The game that could change it all- New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles preview

Having already played once this season at the Meadowlands, the Giants face their division rivals under a very different circumstance. One team is fighting for a win to make sure they have a chance at clenching the division. The other is fighting for a win to avoid total embarrassment after the worst start to a season since 1993.

History
Record since 2000
Eagles wins against the Giants- 18
Giants wins against the Eagles- 12

The Eagles vs Giants rivalry has been nothing short of extraordinary when you think of the amount of moments the teams have shared. The oldest rivalry in the NFC East will always be known as one of Footballs greatest rivalries. The Miracle in the Meadowlands has echoed through the ages and was repeated back in 2010 where DeSean Jackson made a memorable punt return, securing the Eagles a win as the clock hit 0. But this week, the game is played at Lincoln Financial Field, a venue in which the home team has not won since September 30th 2012. Ironically, that victory was
against the very team they face this Sunday, the New York Giants.

Eagles
With Michael Vick expected to start on Sunday after a two week hiatus suffering a hamstring injury, the Eagles offence is almost back to full force. Nick Foles took the reigns whilst Vick watched from the sideline in two and a half games, sending the Eagles to a further two wins and a loss. The loss came against the Cowboys where Nick looked like a shadow of the man that had played just a week previously.
  A wobbly 3-4 start to the season sees the Birds looking to turn their record into a .500 one once again. But as this is the first season under new head coach Chip Kelly, the record is respectable to say the least.

Key Players
LeSean McCoy-
There is no doubting that Shady is one of the best Running backs in the NFL this season and is the game changer in this years Eagles Offence. McCoy is well on par to break  2000 yards this season averaging close to 100 yards per game and almost 5 yards per carry. It's not his sheer speed or agility that makes him so threatening, but his ability to shed tackles. He cuts in and out of Defenders so easily it almost resembles something you would see in Madden!
   So what happens when you take the Defense who are ranked 31st in the NFL and add one of the most explosive running backs in the game. The answer, potentially his best game of the season so far. The Giants did well to hold LeSean to just 46 yards at the Meadowlands, but never underestimate how mu
ch of an impact McCoy can have.

DeSean Jackson-
Arguably the biggest weapon in this Philadelphia Offense, Jackson has had one of his best ever seasons so far and in my opinion, a season better than his two Pro Bowl seasons in 2009 and 2010. With Jeremy Maclin on the sidelines, Jackson had to step up this year and he has outperformed everyone's expectations. He has the capability to make huge plays out of nothing. When there is a gain of 3-5 yards on a quick pass, Jackson will turn it into a 13-25 yard gain. Not forgetting that it was Jackson who sealed that fateful win back in 2010. It would only be fitting that the first home victory in over a year would come from the last team the Eagles beat at home, scored by the man who made that final play in one of the greatest comebacks in history.


Michael Vick-
If Vick doesn't start this Saturday then the Eagles may be in trouble. The number 7 said that he doesn't want to start until he can run the 100 yard sprint despite taking all the reps for the team in practice. Nick Foles has been confirmed as out for this game and the team will count on rookie Matt Barkley as a backup. If Vick is back to his best then we could see another huge scoring game for the Birds. Whilst Foles can run an offense and has proven that he can stand tall in the pocket to make throws and even run through a hole, he lacks the mobility and unpredictability that Vick has. If no player is open, the pride of Virginia Tech can still outrun a lot of the players in the NFL despite his age. 1,185 yards, 5 touchdowns and
2 interceptions in the first 5 games of the season saw Vick make a statement. He is not ready to leave Philadelphia just yet, and he will be looking to further prove why Kelly should keep him this weekend.


Giants-
After finally picking up their first win last week against a struggling Minnesota Vikings side, the Giants look to make it two in a row at Lincoln Financial Field against an Eagles side coming fresh off of losing to division leaders Dallas. The Giants, now 1-6 need to win this week if they have any chance whatsoever of catching Washington and saving what has been an abysmal start to the season. The win over the Vikings was by no means a convincing one, and the Big Blue will need to pull off a Big performance to halt this fast paced offence.

