Prediction Time: Where Will 2009 Eagles Finish?

We solicited our "expert" panel of 700 Level staffers for the ultimate time wasting experience of trying to predict the future.  Feel free to share your thoughts on our incorrect and foolish opinions, and weigh in with your own guess on how the Birds will fare this year.

Matt P

Predicting the Eagles 2009 season seems more difficult than usual, because I don't remember a previous iteration of the team having this many major questions raised so quickly. Just after draft day, things really seemed great. Added were Jason Peters, Leonard Weaver, and some new weapons out of college. But we were quickly confronted with some tough news on several fronts. First, we lost essentially the entire core of the defense's heart and soul. The coordinator that has called the shots (and blitzes) for more than a decade passed away, and while I think it's fortunate to have a successor who has worked closely with Jim Johnson, his successful system, and his players, the truth is we have an entirely new DC. On top of that, we lost Brian Dawkins, who hasn't always been at his best on the field over the past two seasons, but he still managed to single-handedly change some games with big hits and turnovers. Right now, a rookie is slated to take his spot. A rookie cornerback. We're also without defensive captain and signal caller Stewart Bradley for the season. Overall, I've never felt this shaky about the Eagles defense, not in recent memory. Fortunately, the D-line is fast, talented, and deep, and the corners can hang with anyone in the game. There is still a great chance we'll see an elite defense, it just might not be right away, if at all.

On offense, I think the team has the pieces it needs to be a juggernaut. The one huge, monumental question is whether the particular pieces they have on the offensive line will play as much as we need them too, and that they'll gel together when they are finally on the field at the same time. Similar to the loss of defensive leaders, the Eagles are replacing long-time vets Jon Runyan and Tre Thomas. Two of the guys they are expecting to step up and lead the line this year are doing very little to instill confidence in that aspect. Shawn Andrews is as talented an OL as you'll find, but mysterious and lingering injuries and depression have kept him from taking even one snap in the preseason. Peters, whom we all hailed as the next great left tackle on this team and a coup of an acquisition, hasn't shown us much to back that up, and when he was a Buffalo Bill, "leadership" was not an area he seemed to excel in. 
Still, the guys behind and alongside that line look overall healthy and ready to go. Despite not playing in the preseason, the health reports on Brian Westbrook are great, and he'll be ready to go on Sunday in Carolina. The Birds did a great job backing him up, selecting Shady McCoy, and adding Jeremy Maclin to an already impressive WR corps should ensure the arial attack is productive even if injuries strike. Speaking of which, we have no idea what we'll get from Kevin Curtis this season. Fortunately, DeSean Jackson is now far and away the best WR on this team, and we're expecting big things from him in 2009. 
Weaver should be a great asset in the running game, blocking for Westbrook as well as taking a few carries on his own, and catching some short passes when opposing defenses are trying to mark BWest, several speedy receivers, and a still-mobile QB. I don't have the first clue what the impact of Michael Vick will be on the field, so I won't even speculate. There's been plenty of that already, I'm just ready to see how Andy intends to use him. I do think he has some serious plans in that regard. One thing I am clear on is that Donovan McNabb is the best QB on this team, and it's not even close. I've never at any time, even during Vick's peak years, believed he was better than Donovan, and barring an injury to 5, I'm not much interested in any QB debate in Philly. 
This may not sound like I've painted a playoff picture for the Eagles, but I do in fact still think they are among the elite teams in the NFC. Every one of them has their warts, and I believe we're in for another scrapping battle in the East. Three teams will likely be neck and neck, and the fourth will fall off but still be dangerous on two dates this season. It's how it almost always plays out. I have the Birds winning around 10 games, and making the playoffs.

Enrico

10-6

Over the past few years, I've come to find preseason predictions less and less meaningful. Just when I think I have a really good grasp on what Andy Reid and his players are capable of, they go out and play to a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals.

I'm not going to lie, when the Eagles signed Jason Peters I had visions of a green parade down Broad Street, but after a fairly sub par preseason, I'm much more cautious in my optimism. On the offensive side of the ball, the line is clearly an area of moderate concern. The continuity issues there are my biggest worry. If Peters is to adjust and turn into the Pro Bowl player he was in Buffalo, he'll need familiar faces around him. The Big Kid is an enigma. Whether he turns into a stud lineman once again or a second rate music producer could be one of the decisive points of the season. If the line can grow together and give Donovan McNabb time, I'm extremely confident in Five and the playmakers surrounding him. It's a pretty potent bunch of guys who will undoubtedly be fun to watch.

We'll find out a lot more on Sunday against the Panthers. I like this team. They should make the playoffs if they don't get too torn up with injuries although their lack of depth at some positions scares me a bit. Once they reach the post season anything is possible.

Kulp

There are legitimate reasons to be concerned this season, probably moreso than most years during the Andy Reid era.  Is Westbrook healthy?  Will the offensive line gel?  Are the linebackers good enough?  Will a leader emerge on defense?  Can Jim Johnson be replaced?

The schedule does the Eagles some favors though.  An early Week 4 bye was distressing back in April, but now it gives the unpolished offensive line an extra week to coalesce.  Five games are against teams perceived as bad: Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Oakland, San Francisco, and Denver.  The Eagles generally beat lesser opponents, so even accounting for an upset or one of these clubs improving, those should equal four wins.

Then there are six games against divisional opponents.  All six will be tough in what looks to be a fairly wide open NFC East.  Experts love the Giants, but the Cowboys aren't going away, and the Redskins gave the Birds fits last year.  I'll go modest and give them three wins in these hotly contested battles.

That gives them seven wins with five games remaining: Week 1 at Carolina, Week 2 vs. New Orleans, Week 10 at San Diego, Week 11 at Chicago, and Week 13 at Atlanta.  How you project those outcomes ultimately determines whether or not you think the Eagles make the playoffs.  I went with wins over the Saints, Bears, and Falcons, two defenses that will have trouble matching up (NO, ATL), and a revenge victory (CHI).

I was all set to go with 10-6, until we started breaking down this weekend's match with the Panthers.  If the Eagles can avoid the opening day miscues of seasons past, it seems they are well equipped to pick up the win there too.  Suddenly we're in division champions territory here.

11-5.  The more fans doubt the Eagles, the more confident I am this is the correct assessment.  Sure there are questions, and while this does not appear to be the same dominant franchise that owned a sickly NFC throughout the first half of the decade, who in their conference does not have the same number of glaring needs or obvious holes the Birds do?  It's wide open this year, and I'm banking on stability — in the huddle, on the sidelines, and in the front office — being the difference.