NFL Futures: Upon being hired as head coach of the NFL Philadelphia Eagles after a highly successful run as head man at Oregon where he made the Ducks a college football power Chip Kelly faced plenty of criticism, derision and doubt about his ability to translate his high octane scoring machine offense at Oregon to the NFL where it was said such schemes would be crushed on the rocks of pro defenses. Instead after some initial trial and error Kelly found his QB in Nick Foles and the offense took flight as Philadelphia ended up in the playoffs and Kelly was celebrated as installing the offense of the future. Philadelphia opened as a 25/1 choice to win the Super Bowl and at 14/1 to win the NFC championship. The Eagles had an over under win total of nine -140 over and even money under.
In the Foles
QB Nick Foles proved to be a perfect understudy for Kelly’s coaching as he put together a stunning 27/2 TD/INT ratio. LeSean McCoy kept defenses honest with 1607 yards rushing and 5.1 yards per carry. One key loss in the offseason was top WR DeSean Jackson departing for the Washington Redskins.
Handicapper’s Notes
The Eagles have been a poor betting value at home with a mark of just six payouts against the spread in their last 20 game at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have gone under the total in six out of their last eight home games. Philadelphia has covered the spread in 11 out of their last 20 away games with seven out of their last 10 away games going over the total. Philadelphia has covered the spread in just seven out of their last 20 games as a favorite with just seven out of their last 20 games as a favorite going over the total. The Eagles have lost eight out of their last 12 games as a dog against the spread with just seven out of their last 20 games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
The combination of Kelly and Foles will keep the offense lighting up the scoreboard but the defense that ranked 29th in the NFL must improve for the Eagles to be taken seriously.