Key Players-

Eli Manning- Seven games, fifteen interceptions. No that's not some sort of dodgy online movie but the statistic which haunts Superbowl MVP Eli Manning going into week 8. But the 10 year veteran is coming off of his first interception free game of the year which may slide momentum just slightly in his favor. It's very easy to see that Manning has not been performing to the standard he should be, not by a long shot. A two time Superbowl Champion who has taken the Giants through so many heroic moments should not have a 54% completion rate and a 66 passer rating. But on the flip side, it just takes one game, one play, one big pass which could re-ignite his form. If this happens, The Eagles may have a tough game on their hands.



Justin Tuck-  Jason Pierre-Paul has not been the same player since his surgery,and Kiwanuka has not made the impact he should be making on the opposing offense. But over the last few games the defensive line has been solid, mainly because of a reformed Justin Tuck. The veteran defensive end has 5.5 sacks in his last seven contests against the Eagles. In a rivalry where miracles happen on a regular basis, a player with this reputation against your opponent will be one to watch out for.

Rueben Randle - Randle has been anything but consistent this season,when he's good he's great and when he's bad he's really bad! But the 22 year old has four touchdown catches in his last three games which coincidentally is the same number of Touchdowns he has in his last two games against the Eagles. With so many targets who can make big plays, the attention tends to lean towards the big names such as Nicks and Victor Cruz, leaving the second year pro wide open to make a game changing catch.

Prediction-

Eagles 32-21 Giants

A similar game as to what we saw at the Meadowlands a few weeks ago will take place. The Giants will give the Eagles a torrid time there is no doubt about it, but in this rivalry with the Giants as inconsistent as they are I can only see this ending one way. One big play from the Eagles to break the will of the Defense and like before, the rest comes easy. The thing is with a rivalry like this, I could be totally wrong and the Giants could do to us what the Cowboys did to us. As a Philly fan, I have a feeling that Vick can guide the City of Brotherly love to a big win and re-ignite our charge for a Championship.

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A small win with "Giant" effect- The Eagles soar at the Meadowlands

The Eagles flew to a 36-21 victory against a now 0-5 Giants on their home turf this past Sunday, and whilst you can't judge a team on its ability to beat a team who concedes an average of 36 points per game, the win itself meant that the Eagles are now tied at the top of their division along with the Dallas Cowboys after they faced a heartbreaking loss against the Broncos. In comparison, both the Raiders and the Chargers are on 2-3 and they are tied for bottom in the AFC West. In that sense, this win was crucial.


But with every silver lining there is a cloud, and this could well be a thunder storm waiting to rip Philly apart or it could be the cloud needed to fire the team up and rebuild after the storm passes. An MRI Monday morning revealed that Vick suffered a pulled hamstring in the second quarter, Kelly said. It didn't look overly serious as he was seen walking up and down the sideline trying to see if he could return to the game but the decision to keep him off the field could well mean he starts against Tampa Bay in week 6 if he is fit.
     

It was Nick Foles who took over the Quarterback spot and did an impressive job, scoring two touchdowns and completing 16 passes out of 25 attempts. He may not have the scrambling ability or the read option threat that Vick possesses but a solid arm on Sunday from the 24 year old showed the world that if Vick does get injured seriously at some point in the future, then there is a man ready to lead this Eagles offense.

The game itself was again plagued with penalties and turnovers, but this time not from the Eagles. Manning completed 24 of 52 for 334 yards and two touchdowns, but three penalties for intentional grounding along with his three straight interceptions in the fourth quarter. One turnover came from Giants running back Brandon Jacobs, who managed to fumble in the second quarter without even being hit, the ball simply slipped from his grasp, very much so like the victory the team were chasing so desperately.


On the Eagles side of the ball, Foles led the Eagles to 17 second-half points with five field goals overall from kicker Alex Henery. As mentioned earlier, it is very difficult to judge how well a team is playing against the Giants because the majority of the attention is being based on how many issues there are surrounding the team. The Eagles came away with a win and have a right to feel happy about it. The defense picked up 3 interceptions but is that due to poor offence or has the Eagles Defensive unit found some good form? Nick Foles was able to score two touchdowns and for a second string QB that is a very respectable feat. Was this down to his accuracy or down to the poor defensive effort from New York?


