2014 NFL Preview: Everything you need to know about the Philadelphia Eagles

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Philadelphia Eagles

Schedule | Roster

Chip Kelly's debut in the NFL was a good one, as he had opposing defenses frustrated all season long trying to figure out his dynamic offensive attack. Kelly took the Eagles from worst to first and made quarterback Nick Foles a star in the process.

LeSean McCoy exploded for more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage, and Philly put up video game numbers for most of the season. The Eagles' offense reeled off plays at record speeds, helping Kelly dispel the notion that his successful college system would falter against quicker NFL defenses.

Preseason Power Ranking - #7

Philly bolstered their defense through the draft and will pair that unit with an already powerful offense. The NFC East is theirs to lose until opponents figure out how to slow down Kelly's dynamic attack. More ...

Key Additions/Departures

Key Additions: RB Darren Sproles, S Malcolm Jenkins, QB Mark Sanchez, CB Nolan Carroll

Key Departures: WR DeSean Jackson, QB Michael Vick, S Patrick Chung, WR Jason Avant, K Alex Henery

The Eagles' roster didn't undergo a major overhaul this offseason, but some notable players have departed. While many thought Vick would be a perfect pivot to lead Kelly's offense, that actually turned out be Foles, therefore the veteran Vick became expendable. Now, the pressure is squarely on Foles' shoulders, as the only veteran presence behind him is Sanchez, who at this point is simply trying to salvage his career.

DeSean Jackson, on the other hand, left on less-than-amicable terms. He ended up with division rival Washington, and could haunt the Eagles by the time the season concludes. Kelly seems to feel the team can survive without Jackson, but even an offensive genius will miss more than 1,300 yards and nine touchdowns that he provided. There will be added pressure on Riley Cooper, who hadn't started more than five games in a season prior to last year, and Jeremy Maclin, who is trying to return to form coming off a torn ACL.

The incoming Sproles should be a versatile talent that Kelly can work wonders with. His speed at catching passes out of the backfield should wreak havoc on opposing defenders and give the offense an added element to employ. Could you imagine the shiftiness of McCoy and Sproles in the same backfield?

2014 Draft Class 

As good as Kelly's offense was in 2013, the defense needs some work as it finished 29th in total yardage surrendered. As a result, the Eagles understandably spent the majority of their draft picks on that side of the ball, trying to restock the cupboard.

The Eagles turned some heads by taking Smith in the first round, but his 14 1/2 sacks at Louisville last year were too much to pass up for a team that must be better at rushing the quarterback.

Matthews and Huff will have the task of trying to replace some of Jackson's production, although Huff should also provide some value on special teams, both returning kicks and in coverage.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Chip Kelly
Offensive Coordinator: Pat Shurmur
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Davis

Kelly will have to be on his toes to keep his offense rolling in 2014. Defenses are notorious for making adjustments not only to second-year players, but second-year coaches as well. Kelly has never been afraid to think outside the box, and he and Shurmur will have to continue innovating to keep the opposition off balance.

It was an adjustment for the defense last year as they got acclimated to Davis' 3-4 scheme, and year two should allow them to improve immensely. The aforementioned Smith should fit well into the plans as an edge rusher and, in turn, make things a little easier for the entire unit. No matter what defensive philosophy you believe in, disrupting the quarterback is usually the key to any system's success.

2014 Schedule

If the Eagles hope to repeat as NFC East champions, they'll have to run a gauntlet of division foes to end the season. Philly will get the Cowboys, Redskins, and Giants respectively in Weeks 15, 16, and 17, heading out on the road for the final two. That stretch will likely decide the fate of all four squads.

The Eagles also have a few interesting wrinkles in their schedule this year. In addition to playing four primetime games, Philadelphia will be in the spotlight against Dallas on Thanksgiving, and against Washington in a rare Saturday afternoon showdown in Week 16.

Games against the Colts, Packers, Panthers, Seahawks, and 49ers will be tough, with the contests against Seattle and San Francisco being a great test for Kelly's offense.

Bold Predictions

The Eagles won't make the playoffs. Despite being the best the NFC East currently has to offer on paper, the Eagles schedule does them no favors and teams will be better prepared to face their explosive offense this time around. The Redskins have an outside chance at going from worst to first, and the Wild Card teams should come out of the West and North. - Michael Amato

The Eagles will go to the NFC Championship Game. Buy the hype. Chip Kelly’s revolutionary ideas will change the NFL. We saw the seeds of it a year ago, but Kelly didn’t have enough time to reshape the Eagles’ roster in his preferred image during his first season as coach. He’ll take a major step forward in 2014, leading a shapeshifting offense that gives opponents fits and an above-average defense to within one game of the Super Bowl. Early 2015 bold prediction: The Eagles hoist the Lombardi trophy. - David Woods

Jeremy Maclin will have his first 1,000 yard season. Maclin has never reached the 1,000-yard mark since entering the league in 2009, and he’s coming off of a torn ACL; not the usual recipe for a career year. However, with the Eagles releasing DeSean Jackson, Maclin will be counted on in a big way in 2014 and he has reason to step up. Maclin only signed a one-year contract with Philly and he’ll be hoping to use a solid 2014 campaign to earn a big-money, long-term deal. He looks primed to do just that. - Mike Dickson

Nick Foles will throw double-digit interceptions. Foles looked superhuman at times last season, throwing 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions with a league-best passer rating of 119.2. He enters this season as the Eagles’ unquestioned starting quarterback, but duplicating those numbers won’t be easy, especially without his favorite target, DeSean Jackson. - Caitlyn Holroyd