The Eagles bounced back from a 7-8-1 season in 2018 to go 13-3 and make it to the Super Bowl a year ago. Although the Super Bowl ended in devastating fashion for the team, they are back in 2020 with a renewed focus and a commitment to finishing what they started last season.
OFFENSE
The key player for the offense will once again be quarterback Daniel Adams. Adams improved his QB rating (97.6) for the fourth-straight season and set career highs for yards (3,552) and touchdown passes (24). He has what should be an improved offensive line and running game so another benchmark season is not out of the question.
Lamar Miller joins the team after being one of the most productive backups in the league a year ago (6.8 YPC). He joins Duke Johnson, Jr. (817 yards, 5.7 YPC) to form what should be one of the most explosive running games in the league.
Receiver is an area of concern for the Eagles as they did not do anything to significantly upgrade the position. The team lacked a reliable threat on third downs outside of tight end Zach Ertz. Golden Tate and Jaron Hanna return and Jarius Wright was brought into replace Cole Beasley. The team also added reliable pass catching tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. Whether that is enough to improve an offense that was ranked in the middle of the league last year remains to be seen.
DEFENSE
Head coach Gary Kubiak made the decision along with ownership to switch the team to a 4-3 defense this season. Although the Eagles were a Top 10 defense a year ago, they felt a switch to a 4-3 would give some of their defensive playmakers a better chance at making plays.
One of those playmakers is Jerron Knight. Knight was one of the best players on the defense last year and was among the team leaders with seven sacks. The team feels that with a switch to defensive end in a 4-3 Knight can have even more of an impact in the passing game and help take the defense to the next level. Bruce Irvin was brought in during free agency to man the other side of the line and create an intimidating pass rush combo for opposing teams to deal with.
The switch to the 4-3 also allowed Kiko Alonzo to switch outside linebacker which is more of a natural fit for him where he can use his athleticism and coverage ability to make plays. Youngsters Tyler Cook and Rahmon Davis are expected to each see action at the opposite outside linebacker position with NFC Defensive Player of the Year Mychal Kendricks returning to man the middle.
The Eagles secondary was the biggest area of concern for the team last season and one they looked to address in the offseason. The Eagles made a big splash in free agency by signing star cornerback Jimmy Hendrix. The fifth-year CB from Southern Arkansas has 15 interceptions in his four years and looks to lead a much improved and more athletic secondary.
Joining Hendrix at corner will be three new faces in Marcus Burley, Sanders Commings and Marcus Williams. Burley will likely start the season as the #2 CB with Williams in the slot. However, expect to see a lot of substitution packages getting all four involved in different scenarios.
At safety, the Eagles brought in Jaiquan Jarrett to start at free safety and re-signed Byron Maxwell and moved him to strong safety. They also drafted Derron Brandon in the 1st round to give the team added athleticism at what was one of the least athletic positions on the team last season.
OUTLOOK
The Eagles have tough games with Chicago, Cleveland (a Super Bowl re-match) and Pittsburgh along with a few trap games on the schedule. While it is lofty to expect another 13 win season, it is possible. The Eagles should win their division and likely get another first round bye. Depending on how the seeding shakes out and how the team performs, this could very well be another Super Bowl year for the Philadelphia. Hopefully this one just turns out a little differently than last year's did.
OFFENSE
The key player for the offense will once again be quarterback Daniel Adams. Adams improved his QB rating (97.6) for the fourth-straight season and set career highs for yards (3,552) and touchdown passes (24). He has what should be an improved offensive line and running game so another benchmark season is not out of the question.
Lamar Miller joins the team after being one of the most productive backups in the league a year ago (6.8 YPC). He joins Duke Johnson, Jr. (817 yards, 5.7 YPC) to form what should be one of the most explosive running games in the league.
Receiver is an area of concern for the Eagles as they did not do anything to significantly upgrade the position. The team lacked a reliable threat on third downs outside of tight end Zach Ertz. Golden Tate and Jaron Hanna return and Jarius Wright was brought into replace Cole Beasley. The team also added reliable pass catching tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz. Whether that is enough to improve an offense that was ranked in the middle of the league last year remains to be seen.
DEFENSE
Head coach Gary Kubiak made the decision along with ownership to switch the team to a 4-3 defense this season. Although the Eagles were a Top 10 defense a year ago, they felt a switch to a 4-3 would give some of their defensive playmakers a better chance at making plays.
One of those playmakers is Jerron Knight. Knight was one of the best players on the defense last year and was among the team leaders with seven sacks. The team feels that with a switch to defensive end in a 4-3 Knight can have even more of an impact in the passing game and help take the defense to the next level. Bruce Irvin was brought in during free agency to man the other side of the line and create an intimidating pass rush combo for opposing teams to deal with.
The switch to the 4-3 also allowed Kiko Alonzo to switch outside linebacker which is more of a natural fit for him where he can use his athleticism and coverage ability to make plays. Youngsters Tyler Cook and Rahmon Davis are expected to each see action at the opposite outside linebacker position with NFC Defensive Player of the Year Mychal Kendricks returning to man the middle.
The Eagles secondary was the biggest area of concern for the team last season and one they looked to address in the offseason. The Eagles made a big splash in free agency by signing star cornerback Jimmy Hendrix. The fifth-year CB from Southern Arkansas has 15 interceptions in his four years and looks to lead a much improved and more athletic secondary.
Joining Hendrix at corner will be three new faces in Marcus Burley, Sanders Commings and Marcus Williams. Burley will likely start the season as the #2 CB with Williams in the slot. However, expect to see a lot of substitution packages getting all four involved in different scenarios.
At safety, the Eagles brought in Jaiquan Jarrett to start at free safety and re-signed Byron Maxwell and moved him to strong safety. They also drafted Derron Brandon in the 1st round to give the team added athleticism at what was one of the least athletic positions on the team last season.
OUTLOOK
The Eagles have tough games with Chicago, Cleveland (a Super Bowl re-match) and Pittsburgh along with a few trap games on the schedule. While it is lofty to expect another 13 win season, it is possible. The Eagles should win their division and likely get another first round bye. Depending on how the seeding shakes out and how the team performs, this could very well be another Super Bowl year for the Philadelphia. Hopefully this one just turns out a little differently than last year's did.
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