With Vick still doubtful to start week 6, there are mixed emotions going into the Tampa Bay matchup. Can Foles carry on his current from and bring the Eagles to a 3-3 record? Has our defense improved or was it simply New York giving the unit too many easy opportunities making interceptions as easy as taking candy from a baby?

All will be answered in week 6 but for now, Philadelphia fans can hold their head high. If being Tied first for the division and facing an 0-4 Tampa Bay next week doesn't give fans a slight reason to smile after a slightly troubled start to the Chip Kelly era then they need to realize that at least they are playing better than the Jaguars!

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What happened to the NFC "B"East?- NFL's toughest division struggles in 2013

Just over a month ago the NFC East promised to be the closest the division has been in years. It has always been one of the toughest in the league but this year was looking to be something truly special. Going into the season you had the Giants who are always strong, the Cowboys, the new redesigned Chip Kelly Eagles Offence and the return of RGIII and the Redskins.
    Going into week four and the NFC Beast has turned into something a lot less intimidating. Only three of the four teams were in action on Sunday after the Eagles suffered a loss to the Chiefs and former coach Andy Reid. Two of those teams lost whilst just one team came away with a win from the entire week.
             Let's take a look at the NFC East standings after the opening three games of the season.

1st. Dallas Cowboys (2-1)
2nd. Philadelphia Eagles (1-2)
3rd. New York Giants (0-3)
4th. Washington Redskins (0-3)

In comparison to last season's table at this stage it almost looks like an entirely different division? But what is causing such a big dip in performance from three of the four teams and is there any hope of redemption as we head towards the end of the first quarter in the 2013 season?


Dallas Cowboys- 


Ways to prove critics and the internet wrong.
1. Decimate the St Louis Rams
2. Take advantage of a crumbling NFC East
3. Rush for 175 yards.


Sitting at the top of the division right now, the Cowboys have gotten off to a very good start. Especially after coming out with a 31-7 home win against the St Louis Rams. A lot of that however was down to a fantastic running game from DeMarco Murray as he rushed for a massive 175 yards with the longest being 41. Quarterback Tony Romo finished for a 17/24 completion rate, 210 yards and three touchdowns. A very respectable feat considering the game beforehand they too, like the Eagles lost to the Kansas City Chiefs with Romo averaging 6.8 yards per play. The Cowboys showed real signs of improvement this week in a simply must win situation. Easily the most impressive team in the division at the moment as Romo looks capitalize on the poor form of their three rivals by racking up as many wins as they can. Next up they face the Chargers who were halted by the Titans on Sunday in the final few moments of the game. It will be a very intense matchup, that's almost certain.




Philadelphia Eagles-

A season which started out so promising has slowly taken a turn for the worst as old habits return to the city of Brotherly love. After a week one victory against fellow NFC East team and bitter rivals the Redskins, Philadelphia took a big hit as they lost to the Chargers by a field goal. A few days later they played their most emotional game of the season as 14 year head coach at the team Andy Reid took his Chiefs to a 3-0 record leaving the team exhausted and scratching their heads. 

     Fatigue could be used as an excuse for the team after playing three games in just eleven days. With the tempo that Chip expects his offence to perform at it is obvious that the team will eventually get worn down. The signs have already become evident as star running back LeSean McCoy limped off the field at the end of the first half last Thursday with Vick also showing signs of light injury. If this hurry up style offence is going to work then the Eagles HAVE to stay in top condition. Fighting the unknown is a very hard thing to do, but fighting the unknown who simply give you the ball is a much easier feat to accomplish. The defense did show signs of improvement with a great job at getting the ball back for Michael and the offence but there is only so much the Defense can do if the Offence fail to score. They simply cannot turn the ball over five times and expect to win the match.
    The road from here on out does not get too much easier as they travel to the Denver Broncos next Sunday. Being captained by Peyton Manning and already stamping their authority over the much more tightly contested AFC West where all four teams have taken victories. The Broncos are now 3-0 after a huge victory over the Oakland Raiders where Manning yet again threw for 300 yards and left Oakland trailing 37-21. Still yet to record his first interception, the Eagles will travel to the Mile High stadium with an almighty task on their hands before they face divisional rivals, the struggling New York Giants.


