Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles: 5 reasons they win the NFC East in 2016

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here are five reasons the Philadelphia Eagles will win the NFC East this year.

The Philadelphia Eagles had a crazy offseason in 2016. It featured Vice President of Football Operations, General Manager, magician, or whatever title Howie Roseman wants to hold, making moves to better the franchise. Crazy, I know.

He first worked his magic to trade 2015 free agent bust Byron Maxwell and the player the Eagles acquired in the horrendous LeSean McCoy trade, Kiko Alonso. That led to another 2015 free agent bust, running back DeMarco Murray, also getting traded.

After the three high profile names were shipped out of Philadelphia, the Eagles made a move that will transform their franchise. The Eagles moved from the eighth-overall pick to the second-overall pick, with one player on their mind. That player was North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz brings game and hope to Philadelphia and Roseman will forever be tied to the young gun-slinger.

Wentz was supposed to sit this season, however Roseman had one more trick up his sleeve. He sent Sam Bradford, the expected starter in 2016, to the Minnesota Vikings for a first and a fourth round pick just nine days before the NFL season.

All of these move were exciting, but will they work? The Eagles play in arguably the worst division in football, the NFC East. So, it is a crapshoot every single season to determine who will walk out on top.

Tony Romo is hurt again, leading to 2016 NFL Draft choice Dak Prescott taking the reins early in Dallas. Will the Boys be able to recover from the loss of Romo? Highly unlikely. Eli Manning is back with weapons and a new defense that was bought on the open market, but will their offseason plan pan out? Look at what the Browns did last season spending all that money on defense… The Redskins have Kirk Cousins back, but is he the real deal? As my friend Maurice Moton always says, “I’m not drinking the Kirk Cousins Kool-Aid.”

The Eagles have Wentz and a whole new coaching staff, so will the newbies be able to come together and win the NFC East? Yes.

Click along to see the five reasons the Eagles will win the NFL East in 2016.

Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Ryan Mathews (24) prior to action against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

5. Ryan Mathews

Ironically, I have stated that Ryan Mathews was one of the Eagles worst offseason moves in 2016. I actually still stand by that, but the Eagles are betting on his health. While it is unlikely he can actually make it through a season, if he does, Mathews has real talent and will clearly be a huge asset to this football team.

Taken in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft (10th overall), Mathews was obviously a solid prospect as he entered the NFL. The only problem was that injuries plagued the former Fresno State running back.

In his rookie season, Mathews only played in 12 games, starting nine. In those nine games, he ran for 678 yards and seven touchdowns. In Year 2, Mathews once again caught the injury bug, only playing and starting 14 games. In those 14 games, Mathews ran for 1,091 yards and six touchdowns. He followed that up with only starting nine games because of injury, rushing for 707 yards and only one touchdown.

His next two years in San Diego were polar opposites, as he started 14 games in 2013 and only six in 2014. He ran for a career high 1,255 yards and six touchdowns in 2013, while in 2014 rushing for a career low 330 yards and only three touchdowns.

His poor 2014 season led him to free agency, where he signed with the Eagles for the 2015 season. Playing in 13 games, while only starting six (once again because of injuries), Mathews actually played really well, when he played. He averaged a career high 5.1 yards per carry while rushing for 539 yards and six touchdowns.

The Eagles need Mathews to start all 16 games this season, which he has never done in his entire career. If he can do that, Mathews will be a key factor in the Eagles winning the NFC East crown.

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz prior to action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jim Schwartz and the Eagles defense

There is just something about the Eagles defense that confuses you. They have an elite defensive line, anchored by defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. Cox is one of the best defensive lineman in the entire NFL and is looking to build on his 9.5-sack season in 2015. Along with Cox, the Eagles have 2010 first-round pick Brandon Graham, Bennie Logan, and Connor Barwin.

Outside of those four, the Eagles have, in my opinion, one of the biggest candidates for breakout player of the year Vinny Curry. Curry can rush the passer with great ability, but needs to show he can be an every down type player. He will have the biggest opportunity of his career in 2016, and I think he will out-sack the New York Giants big-time free agent signing, Olivier Vernon. 

