Five Reasons the Philadelphia Eagles Are the NFC's Team To Beat

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

The Philadelphia Eagles, in 2008, had no right to play in the playoffs.  They played so badly at times, it was embarrassing to be a fan last year.  I don't know a single Eagles fan that wanted to go to work on Monday after tying the Bengals. 

But the last few weeks of the season showed us all what they were capable of. 

Then came the playoffs in which we all realized that this Eagles team really had what it takes to advance far into the playoffs. 

While the NFC appears to be loaded with skilled teams this year, none of them displays the total package the Eagles display. 

Now a season older and much more improved, the Eagles have emerged as the team to beat in the NFC. 

Here are five reasons why...

1. The No. 3 Ranked Defense Returns 10 Starters.

While Brian Dawkins was officially my favorite Eagle of all time, let's face it, he was soft in coverage.  With a potential liability in center field, the Eagles were still able to hold opponents to 182.1 passing yards per game. 

Replacing Dawkins with whoever steps up and takes the spot will only be an upgrade in coverage. 

While Quintin Demps and Sean Jones may not even combine for six forced fumbles, they should be able to prevent 10-15 of those 182.1 passing yards per game.  And that's an underestimation. 

Let's not forget that stopping the run was done with just as much success for the Eagles.  Gone are the days of teams taking an early seven point lead and attempting to run the clock out with three minutes gone in the first quarter.  The run-d really was that bad, before last year.  But now...

The Eagles ranked fourth in the NFL with 92.2 rush yards per game allowed.  Stewart Bradley, Brodrick Bunkley, Quintin Mikell, and others were major contributors to stopping the run. 

These guys aren't even at their primes yet either...

2. The Youth and Maturation of the No. 3 Ranked Defense

With the youth on this defense, 48 years of experience between the projected starters combined and 4.4 years per starter, another offseason together will only make this group better. 

The key players on defense are only going to get better.  Scary isn't it....

Stewart Bradley and Brodrick Bunkley will both turn 26 a few months into the season.

While the old men on this side of the ball, Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell, are entering their eighth season.  I'd say they've still got at least half a tank left in their football lives gas tank. 

Getting a little grey isn't always a bad thing.  This group, through experiences shared last year, got a few greys and all that means is that they'll be able to respond to challenges that they weren't the best at last year. 

I am more excited about this side of the ball than I am the offense.  The offense which is a smorgasbord of immense talent...

3.  Speed and Skill at the Skill Positions.

We know about Westbrook, we know about Kevin Curtis, and by now we all know about DeSean Jackson.  Three guys who, at times, can do whatever they want on the field. 

With Westbrook recovering from a procedure that equated to removing plaque off of teeth, enter LeSean McCoy.  I think this kid is the real deal.  Unfortunately, we'll have to wait and find out about that. 

McCoy will be, this year, what we expected from Lorenzo Booker last year.  Another Westbrook, right next to...well, Westbrook.  Can you imagine that?  My brain shuts down every time I try to think about it because of the pure awesomeness that could come from that. 

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