Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off a 10-6 year last season, the Philadelphia Eagles look to improve their high flying offense as well as their struggling run defense. Last season the Eagles had trouble stopping the run and it had killed them in the post season against the New Orleans Saints. This year is different, the Eagles have been looking sharp in the preseason and have been mixing it up on both sides of the ball. 
Newly acquired QB Mark Sanchez will get some reps in the preseason game against the Chicago Bears and is very excited with taking on the task. “I’m just excited about the chance to play again,” Sanchez said after a walk-through yesterday. “I feel good. If I’m healthy, like I am, there’s really nothing to worry about. I approach it like any other season. Sure, anything can happen, but I’m expecting some good stuff.” As of right now Sanchez is the number 2 QB behind starter Nick Foles. Third string QB Matt Barkley is fighting for the second position as well, but coach Chip Kelly will not make a decision about the second string QB until preseason has ended.
Darren Sporles and Josh Huff may get to see some action in the first game as well. Both looked very comfortable with the offense. Sproles has looked a lot quicker coming in and out of cuts during preseason and has gotten used to the offense pretty quick. He understand his assignments and has worked hard in the offseason.
What to watch out for?
Look for the Eagles to switch up their defensive sets and blitz more often. In the first half last season, the Eagles could not apply the pressure they needed in order to get turnovers or get their opponents off the field on third downs. Look to see if outside LB Marcus Smith plays up to the potential the Eagles’ organization believes that he can. We could possibly see him get over anxious, because this is his first start in the NFL.
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly says he just doesn’t want to see his first-round pick get overwhelmed by the moment Friday.” I have the same expectations [for everyone],” Kelly said Wednesday. “It doesn’t matter if you were the first pick or you were an undrafted free agent or we signed you in the off‑season. We don’t have any different expectations for Marcus than we do for DT Beau Allen.
“It’s really a chance to get to see guys in live action with officials in a different setting and see which guys can show up a little bit, and that’s the interesting thing of this, there’s going to be some guys that I think maybe someone didn’t have an idea where they were going to be, and there’s going to be some other guys that maybe will disappoint, but you don’t know until you can put them into action.”
Chicago Bears
The biggest concern that the Bears will face is who will get the starting safety job. In the past few year the Bears have been mortified by defenders that could not hold up their part with getting the opposing teams off the field and not getting beat over the top. With the very first start of the preseason this will be what fans, coaches, and other teams will be looking for with the Bears.
Chicago used its first-round selection this May on Kyle Fuller, an explosive, 6-foot defensive back. Fuller can basically play anywhere in the secondary. He might eventually be used at safety, but it sounds like he’ll be utilized at outside cornerback across from Charles Tillman, with Tim Jennings moving inside to nickel.
Another concern that the Bears face is protecting their franchise QB Jay Cutler. Culter is one of the QB’s in the league that takes way too many hits and sacks. Before he was injured last season, Cutler often had to use his legs to create plays because he was getting pressured before he could get an accurate ball down the field. Improving the line would help strengthen the pass protection and give him time to deliver passes to the open person.
What to watch out for?
Look to see if the defensive line could get pressure on the Eagles’ QB’s. They have to secure and maintain their assignments and not give up that big play down the field. Also look to see in his first NFL game if Kyle Fuller can impact the game with his presence. He is very talented on the field and has just a positive mindset that is contagious to people around him.
