2018 Philadelphia Eagles Need Wentz Back

by DS Williamson

Carson Wentz and Doug Pederson shocked the world by toppling the Patriots in the Super Bowl during a thrilling gauntlet of a game. The 2018 Philadelphia Eagles will look to become the first team since 2004 and 2005 to repeat as champions, which just goes to show you how hard it is to win in this league. Pederson's crew is systematically built for the long haul and added some great pieces, but also lost a few. The most important player they have remains Wentz, who is on his way back from a devastating injury.

Philly’s offense looks to continue domination The 2018 Philadelphia Eagles’ offense will look to continue it’s domination this season. Philadelphia finished last season as one of the very best offenses in the NFL, with the 7th most yards per game and the 3rd highest scoring average. Heck, it’s difficult to argue with those who said Philly had the best offense in the NFL.

It starts at the QB position where back-up Nick Foles played so well in last year’s Super Bowl that he won the MVP. That’s right, just in case someone forgot, Foles doesn’t start for the Super Bowl champs. He’s just the backup.

The actual starter remains Carson Wentz, who should be ready by Week 1. If Wentz is ready, Philly fans have nothing to worry about. Wentz was on his way to NFL MVP consideration before getting injured late in the season. Wentz also has plenty of weapons to throw the football to in wide receivers Alshon Jeffery, Mike Wallace, and Nelson Agholor. TE Zach Ertz is one of the best tight-ends in the NFL.

Philadelphia likes to rush two backs during most of the game. That means Jay Ajai and Corey Clement could end up splitting carries. Again, that’s not a bad thing. Both are capable.

Philadelphia’s defense could be better The Eagles lost few players from a defense that had become stingy, if not spectacular, in the playoffs. Philadelphia added Michael Bennett from Seattle and Nigel Bradham from Buffalo. Both will play extensively on a defensive line that is as deep as it is deadly.

Both Fletcher Cox and Derek Barnett are two of the best at their positions. The key for the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles, though, will be how Sidney Jones plays at cornerback. Until busting his knee before the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones had been rated the highest cornerback coming out of college.

If Jones is back to where he was during his Washington Huskies’ playing days, the Philadelphia defense should see some key gains to a secondary that ranked just 17th last season. By the way, the rushing defense was ranked 1st with just 79.2 yards allowed per game. That’s saying a lot. There’s a reason Philadelphia is a second choice to win Super Bowl LIII. It has to do with their defense.

The schedule is an absolute nightmare Even if Philadelphia’s defense is improved, and even if Wentz comes back strong, the Eagles could find it hard to win the NFC East Division. The reason? Philadelphia has a brutal schedule this season.

Their 5 road games outside of the three games against their fellow NFC East opponents are: at Tampa Bay, at Tennessee, at Jacksonville, at New Orleans, and at the L.A. Rams. None of those games are automatic wins.

Not only that, but beyond their division, Philly must battle Atlanta, Minnesota, Carolina, and Houston at home. The schedule is ridiculously brutal. Because of the tough sledding, it’s hard to see the 2018 Philadelphia Eagles doing much more than grabbing a wildcard playoff spot this season. This group is already grueling enough as it is without Dallas and New York making notable improvements of their own. Philadelphia's days as an NFL betting darling after going 12-4 SU and 10-6 ATS are numbered.