Philadelphia Eagles – 2009 Season Preview
by Badger of Predictem.com
2008 Record – 9-6-1 (10-6 ATS)
Lost in NFC Championship Game to Arizona, 32-25
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
Head Coach: Andy Reid (9th Season – 107-69)
Current 2009-2010 Super Bowl Odds – 10-to-1 at bodog.eu
Training Camp Site: Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.
The Philadelphia Eagles started out 2008 at 5-5 and suffered a truly embarrassing tie to the Cincinnati Bengals in week 11, but they closed out the year by winning four of their last six to sneak into the NFC Wild Card playoffs.
Once they got into the playoffs they turned into the team nobody wanted to play, as they rolled Minnesota and the New York Giants on the road before falling one game short of the Super Bowl in a 32-25 loss to Arizona.
Although the Eagles made it look like they can flip the switch on at any point of the season, you can bet Andy Reid and the Eagles will strive for a more consistent effort in 2009 as they try and get back into the NFC title game yet again.
Who’s In/Who’s Out
The Eagles made some excellent moves in the offseason to release, replace and improve a few of the team’s biggest weaknesses.
In February they let a considerable amount of talent walk out the door in free agency, with safety Brian Dawkins, running back Correll Buckhalter, tight end L.J. Smith and tackle Tra Thomas all moving on to different addresses. The Eagles other starting tackle Jon Runyan also finished his contract and is still unsigned and likely retired.
But the Eagles did a top-notch job filling those holes on the line, first by signing guard Stacy Andrews (yes, Shawn Andrews brother) from Cincinnati in free agency and then by trading for All-Pro tackle Jason Peters from Buffalo just before the draft.
They also brought in safety Sean Jones from Cleveland in free agency to try and fill the huge void created by Dawkins departure.
Draft Class 2009
The Eagles addressed their lack of dynamic playmakers on offense in the draft, getting two potential game-breakers with their first two picks of receiver Jeremy Maclin and running back LeSean McCoy. Maclin, the 19th pick overall, is expected to be used in the return game as well, and McCoy is a hometown kid having played his college ball up the road at Pitt.
The rest of the Eagles draft came on day 2 (3 picks in 5th, 1 in 6th, 2 in 7th), but with the exception of tight end Cornelius Ingram, most of them are long shots at best to make the final 53.
Offense
The Philly offense started out the first few weeks of 2008 as one of the top scoring offenses in the league, but tailed off and finished 6th overall at 26.0 points per game and 9th in total yards at 350.5 yards per game. Top-10 none the less, and with the additions of Maclin and McCoy (as well as the two big uglies up front) the Eagles are poised to stay in the top-10 again this season.
Maclin gives the Eagles another deep threat to go along with DeSean Jackson, who led the Eagles with 62 catches and 912 yards in ’08. Kevin Curtis, Westbrook and tight ends Brent Celek (11.8 ave, 1 TD) and Matt Schobel will all serve as checkdown options for McNabb. Last year the Eagles finished 6th in the league in passing yards per game (244.4), a number that should go up if Maclin has an immediate impact.
But the key for the Eagles is for someone to take some of the burden off of Westbrook to do everything. He combined for 1,339 yards and 14 touchdowns both rushing and receiving last year, but he had a low 4.0 yard per carry average and the Eagles as a whole finished as the 22nd- ranked run offense (106.1)in the NFL, numbers that will have to go up if the Eagles want to win two more games this season.
Defense
The entire key to the Eagles Super Bowl run in 2009-2010 depends on how well the players and new coordinator Sean McDermott adjust to each other. McDermott, who served as an assistant the past eight seasons, takes over for longtime defensive coach Jim Johnson who recently lost his battle with cancer. McDermott has pledged to continue Johnson’s blitz-happy schemes, but only time will tell if he can call as good a game as Johnson did in his 10 seasons ending with a 3rd-overall ranking in ’08 (274.3 ypg).
The unit has already suffered a huge loss when middle linebacker Stewart Bradley tore up his knee in the first week of training camp. Joe Mays and Omar Gaither will try and replace the Eagles leading tackler, but the run defense that finished ’08 ranked 4th (92.2 ypg) could be compromised without Bradley in there.
Jones will compete with Quintin Mikell to replace Dawkins in the secondary. Whomever wins the job will team up with incumbents Quintin Demps, Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel to form a solid secondary capable of repeating their numbers from last year (3rd – 182.1 ypg).
Special Teams
Kicker David Akers continues to have one of the stronger legs in the league, but his accuracy continues to be a little too hit-n-miss as he was 33-of-40 on field goals in ’08 including a disappointing 2- of-5 from 50-plus. He’s still a worthy kicker with plenty of clutch kicks to his credit over the years.
Punter Saverio Rocca improved his net average up to 37.9 (34.5 net in ’07) in his second season in the league, but there’s still plenty of room for more and the Eagles will need him to change field position if they expect to contend for a ring.
