Philadelphia Eagles 2020 season preview: Carson Wentz needs O-line to hold up
The Philadelphia Eagles are ranked No. 6 in ESPN’s Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we’ll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Eagles heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.
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The Eagles’ offensive line is a question mark for the first time in a long time. Philadelphia lost its second starter to injury this offseason when left tackle Andre Dillard went down with a torn biceps in training camp. He joins standout guard Brandon Brooks (Achilles) on the sideline. They got good news this week when Jason Peters, 38, told the team he would move from right guard back to his old post on Wentz’s blind side. While that is the best solution for now, it’s fair to wonder whether Peters will hold up for the full 16-game slate. Depth is a serious concern, as the backup tackle options at the moment — Matt Pryor, Jordan Mailata and rookie Jack Driscoll — have zero professional starts at tackle between them. Veteran Cordy Glenn was in for a workout recently, evidence the Eagles are looking to bolster the position. — Tim McManus
Marquise Goodwin was acquired by the Eagles this offseason from the San Francisco 49ers to add speed and depth at receiver, but opted out to protect his family. His wife, Morgan, had a baby girl in February after suffering multiple miscarriages. Young receivers such as Jalen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside will have to step up in his absence. Eagles coach Doug Pederson contracted the coronavirus in early August and was out of the building for 10 days per NFL protocol, but was asymptomatic. — McManus
Overall ranking: 6
Offensive ranking: 7
Defensive ranking: 10
Special teams ranking: 20
Total wins: 9.1
NFC East title chances: 44.6%
Chances to make playoffs: 65.7%
Super Bowl chances: 4.1%
2021 draft pick: No. 27
FPI’s strength of schedule rank: 17
Toughest stretch: The Eagles travel to San Francisco and Pittsburgh on consecutive weeks in October before returning home to face the Baltimore Ravens. That’s rough, as is their closing schedule, which includes games against the Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints and Dallas Cowboys.
Over or under 9.1 wins? Over. The schedule has some teeth and the roster has a few question marks, but the Eagles have plenty of things going for them as well, including a top-end quarterback in Wentz, an improved group of skill position players, one of the best interior defensive lines in the game, and a promising secondary led by Darius Slay. They should be neck and neck with the Cowboys for the NFC East crown. — McManus
Sanders wants to be a dual-threat running back in the mold of Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey. He showed he has the tools his rookie season, racking up 50 catches for 509 yards to go with 818 yards rushing while playing a touch over 50% of the snaps. Sanders’ playing time should skyrocket now that he has established himself as the feature back, and the numbers to go along with it. — McManus
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman took the first step toward revamping the team’s well-documented wide receiver woes on Day 1 of the NFL draft when he selected Reagor at No. 21 overall. The TCU product is coming off a rough 2019 campaign — and he is going to miss the first three-to-four weeks of the season because of a shoulder injury — but flashed brilliance with a 72-1,061-9 receiving line in 2018. He brings 4.47 speed in the 40-yard dash and versatility to a good Eagles’ offense. Reagor is expected to play a substantial role when he returns from injury, especially with Alshon Jeffery still recovering from foot surgery. — Mike Clay
ADP for the top players:
Miles Sanders: 14.8
Zach Ertz: 41.1
Carson Wentz: 113
DeSean Jackson: 149.2
Jalen Reagor: 161.4
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Super Bowl odds: 20-1 (opened 22-1)
Over/under: 9.5
Playoff odds: Yes -180, No +160
The Eagles won the division a year ago at 9-7, but were bounced by the Seahawks in the wild-card round. They have made the playoffs three consecutive seasons, including winning it all in 2017, when they began the season as 40-1 long shots. — ESPN Chalk staff
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.
No. 39: Carson Wentz
No. 48: Zach Ertz
No. 49: Fletcher Cox
No. 61: Darius Slay
No. 71: Lane Johnson
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