5 bold predictions for the Eagles in the 2020 NFL season
The Eagles have made it to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons but it hasn’t been easy. The last two years they’ve been able to overcome a ton of injuries to do it.
While the Eagles went to the playoffs in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, they weren’t able to make another deep run like they did in 2017, when they won it all. There was just something special about that team.
So right now, the Eagles are in the process of reloading. That basically means they’re rebuilding and going for it at the same time. Expectations should maybe be tempered in 2020 but the Eagles feel like they have a team that can compete right now.
Here are 5 bold predictions for the upcoming season:
Jason Peters and DeSean Jackson are huge pieces for the Eagles in 2020, but Peters is 38 and Jackson is 33. Many expect them to simply break down this season and I get that expectation.
I just don’t think it’s going to happen.
Now, I don’t think they’re going to play every snap or every game. But I expect each of them to be out there for 13+ games in 2020. The Eagles would certainly take that from their starting left tackle and starting Z receiver.
This prediction is actually less bold than it sounds. After all, Peters has played at least 13 games in all but one season since 2013 — and the Eagles won the Super Bowl that year. And while Jackson hasn’t played 13 games since 2017, he’s had ample time to heal from his core muscle surgery and has been taking care of his body. I think the Eagles might manage him some from game to game but I expect him to be out there.
As he enters his second NFL season, expectations are extremely high for Sanders. Sure, he’s dealing with a hamstring injury to begin the 2020 season, but I think he’ll get past that quickly and be one of the best backs in the NFL.
He’s going to do something that’s been done just three times in franchise history. Sanders is going to top 2,000 scrimmage yards.
2013: LeSean McCoy — 2,146
2007: Brian Westbrook — 2,104
1979: Wilbert Montgomery — 2,006
I’m not saying Sanders will break McCoy’s franchise record but I think he will sneak in just over 2,000, which would still be really impressive. Without Jordan Howard, Sanders is clearly the No. 1 back. And even though the Eagles like Boston Scott, they’re going to give Sanders a chance to be the true feature back in this offense.
It’s no easy task to get over 2,000 yards. Sanders will have to average 125 scrimmage yards per game. But what makes him so tough to stop is his ability as a receiver and runner. If you take away one part of his game, he can burn you with the other.
Darius Slay was the Eagles’ big addition this offseason, but I think everyone has overlooked Nickell Robey-Coleman. I think NRC is going to have a big year and lead the Eagles in interceptions with four.
That’s not to say Slay won’t have a big year. He might. But some quarterbacks are going to choose to not throw his way. And NRC is going to be in the middle of a lot of action as the Eagles’ nickel corner. I think he has the ability to have the type of season Patrick Robinson had in 2017, when P-Rob led the Eagles with four picks.
By Cox’s standard, 2019 was a down year. He had just 3 1/2 sacks, his lowest total since the 2013 season. But I think in 2020 he’ll be back in double digits for just the second time in his NFL career.
I’m putting a total of 10 1/2 up for Cox this season, tying his career-high from 2018, which is the only year he was an All-Pro.
Last year, Cox was coming off a toe surgery and then every defensive tackle they put next to him kept getting hurt. This year, he’ll be playing next to Malik Jackson, Javon Hargrave and Hassan Ridgeway, which means more 1-on-1s and more opportunity to wreak havoc on offensive guards.
For the second straight season, Carson Wentz will break the Eagles’ single-season passing record.
In 2019, Wentz became the first 4,000-yard passer in Eagles history, but he just barely got over that mark, finishing with 4,039. I think he topples that pretty easily in 2020.
Sure, there are some questions about the offensive line in front of him but Wentz was able to get to 4,000 yards last year throwing to a bunch of guys called up from the practice squad. In 2020, he’ll still have Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert and Miles Sanders, but he’ll also have a first-round rookie, a healthy DeSean Jackson and an improved J.J. Arcega-Whiteside. With more weapons, Wentz is primed to have the best statistical season of his career.
With the addition of Rich Scangarello to the offensive coaching staff, this offense should be much more tailored to Wentz’s strengths. Get him out of the pocket and let him rip it. It could be a big year.