New York Giants-

If you were to place a bet on the Giants going 0-3 in the 2013 season the returns would be huge. If you were to also put a bet on their game against the Panthers being a shutout and losing 38-0 you may very well have become a millionaire. If you also bet on Manning being sacked a whopping SEVEN yes SEVEN times then you could buy the entire franchise.
   New York have had their worst start to a season since 1996 and as if the odds of the Giants making the playoffs weren't low enough, only 3 of the 115 teams that have started 0-3 have reached the postseason. But why are such a prestigious team suffering so much? And why is it that Eli Manning is in a situation where he is being sacked three straight plays in a row?
 For starters the trademark New York "Pass rush" which was once something to be feared was non-existent, the running game ran for a hugely disappointing 17 yards in the first half with 14 coming from a desperate effort to escape being bought down a 23rd this season by Eli Manning. 
     As was the story in the Eagles loss, penalties played a big factor in overshadowing first downs and completely wrecking scoring field position. 
       With all of these factors, the Giants were nothing but a shadow of their 2012 form and it looks like it is going to continue unless something changes dramatically. Yes, the Carolina defense is very good and yes Cam Newton was on fire but the point is a loss is barely acceptable for a dynasty like the Giants, a big loss is angering but a shutout by 38 points must be sending big red warning lights straight to coach Coughlin. Is it time for a coach change or can the Giants break the trend of never making the playoffs after losing their opening three games? Only time will tell as they face the 3-0 Chiefs in week 4 and then Division rivals the Eagles in week 5. A game which both teams need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive and stop Dallas running into the sunset before the season hits the halfway mark. A lot will be on the line and it could very well come down to a few big plays from either team but one thing is for sure, the whole team needs to improve, and they need to do it now.


Washington Redskins- 

Griffin fumbles a promising run and gives Detroit a crucial touchdown.

Where do we start with the Redskins? Divisional champions last year and currently sit with 0 wins and 3 losses. RGIII came back from Knee Surgery after missing the pre season still searching for his earlier form in all 3 games. The defense with the exception of Riley in their first two games seemed to just not have the hunger they did last year. How can we prove this? They're on track for giving up the most yards in a single season and after 53 snaps of the ball in the first half alone against the Eagles, the Redskins are left searching for anything that is going to help them turn their season around.
      Their defense definitely showed signs of improvement against Detroit but it was the team on the other side of the football who let them down. The offense is still yet to produce that explosiveness that they dominated the 2012 season with.
     It doesn't help when Griffin rushes the football with a chance for a touchdown before tripping over and handing it to back to the Lions who as a result won the week 3 matchup 27-20. A reversed touchdown call came late in the fourth quarter which secured victory for Megatron and the Lions and as they head to a 2-1 record, the Redskins are still searching for that first win. Their next game is against Oakland before going into the bye, but Washington are confident that they can come out on top. We will see if that confident converts into success in under a weeks time.



The NFC East has shocked a lot of people this year with its lack of wins. The entire division is 1-7 against opponents who aren't in their divison with the only win coming from the Cowboys against the Rams. As we head towards the end of the first quarter of the season the division is looking to be the least impressive in the entire NFL. We will see how things change in the coming weeks. Can the Giants make history and bring their team to the playoffs? Can Dallas find their form and win their first divisional championship since 2009? Can the Redskins find their winning form from 2012 and just how long can the Eagles keep this high tempo offence running? All will be revealed in the next few weeks.

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Reid all about it- The Chiefs halt the high flying Eagles

Last night Andy Reid made his return to Lincoln Financial Field and was greeted with a warm welcome from the city of Brotherly Love but the reactions soon changed as the most successful coach in Eagles history showed the world that he has not lost his touch. 

