10 biggest surprise NFL teams thus far on the season

Philadelphia Eagles: 0-2

Here’s another team for whom our expectations were far higher. We had questions about whether head coach Chip Kelly’s plans would work or not, but I don’t think many of us thought this team—particularly this offense—would be this disjointed and poor.

Sam Bradford may be very confident that the offense will turn things around per Darryl Slater of NJ.com, but it’s hard to imagine it happening against the New York Jets’ defense. Not with the offensive line as shaky as it’s been for the Eagles.

This is not what we expected, but there are a couple of good reasons for it and, even better for Eagles fans, it could be just a short-term issue.

Evan Mathis and Todd Herremans are both gone, and while Herremans in particular was already absent virtually all of the 2014 NFL season due to injury, that’s two pieces of the interior line who are different this year. That certainly has impacted how the line has played, and it’s clear that they have not quite gelled as a unit.

That’s probably the biggest issue on offense – and yes that includes some terrible play by Bradford and bad start for DeMarco Murray (both of which we’ll deal with in a second). However, the upside is that as the year progresses, this unit will improve, which will make a big difference for the rest of the offense.

Of course, you need Bradford to get his act together. What’s disappointing about his struggles this year is that this offense should be easy to get his head around. It is supposed to be closer to what he did in college, but something isn’t clicking for him. He looks lost and has consistently made poor decisions.

There’s more – DeMarco Murray’s lack of pop, the defensive injuries and struggles – but those are the two biggest things. The offensive line will come along, of that I am sure. The question is, can Sam Bradford?

Next: New York Jets: 2-0