Philadelphia got over the hump in 2004, erasing memories of three consecutive NFC title game losses by beating Atlanta and finally reaching the Super Bowl. While the Eagles lost that game, it could serve as motivation in the coming season for a successful trip back. This group has to have Detroit and Super Bowl XL on its mind after dominating the NFC last year. In fact, the 13-3 mark doesn't do justice to just how thoroughly the Eagles distanced themselves from the rest of their conference competition., especially when you consider they tanked the season's final two games. They were 13-1 SU & 11-3 ATS against the NFC in '04 and handily beat all of the other legitimate contenders along the way. Furthermore, other than running the football, there wasn't anything this team didn't do well, and with the years that QB Donovan McNabb and WR Terrell Owens turned in, that didn't matter. On the defensive side of the ball, free agent pick up DE Jevon Kearse led a unit that improved by 10 positions overall from '03 to '04.

There were a couple of tough losses sustained in the offseason with the departures of OG Jermane Mayberry and DE Derrick Burgess, but overall this team remains in great shape heading into 2005. The moves made prior to last year paid off big-time, especially with Owens and Kearse, and they even managed to make themselves younger in the process. The biggest question surrounding the organization concerns the status of Owens, who, as of May, was immersed in an ugly contract dispute with the team. Head Coach Andy Reid has been remarkable in dealing with distractions here though.

Last season we made the mistake of undervaluing Philadelphia's new talent. No possibility like that exists this year. The Eagles are riding the confidence of a Super Bowl appearance, they have a coach that commands a team first approach, and they have a quarterback who has established himself as one of the league's best. This year could be the one that this franchise reaches the pinnacle.

2005 Key Information

StatFox Power Rating:27 (4 of 32)

2005 Schedule Rating: (27 toughest of 32)

2004:(SU 15-4)(ATS 12-7)

L3 years:(SU 41-14)(ATS 34-21)

Coach Andy Reid:(SU 71-37) (ATS 67-38-3)

Trends by month

September

Philadelphia is 17-7 ATS against NFC teams L3 years (9/12)

Eagles are 0-5 ATS vs. Niners (9/18)

Coach Reid's is team is 7-1 ATS in September

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October

Philadelphia is 8-2 against number in 1st of back to back RG's (10/2)

Eagles are 7-2 ATS at Dallas (10/9)

McNabb's team is 6-0 ATS after 2-game road trip (10/23)

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November

Philadelphia is 11-4-1 ATS vs. Washington (11/6)

Philly is 4-1 ATS hosting Packers (11/27)

Eagles are 11-1 ATS in weeks 10-13 L3 years ( starts 11/20-12/11)

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December

Philadelphia is 12-3 ATS in road revenge games (12/18)

Eagles are 4-12-1 ATS in December vs. non-div. (12/24)

Philly is 5-2-1 ATS at home vs. Redskins (1/1)

Top Teaser Angle:

Philadelphia is 16-0 vs. 6 pt. teaser in RG's after ATS win

Top Money Line Angle:

Philadelphia is 18-2 (+17.2 units) vs. ML against team's avr.> 4.5 YPR

Top Totals Angle:

Philadelphia is 10-1 UNDER at home after a bye

Pre-Season O/U wins:

OVER 11 -115 @www.BetCris.com

Fantasy Player Must: Donavan McNabb

Fantasy Player Bust: LJ Smith