The Gatorade bath ended an emotional game for Andy Reid

     The game could be summed up by just a single word. Well, maybe two. Mistakes and Turnovers. The mistakes started from the get go when the Eagles received the ball after an impressive defensive drive, Johnson who was meant to catch the ball did not get his elbows tucked in quick enough and the ball slipped from his grasp handing the Chiefs possession and ultimately a 3-0 lead. Things only seemed to get worse for the birds as Quarterback Michael Vick threw his first interception of the season on just his second pass resulting in a touchdown for the Kansas team. 
   From then on it was an uphill battle with glimmers of excellence from both teams being overshadowed by poor quality on both sides of the field. Michael Vick was causing a storm on the running game with a big 61 yard run down the field ending in a Touchdown pass to Jason Avant making the score 10-6. The extra point wasn't missed, in fact Chip being Chip having spent most of his career in the College ranks decided to go for the two pointer which was fended off by the Kansas Defense. 
    But what could overshadow such a great drive early on, numerous impressive runs by Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles and the ever exciting LeSean McCoy? Penalties. The Chiefs suffering numerous penalties for illegal formations whilst the Eagles had their own issues with plenty of holding and face mask calls by referee Walt Anderson.
       As mentioned earlier however, the two main words of the day were mistakes and turnovers. Kansas were able to force four turnovers on the Eagles offence but headed into the final quarter leading by a single touchdown. The statistic is quite puzzling as the Chiefs had so many chances given to them on a silver platter yet were unable to convert as the Eagles Defense kept the game within reach. But only just. 
   The Eagles were not the only team struggling with receiving it seems as McCluster dropped the ball on a reception a few minutes after Charles reeled in another 6 points, forcing Alex Smith to start his drive from their own five yard line.The momentum was evidently on the side of the birds but the Chiefs did a brilliant job at running the clock down taking out a massive 8 minutes on just one single drive. They drove it all the way to the 21 yard line and were able to kick for three points, extending their lead and surely putting the game beyond all reach.
   Philly weren't going to go down without a fight however as Vick and the recovering LeSean McCoy (who limped to the locker room before half time) were able to get another touchdown on the board making it a one score game as Shady took it to the house for another touchdown and another 100 yard rushing game for the Eagles running back.

Reid wins on his return and shakes hand with his replacement
Chip Kelly

   The final two minutes, the situation in which you would expect an Eagles team with the ball to excel considering their play style were simply disappointing. Vick had one last chance to tie the game but the Chiefs defense did a fantastic job at keeping the pride of Virginia tech at bay. They also did a great job marking DeSean Jackson all night long, he was able to make one big play for the offense but I'm sure it was in the game plan to make sure he does not get the football and more importantly does not score. A goal achieved by Kansas.
     The night was all about number 5 as Donovan McNabb retired his Eagles Jersey, the legendary Quarterback who worked so close with Andy Reid over his career was given a ceremony at half time. But upon reflection the number 5 cropped up numerous times. 5 forced Eagles Turnovers and 5 sacks on Michael Vick from the Chiefs Defense. 
  
      
 The game finished 26-16 to Kansas City who head off to face another NFC East team, this time the New York Giants who are on a slightly worrying 0-2 record so far. Eli Manning will be hungry to get himself and his team back to winning ways as they face the now 3-0 and surely confident Kansas City Chiefs.
      Philadelphia now have a much needed rest after playing 3 games in just 11 days but the storm may have only just begun as they will face star Quarterback Peyton Manning and his 2-0 Broncos in week 4. A game which is crucial to both parties and will be a spectacle for sure. 
       After a decimating win in week one and a loss in week 2, the Eagles sink to a 1-2 record. Have the other 31 teams finally found away to stop this hurry up offence or are the team just tired? When you play at that kind of pace for three games in eleven days then the offence is going to get worn down extremely easily. This is not an excuse however, a lot of flaws have come to light and they will all be addressed by Kelly in the coming days. But for Coach Andy Reid, he will leave Lincoln Financial Field as he has entered many times before in his fourteen year career at the team, a winner. 

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NFL The Power Players- Week 1

So Week 1 has been and gone along with some amazing plays, surprising results and unforgettable moments by some of the greatest athletes on the planet. But if you could make a dream team of the week filling each position with any player from any team, who would you pick? I have listed my dream team of the week for the opening week in the NFL below, feel free to share yours in the comments.
The team is based on-
4 offensive players
4 defensive players

Followed by my top 5 teams of the week.