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Their defensive line is amazing, but then you look at their cornerbacks. That is were the confusion happens. The Eagles are already burned at cornerback in 2016 and the year didn’t even start. As of now, Leodis McKelvin and Ron Brooks are the starters, which doesn’t bode well for the Eagles.

Luckily for the Birds, while their corners will be getting burnt a lot this season, they have one of the best safety tandems in the entire league. The Eagles had a huge signing this offseason when they acquired Rodney McLeod via free agency. They paired him with their Pro Bowl safety, Malcolm Jenkins.

Even with the poor cornerback play that is destined to happen in 2016, the Eagles defense is actually pretty good. Jim Schwartz was hired to lead this group and they couldn’t have picked a better-suited coach for what they have. Schwartz allows his players to get after the quarterback, so don’t be surprised if the Eagles lead the league in sacks as the defense helps carry them to a division title.

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz (86) during warmups before game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

3. Zach Ertz

The Eagles signed tight end Zach Ertz to a five-year, $42.5 million contract this offseason with $21 million guaranteed. Those are big numbers for a player who has seen his touchdowns sink each season he has been in the league. Ertz had a solid rookie season after he was drafted in the second round out of Stanford, scoring four touchdowns on 36 receptions.

In Year 2, Ertz saw his receptions and yardage go up, but the touchdowns didn’t follow. He caught 58 passes for 702 yards, but only three touchdowns. It was the same story last season when Ertz had 75 receptions for 853 yards, both career highs. However, his touchdowns dropped to only two.

Ertz is poised for a breakout season, but he is the one who controls that. It is time for him to earn his money and show the Eagles he can be an important part of their offense and future. I fully expect Ertz to catch around 90 passes for 1,000 yards and score around nine touchdowns in 2016.

If Ertz plays to the ability the Eagles feel he has and I believe he has, he will be a huge factor in bringing the Eagles back to the top of the NFC East.

Sep 1, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) walks off the field after win against the New York Jets at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jets, 14-6. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jordan Matthews

Ertz is an important pass-catcher on the team. However, wide receiver Jordan Matthews is the most important. Matthews had a career year in 2015, catching 85 passes for 997 yards and eight touchdowns. The Eagles may have one of the worst wide receiver cores in the entire NFL, however the addition of Dorial Green-Beckham has helped already. Beckham may not be the answer in 2016, however he has a chance to be.

With the poor wide receiver core, someone needs to really breakout in 2016. I believe that will be Matthews and I think he will have a huge year.

Still not convinced? Here are some fun facts for you:

These numbers may not be elite, but they show signs of Matthews being able to take that next step. He will need to take that step in 2016 if the Eagles are going to win the division. I believe he will, and he will be a huge part of their success this season.

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) throws a pass during pre game warmups against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carson Wentz

This is the obviously the No. 1 reason the Eagles will win the NFC East. And before you try to attack me and say he is a rookie quarterback, let me explain my reasoning.

First off, Bradford isn’t good. I don’t care what excuse you want to use today; he is just a mediocre, overpaid quarterback that still wont make the playoffs in Minnesota. Yeah, I said it. They traded a first round pick to the Eagles and they won’t even make the playoffs!  

With Bradford, the Eagles guaranteed themselves mediocrity. Bradford has never done anything in his career to show that he is a guy you want leading your football team, and did I mention he has never even had a winning record?

If the Eagles knew they were going to be good with Bradford, a first-round pick would’ve been a joke. You don’t trade your best quarterback nine days before the NFL season for one first-round pick and a fourth. It just shows the Eagles understood that Bradford wasn’t going to do much this season and Wentz is the present, not the future.

Secondly, the Eagles traded up while giving up a lot to get Wentz. Why? Because, in my opinion, Wentz is arguably one of the best quarterbacks to enter the NFL since Andrew Luck. Here is the end of my scouting report on Wentz, way before the Eagles even had in mind they were going to draft him:

You know who the Eagles will be with Bradford at the helm. But with Wentz there is endless potential. People argue he won’t have many weapons. Well, great quarterbacks don’t need excuses and make their teammates better.

There are a lot of people who believe the Eagles trading Bradford and starting Wentz hurts their chances at a playoff season. I believe the exact opposite. I believe that Wentz is the real deal and will not only win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2016, but lead his Philadelphia Eagles to their 10th NFC East title.

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