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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

54. . NFC. East. Philadelphia Eagles. 2. player

The Philadelphia Eagles missed the playoffs last season. Apparently, despite a second consecutive winning season, that was enough for head coach Chip Kelly to blow up the franchise in a shocking way. The Eagles watched as Jeremy Maclin, Todd Herremans and Trent Cole left while trading away Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy, bringing in Sam Bradford and Kiko Alonso. Additionally, Philadelphia signed Byron Maxwell and DeMarco Murray while letting the ineffective Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher hit the road.

The stunning transformation has many scratching their heads, wondering exactly how things will play out in the city of Brotherly Love. So how can this group make the playoffs? It must come together. Philadelphia still has talent with a former first-round pick in Bradford and an exciting rookie receiver in Nelson Agholor. Despite the release of Pro Bowl guard Evan Mathis, the line still has Jason Peters at left tackle and Jason Kelce at center.

Kelly will need to develop this team throughout the summer, getting so cohesion before the Eagles open the season against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. The offense has ample playmakers led by Murray, along with Agholor, Jordan Matthews, Riley Cooper, Darren Sproles and Brent Celek. If Bradford can stay healthy after watching his last two seasons end prematurely with torn ACLs, the offense should be humming.

Without question, Kelly has a major task on his hands. The defense appears to be better with Maxwell and Alonso in house, something that takes a bit of the pressure off Bradford. If the running game can get rolling and stay consistent behind the re-shuffled offensive line, Philadelphia could challenge the Cowboys for the NFC East crown.

Next: New York Giants

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