But with Maclin added to the return game, the Eagles could have one of the best special teams units in the NFL and worthy of a high-round pick in most fantasy drafts. Jackson was already one of the game’s best punt returners (8.8 ave., TD), and Quintin Demps had a 25.3 yard average and a touchdown on kickoff returns for the Eagles last season, so the Eagles don’t NEED to rush Maclin on the field but instead have the luxury of using him as depth.
2009 Schedule
Sept. 13 – at Carolina Panthers
Sept. 20 – NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Sept. 27 – KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Oct. 4 – Bye
Oct. 11 – TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Oct. 18 – at Oakland Raiders
Oct. 26 – at Washington Redskins
Nov. 1 – NEW YORK GIANTS
Nov. 8 – DALLAS COWBOYS
Nov. 15 – at San Diego Chargers
Nov. 22 – at Chicago Bears
Nov. 29 – WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Dec. 6 – at Atlanta Falcons
Dec. 13 – at New York Giants
Dec. 20 – SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Dec. 27 – DENVER BRONCOS
Jan. 3 – at Dallas Cowboys
Betting Odds and Projections
The Eagles were a money-making 10-6 against the spread in 2008, a nice improvement from their 8-8 ATS record in 2007. Philly trended toward the under in most games though, finishing with a 7-8-1 over/ under record last season.
Oddsmakers took note of their strong finish to last season and their solid offseason moves and have installed them as 10-to-1 odds to win Super Bowl 2009-2010, the lowest odds of any team in the NFC. With a few lucky breaks this team is certainly capable of cashing in on those odds for bettors.
But in order for them to do it they will have to be perfect out of the gate, not down the stretch like last season. If the Eagles can be 6-0 by the time they reach week 8, which isn’t too far fetched, they can really take a stranglehold on the NFC East with back-to-back home games against the rival Giants and Cowboys in early November. With three tough road games in December (Atlanta, NY Giants and Dallas) it will be important for the Eagles to be sitting in the driver’s seat down the stretch.
Editor's Picks - Each week our in house pro's tackle the week's card and make predictions on the week's games ATS! Best bets, top plays, premium selections, etc. FREE!
Expert NFL Picks - Free premium plays from the "real" expert football handicappers from around the web. Don't fall for second rate picks from ESPN, the NFL Network, Hank Goldberg or the screaming touts on TV.
Underdog of the Week Pick - We forecast the loudest barking dog of the week. Expect a 60% winning percentage with these plays.
Favorite of the Week Play - We examine "the chalk" and determine the safest bet in which who you should lay the points with. Forecasting winning favorites long term isn't easy, but we've had some pretty good luck with it over the years.
The Armchair Quarterback Predictions - ACQ makes an appearance at Predictem to give out his much coveted troika of free weekly NFL picks. Put your helmet on and tackle your bookie with these sick picks. He is simply FLAT NASTY!
Line Movement Plays - We report all the major line moves from the gridiron and forecast whether it's public money or sharp action causing the move.
NFL Consensus Picks - See what the general public is betting on. We use this info to fade the public to the tune of big profits over the course of the season.
NFL Trends - Don't ever let anybody tell you that the trend is your friend. These picks make great fades which is exactly what we do with them.
Monday Night Football Picks - The ultimate bailout play. Our MNF picks are golden and have hit 62% or better 3 out of the past 4 years. (Last season was a disaster!) Did we mention that their FREE?
Superbowl Predictions - Our take before the season on who we think will win Superbowl XLVI. We'll update with a final pick based on the actual remaining teams a week prior to the big game at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5th, 2012.
Super Bowl Picks - Everybody here in the Predictem office takes their best preseason shot at predicting the winner Superbowl 46. Pride is on the line here! Oh, and LOOT too! Picks will be updated a 2nd and final time two weeks before the Super Bowl plays.
Free UFL Picks - Point spread predictions for the United Football League each week of their season (starting in October).
5Dimes - Bet your NFL football picks at -105 odds every day of the week! 15 team parlays! 20 point teasers! Pleasers and huge point buying opportunities as well!
Intertops - Tired of deposit hassles? Bet on football using your credit card at a sportsbook where your Visa CAN and WILL work for deposits!
SBG Global - Best parlays odds online! Get paid 12-1 on 4 team parlays! Best at accepting credit cards for deposits too!
Football Bets - We explain all the different types of wagers that you can place on an NFL game and give advice on which ones good and which are sucker bets. We also explore the value of betting at reduce odds.
Superbowl Betting - We explain all the different types of wagers you can making including point spread bets, totals, moneylines and prop bets.
Statless NFL Handicapping - The quick, easy way and yes, it's effective!
Betting NFL Underdogs - It's the first thing you should consider every Sunday. We explain why.
Choosing an Online Sportsbook - We talk about things to consider before you commit to play at one.
Famous Football Quotes - From the inspirational to the greatest touchdown calls of all time. We've got them!
Pro Football Hall of Fame - A full list of NFL players who have been inducted into the NFL HOF.
The Spread - Offers free NFL football predictions, matchups, stats including both offensive and defensive and more!
Fantasy Football Sites - Get recommendations on where to find weekly updated player news, depth charts and legit websites that offer the best stat and record tracking for your fantasy football league.