Quarterback- Peyton Manning 
Team- Broncos
Yards-462
Touchdown passes-7
Pass completion- 27-42
Passer rating 141.1 

There was simply no better man to run an offence this weekend. Even more astounding, these statistics were recorded against the 2012 superbowl champions, the Baltimore Ravens. Manning lead his team to a more than impressive victory and has made a big statement that he wants to go all the way this season. 


Running Back- LeSean McCoy
Team- Eagles
Yards-184
Carries-34
Touchdowns-1
Average- 5.9

Shady McCoy returned to the field with a bang last night in Washington aiding the Eagles to beat the divisional champions 33-27. The new Chip Kelly offence suits both LeSean and Mike Vick so well as it is based around high tempo, short passes and runs. McCoy showed us exactly how dangerous this new College style offence is as he carried for 184 yards, constantly breaking through the Redskins defense who simply could not contain him. If you need a running back for your fantasy team this season, this is your guy!

Wide Receiver- Anquan Boldin

Team- 49ers
Receptions-13
Yards-208
Touchdowns-1

What a way to debut for a new team, Anquan Boldin helped Colin Kaepernick defeat the Green Bay Packers in what was simply an amazing matchup. Boldin and Kaepernick have a lot of chemistry and can easily be compared to the likes of Brady and Gronkowski. Boldin could be set for a big first season at San Francisco.


Tight End- Jared Cook
Team- Rams
Receptions-7
Yards-141
Touchdowns-2

For the first time in years, the Rams go 1-0 in their season opener. A lot of this was down to the performance of tight end Jared Cook who did exactly what a Tight End should be doing and picking up big yards when all receivers are locked down. Jared was exceptional bringing in two touchdowns. He looked very athletic right from the get go with a massive 47 yard catch and looked like superman when he scored his first of the day flying over the pylon. 



Outside Linebacker- Justin Houston
Team- Chiefs
Tackles-5
Sacks-3
Forced Fumbles-0

The Chiefs started their 2013 campaign the right way with a win over the Jaguars and a lot of that came down to some brilliant defensive work. Linebacker Justin Houston sacked the Quarterback 3 times along with making 5 tackles. Not only does this put him at the top of the scoreboard for most sacks in the league but it sends a clear message that the 24 year old means business.


Safety- LaRon Landry
Team-Colts
Tackles-15
Sacks-0
Forced Fumbles-0

LaRon was simply outstanding last night, the colts were good on offence scoring in 3 of the 4 quarters but it was Landry who did all the damage on Defense, preventing any attack that came his way with a massive 15 tackles against the Oakland Raiders. He was quick, decisive and more importantly didn't give away any silly penalties. A very mature and steady mindset is needed to play the Safety position, and LaRon is at the top of his game.



Defensive Back- Dimitri Patterson
Team- Dolphins
Sacks-0
Interceptions-2
Interception yards-2
Tackles-2

Ex Eagle Dimitri Patterson's 7th season in the NFL got underway this weekend and to mark such an occasion, the Defensive back made two interceptions and became the heart of the Dolphins defense. The line came alive after the first but as soon as Dimitri made the second Interception it was clear that the defense was more than fired up and ready to get the ball back in their control. The end result, a 23-10 victory.



Corner Back- Charles Tillman 
Team- Bears
Sacks-0
Interceptions-2
Interception yards-41
Tackles-7

Possibly the most up and down game of the weekend came from 11 season veteran Charles Tillman. From 2 interceptions and a 41 yard return one minute to an entire defensive series spent on the sidelines to get hydrated. The team had nothing but praise for Charles but it is difficult to ignore the troubles he had holding off Green who had 9 receptions for 162 yards with 2 touchdowns. But overall, the 7 tackles he made along with two big interceptions meant that he played a vital role in the Bears opening game.


