Fletcher Cox on the defensive line, it already makes them above average, then adding Hargrave really makes the inside part of the DLine great. The Eagles need an edge rusher still, and have been rumored to add Clowney. If they do not add an edge rusher that could be a problem, but if they can add a great pass rusher this would be the best defensive front in the NFC East.

Linebackers

The linebackers are the biggest hole on this Eagles team. They are a very inexperience bunch of players. The Eagles hope that the defensive line is strong enough, and the secondary had enough upgrades that they can hide any big weaknesses that these young linebackers will have during a season. This could be a major problem in the division with the Cowboys and Giants both having great running backs.

Secondary

Darius Slay; that is the name that hopes solves the entire Eagles problem in the secondary. It feels like it has been over a decade that the Eagles had a true number 1 CB, and that is the hope with Slay. If Slay can hold it down as the number Eagles D Coordinator Jim Swartz believe everything else will fall until place. They are moving Jalen Mills to safety to pair with Rodney McLeod. Now the biggest thing this secondary, defense, and team are going miss is the leadership of Malcolm Jenkins. He had been a leader for this team and had help win the Eagles a Super Bowl, and when the chips are down, who will be able to fill the Jenkins role in that secondary.

Special Teams

The Eagles have a great kicker in Jake Elliot, and a solid punter in Cameron Johnston. Just having those two in place makes this a top 10 special teams unit. Adding in a Boston Scott for returns and even placing DeSean there for some Punt Returns, and this Eagles Special Team is a great unit. This unit alone will win them a game or two, whether it is from a long field goal or special teams TD.

What to Bet

Season Total

Pick: Eagles over 9.5 wins (+100 at FanDuel)

The Eagles win total this year is 9.5 wins. It is so tough to predict a win total this year. The Eagles who have a great home field advantage will not have that this year, with no fans in the stand. That being said this is an Eagles team that can easily go 12-4 and smashing that win total. I would take the Eagles over 9.5 wins for the 2020 season.

Win Division

Pick: Eagles to win NFC East (+140 at DraftKings)

The Eagles are currently +140 to win the division, which is the second best odds, with the Cowboys being the favorites. I really like this future bet. It is great value, with a team that has the possibility to run away with the division.  

Win the Super Bowl

Pick: Eagles to win the Super Bowl (+2000 at William Hill)

The Eagles as of right now tied for 7th, with the Patriots, as the best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1800. This is a tough one to win but obviously a great pay out if the Eagles can win their second Super Bowl. I think there is some longer odds team that I would pick over the Eagles or just pick the favorites the Chiefs at +600, but this is a team that can win the Super Bowl if everything goes right for the birds.

Player Prop Bet

Pick: Miles Sanders over 1499.5 combined rushing and receiving yards

Miles Sanders is my player prop bet for the Eagles this year. His O/U for combined rushing and receiving for this year is 1,499.5 yards. Last year Sanders had 1,327, so the bookmakers are predicting are predicting a jump. I agree with the bookmakers he is going to have a big year, and that is why I am taking the over. Sanders will be getting more touches and more opportunity to be an every down back. I think he is going way over 1,500 yards this year.

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