The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the 2019-20 season with redemption on their minds. After a lack of concentration from Alshon Jefferey against the New Orleans Saints in the NFC Divisional Round, the team is ready to make things right. In order to do so, a few things must happen. Can the Eagles rely on the health of Carson Wentz? With Nick Foles off to Jacksonville, the pressure is back on their former MVP frontrunner. Wentz nor the Eagles can afford a setback.
During the offseason, the Eagles went offensive again with the additions of DeSean Jackson and Jordan Howard. Their approach on the defensive side of the ball left many shaking their head. How long before the team fixes their weakness? A great offense sells tickets but the motto has always been; a good defense wins championships.
Good news for the Eagles is that they're just two seasons removed from their first-ever Super Bowl victory. While some key components are no longer there, the true core of that team still remains. Doug Pederson will need to have his best coaching season if the Eagles are to reclaim their throne atop the NFL in 2020.
Here are 3 -X-Factors For the Philadelphia Eagles For the 2019-20 NFL Season.
Schedule
Last season, there were two representatives for the NFC East in the playoffs (Eagles and Dallas Cowboys). However, the division has since gone through a facelift of sorts. The New York Giants are mending even after the trade of Odel Beckham Jr. and the Washington Redskins now have a QB. The Cowboys will be back stronger after a taste of that playoff life and will look to repeat as division champs. But this is the East where rivalries are strong and wins will be tough to come by.
Outside of the division is where the Eagles must make their mark. The New England Patriots will be a tough play and so will the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and the New York Jets. But a closer look will reveal that the Eagles may have a clear path to the playoffs. In 16 games, they will faceoff against just four teams who made the playoffs last season.
Defense
The Eagles offense will remain one of the best in the NFL next season. However, if another Super Bowl victory is to be won, the defense will have to step up. In 2018-19, the Eagles finished 30th in passing yards allowed and 23rd in total yards allowed. Something has to give.
What has hurt the Eagles the last two seasons has been the play of their secondary. While veteran S Malcolm Jenkins has continued to hold it down, the CB's have failed the team. In a division where the likes of Dak Prescott and Eli Manning reside, the Eagles must tighten their ship. Too many games last season the secondary has failed the defense on late-game. If this continues, there will not be another Super Bowl parade on Broad Street anytime soon.
Trust
This may be weird considering the Eagles are just a season removed from reaching the Super Bowl and a catch away from making the NFC Championship game. Even with their type of success, winning in 2019 will come down to trust. The players will now trust that Carson Wentz will remain healthy. In order to win, a team must become a unified unit. Doug Pederson must get his players back on track.
With Nick Foles taking over the last two seasons, the locker room, along with fans may have figured that Foles would be the best option. With Foles gone, the leadership once again shifts to Wentz. But can his body be trusted? The talent is there for sure but there will always be that lingering feeling hovering over the team until they know for sure.
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