POWER 5 TEAMS OF THE WEEK

1. Denver Broncos

2. New Orleans Saints

3. Kansas City Chiefs

4. Philadelphia Eagles

5. San Francisco 49ers

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NFL The Power 5:- teams to keep a close eye on this season

Football season is almost upon us with pre-season games hitting their fourth and final week. Now Pre-Season isn't a fully accurate representation of what we could see in the NFL but there are some encouraging signs and some teams who will most definitely be on the hunt for the Lombardi trophy this season.

 5) Miami Dolphins 
 Like many in their debut season, Ryan Tannehill showed glimpses of greatness. In week 4 against the Arizona Cardinals, Tannehill threw for a very impressive 431 yards whilst in others he simply could not deliver. But overall, the rookie out of Texas also became the fifth quarterback in team history to surpass 3,000 passing yards in a season. Couple that with the addition of receiver Mike Wallace and there is no reason why the Dolphins can't be one of the most intimidating offences in the NFL and challenging for a play off spot at the end of the season.


4) Detroit Lions
The Lions have had a great pre season so far including a demolishing victory over the Patriots. Matt Stafford has been on unrelenting form as of late and is going to be one of the most powerful quarterbacks in the NFL this season. Calvin Johnson has the potential as he always does to make some of the most important catches a receiver can make a long with some of the most impressive. If LeShoure can avoid injury and Reggie Bush can chip in where needed, this could be the balance the offence so desperately craved last year.
     The team suffered a horrible record last season but with the NFC West becoming one of the most unpredictable divisions in the league, this could be the year they return to the top.

3)San Fransisco                
  So close yet so far, the 49ers will be looking to come back with a vengance this season as they look to return to the Superbowl for the second year running. You could argue that out of the big 4 Quarterbacks going into this season, (Kaepernick, RGIII, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson) that The Nevada star comes the most equipped. With a Bazooka for an arm and the agility of a Moto GP rider, Colin is always going to be a threat no matter what defensive line you put in front of him. 
   The defense is also going to be extremely fired up. For the third year running the line will compete as one of the best in the league, not just the division or the conference, the league. Eric Reid will start as free safety in week 1, and for the LSU rookie this could be the opportunity he needs. With one of the best defensive units in the league, he can learn so much and really take the first step on the road to greatness. 
    There are not many teams in the NFL where you look at them and expect them to make the play offs year upon year yet the 49ers constantly exceed our expectations with demolishing defeats and sheer fire to make the play offs and ultimately lift the Lombardi trophy.

2) Seattle
If there really is a war forming between the Seahawks and the 49ers in the NFC West then Two words are going to turn it into a nuclear battle, Russell Wilson. He was absolutely sensational last year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 26 touchdowns against 10 interceptions for a 100 passer rating. Now THAT does not come easy in your first season as a QB. So just how much of an impact did he make? The Seahawks posted an 11-5 record in 2012, the third most wins in franchise history and went undefeated at home for only the third time in franchise history.
     It isn't all down to Wilson however, the defense who started with a 4-4 record helped turn the season around to lose just one more game of the remaining 8. With the signing of nickel corner Antoine Winfield as well, the Seahawks are entering 2013 with VERY few weaknesses.

1) Philadelphia
Okay so the Eagles may not be Superbowl material just year but with the departure of head coach Andy Reid and the arrival of ex Oregon coach Chip Kelly, it's clear to see in the pre season alone that the Eagles offence has been completely reformed. Every play has the ability to turn into the pace seen in a 2 minute offence with a consistent run of first downs and the defense are no longer left picking up pieces but in face helping to lead the charge to restore the Eagles to their former glory.
     Kelly named Vick as the starting QB this season and Mike himself has said all pre season long that he has nothing but praise for the new playing style and you can see this in his opening pre season games. Vicks accuracy and ability to out run most defensive players helps to slot him in perfectly to this new playbook.
   Nick Foles the man who replaced the injured Vick last season will sit in at number two but it seems he reacted to the news of not getting the number one spot just as Chip intended as he completed 10/11 throws against the Jaguars helping the Eagles reach a 31-24 victory.
    McCoy is also looking as dangerous as ever along with tight end Celek and the ever impressive DeSean Jackson, this could be the year the Eagles look competitive again. But to do that they need to overthrow the highly rated Redskins in week one of the regular season in the NFC East rivalry game. 
  

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