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Philadelphia Eagles Statistics from NFL.com
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NFL NFC East 2005 Philadelphia Eagles
Published: 2005-08-31
2004 record: 13-3 (won NFC East)
Playoffs:
Won NFC Divisional vs. Minnesota Vikings, 27-14
Won NFC Conference vs. Atlanta Falcons, 27-10
Lost Super Bowl vs. New England Patriots, 24-21
Offense:
The Eagles offense ranked 7th in the NFL in pass yards (4th in NFC), 24th in rush yards (10th in NFC), 8th in points (3rd in NFC). The core of the offense begins with running back Brian Westbrook (contract year), the team’s leading rusher (812 yards, 4.6 avg.) and 2nd in receiving, accounted for over 1,500 total yards and 9 touchdowns. Westbrook will again be heavily relied upon in the pass game and run, especially after losing running back Correll Buckhalter for the season again due to injury(knee). Westbrook will now be backed up by 3rd round pick running back Ryan Moats (Louisiana Tech). Moats is very similar to Westbrook in size and explosive style of play. All-pro wide receiver Terrell Owens caught 14 touchdowns (3rd in the NFL) and 1,200 yards. The wide receiver unit outside of T.O. is as green as it gets. #2 wide receiver Todd Pinkston is out for the year due to injury(Achilles) and is currently replaced by inexperienced Greg Lewis. 2nd round pick wide receiver Reggie Brown (Georgia) and Billy
McMullen (virtually no NFL experience) compete for the third spot. All big question marks as to current season impact. Wide receiver Freddie Mitchell (Kansas City Chiefs) was released earlier in the off-season. T.O.’s statistics do not seem like they can hold up under current circumstances with the team for an entire year. If T.O. is out, for whatever reason, Westbrook will be busy every down but he and solid tight end L.J. Smith won’t be able to make up for this loss. Pro-Bowl quarterback and team leader Donovan McNabb ranked 3rd in the NFL in pass/rush touchdowns (34) and 4th in passer rating (104.7) in his breakout year. McNabb’s passer rating in 2003 was 79.6. McNabb and the Eagles organization have done well with the distractions but if McNabb was tired last year, he’ll be exhausted this season. The Eagles offense cannot afford any more roster losses.
Defense:
The Eagles defense tied for 2nd in the NFL in points/game (1st in NFC), 12th against the pass, and 16th against the run. The defensive line is solid and the deepest unit, led by team sack leader (7.5) Jevon Kearse who’ll be rejoined by defensive end ND Kalu who missed last season to injury(acl). Defensive end Derrick Burgess (Oakland Raiders) was lost in free agency. The defensive tackles appear to be solid enough to keep 1st round pick defensive tackle Mike Patterson (USC) from starting and making Corey Simon(franchised) expendable. The Eagles are successful with defensive coordinator Jim Johnson’s blitz-happy schemes and ranked 2nd in the NFL in sacks (47). The linebackers are solid as well with all-pro Jeremiah Trotter and Dhani Jones (combined for 16 tackles for loss). Linebacker Nate Wayne (Jacksonville Jaguars) was lost in free agency. The secondary is one of the league’s best. All-pro cornerback Lito Sheppard (team high 5 interceptions, 2 touchdowns) and Sheldon Brown form one of the top corner tandems. The safety unit may be the NFL’s best with all-pros Brian Dawkins and Michael Lewis. The Eagles led the NFL in pass defenses. This is a solid, well-balanced defense who sent 4 players to the Pro Bowl and could send more this year. Special teams is again a strength this year.
Overall:
The Eagles face a slightly tougher schedule than last season but will now have to compete for home-field advantage in the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings, a non-issue last year. Despite the drama and injuries, the Eagles are still the team to beat in the NFC. Prediction: 1st in NFC East.
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Betting Odds
| Odds to Win: | |
Open | |
Line | |
Bet365 | |
VipSports | |
BetCris | |
Bodog | |
| Super Bowl XL | |
5/1 | |
4.5/1 | |
7/1 | |
4/1 | |
6/1 | |
6/1 | |
| NFC Conference | |
2.5/1 | |
2.5/1 | |
3/1 | |
2.5/1 | |
2.5/1 | |
2.5/1 | |
| NFC East | |
1/4 | |
1/4 | |
1.28/1 | |
1/3 | |
1/5 | |
1/3.5 | |
(as of 8/31/05)
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2005 Philadelphia Eagles Schedule
Preseason
Mon, Aug 15 at Pittsburgh, L31-38
Sat, Aug 20 at Baltimore, W20-14
Fri, Aug 26 Cincinnati, W27-17
Thu, Sep 1 NY Jets
Regular Season
Mon, Sep 12 at Atlanta 9:00 PM
Sun, Sep 18 San Francisco 1:00 PM
Sun, Sep 25 Oakland 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 2 at Kansas City 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 9 at Dallas 4:15 PM
BYE WEEK
Sun, Oct 23 San Diego 1:00 PM
Sun, Oct 30 at Denver 4:15 PM
Sun, Nov 6 at Washington 8:30 PM
Mon, Nov 14 Dallas 9:00 PM
Sun, Nov 20 at NY Giants 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov 27 Green Bay 4:15 PM
Mon, Dec 5 Seattle 9:00 PM
Sun, Dec 11 NY Giants 4:05 PM
Sun, Dec 18 at St. Louis 4:15 PM
Sat, Dec 24 at Arizona 4:05 PM
Sun, Jan 1 Washington 4:15 PM
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