Football is finally here! We got a taste of the action on Thursday with that crazy Chiefs-Patriots game, but the first NFL Sunday of the year really marks the beginning for me. The non-stop action during the day, checking fantasy, and bitching about the Eagles will be in full effect from now until January (or ideally longer than that.) For my final installment in this series, I will do a quick rundown of each game coming up this season with my predictions for how I think this Eagles season will turn out.
Eagles @ Washington Redskins
The Eagles open the season off on the road 4 out of the first 6 games starting in Washington. Washington has had the Eagles number for the last three seasons, but I think this is the perfect opportunity for the Birds to get the monkey off their back. It won't be as easy game, but I like the match ups on both sides of the ball. Our defensive line should be stopping the Redskins weak run game and getting to Cousins early and often, and I like how our offense matches up against the Redskins banged up defense. I think this will be a close one, but the Eagles will ultimately come out on top.
Result: Win, 24-14
Eagles @ Kansas City Chiefs
Its kind of unfair for me to predict this now that I saw the Chiefs shit all over the defending Super Bowl champs, but I had this as a loss anyway. I don't think that the Chiefs are unstoppable, however, and I think the Birds will bring them back to earth slightly in what turns out to be a back and forth game. Andy Reid really saved his time outs on Thursday against the Pats, and I think ultimately his coaching ability against his former understudy is what will give the Chiefs an advantage in this one.
Result: Loss, 28-21
Eagles vs. New York Giants
Coming off a loss to the Chiefs, the Eagles get right back into an NFC East matchup against the Giants. We've owned the Giants over the past couple of seasons, but I think coming off two road games and a loss the Eagles drop this first one against the Giants. It will be another hard fought game, but I think ultimately Odell balls out on our secondary and Eagles fans start getting a little antsy after this one.
Result: Loss, 31-21
Eagles @ Los Angeles Chargers
Back on the road again, the Eagles get an opportunity to face a team which I believe is one of the more overrated in the entire league. After two embarrassing defensive efforts, the Eagles lock shit down in LA and send their fair weather fans home not carrying any more or less about the team then they did before. Wentz also shreds their subpar defense for a nice bounce back after two down weeks.
Result: Win, 35-17
Eagles vs. Arizona Cardinals
Riding momentum back from a big win and trying to do right by the fans after the Giants game, the Eagles show out against the Cardinals at home here. David Johnson gets shut down by our defense and Palmer faces constant pressure throughout. Cardinals defense keeps it close, but Wentz and the offense do just enough to get the job done.
Result: Win, 24-10
Eagles @ Carolina Panthers
This game would typically worry me a lot more, but the biggest factor will be Cam Newton's health. If he plays this prediction could be totally different. Not knowing what to expect, I think the Eagles sneak out a win here. It will be a defensive struggle, as both defenses match up well against the opposing offense here. May come down to a Caleb Sturgis field goal or key special teams play.
Result: Win, 17-14
Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
For whatever reason, the Eagles have shined brightest in prime time division games over the past couple of seasons (save for last years botched Cowboys game). I think now that they have proven to be able to beat the Redskins, they will start doing so with more frequency. I think this is one of those memorable Eagles games, with a dominant performance from the entire team. Fans will start getting really excited for what is ahead, with the Eagles sitting at 5-2 after this one.
Result: Win, 35-14
Eagles vs. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are a joke, and the Eagles keep it rolling through this game as well. 49ers may cause a brief scare and score first, but ultimately the Birds take care of business.
Result: Win, 28-7
Eagles vs. Denver Broncos
This game to me seems like one of those games the Eagles should probably win, but will find a way to lose. The Broncos dominant defense sends our surging offense down to earth, and our defense can't do enough to stop the Broncos outside receiving threat. They head into the bye week with a lot to work on to make sure they stay in this division race.
Result: Loss, 20-13
Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Coming off the bye week, I think the Eagles drop this game. They still have nightmares from what went wrong last season during this prime time game in Dallas, and this is one of those games our run defense just can't stop Zeke. It'll be shootout, but ultimately I think we come a little bit flat-footed out of the bye. Cue Eagles fans hysterics after this one.
Result: Loss, 24-17
Eagles vs. Chicago Bears
After winning 5 in a row, followed by two head scratching losses, the Birds return home to the perfect opponent. The Bears lack a lot of talent in key positions and the Eagles will capitalize on both sides of the ball. Alshon has a big game against his former squad, and this one is wrapped up pretty early in the fourth quarter.
Result: Win, 31-10
Eagles @ Seattle Seahawks
I've had this pegged as a loss from the beginning. The Seahawks matchup really well against any offense, and I think Russell Wilson gives our defense problems with his ability to get outside of the pocket. Being on the road doesn't help here. The Eagles keep within distance for a possible comeback, but ultimately come up short.
Result: Loss, 24-14
Eagles @ Los Angeles Rams
Staying out on the West Coast to practice for our second tour in LA will be an interesting challenge for this team, but one I think ultimately brings them closer together as a group for these games down the stretch. Wentz has a lot to prove against the guy that was taken one pick before him, and he has a career game against a depleted Rams defense. Goff and Co, can't put anything together, and the Eagles come away with one of their more overall impressive victories of the year.
Result: Win, 38-3
Eagles @ New York Giants
Coming into this game the Eagles record will stand at 8-5, and the Giants won't be too far away from this mark going into this game either. This game will be a blood bath, with both defenses shutting the other teams offense down for large portions of the game. Wentz comes into MetLife and puts the team on his back to take this one on the road, putting the Eagles in prime position to win the division in by getting one more win out the final two.
Result: Win, 21-20
Eagles vs. Oakland Raiders
The Eagles come into this game looking to lock up the division with one more win. In what proves to be a shootout, I think they come up short in this one. I can see Derek Carr's offense shredding our defense as they look to lock up their playoff position as well. It will be a close, entertaining game on Christmas Day, but will most likely leave Eagles fans feeling supremely on edge heading into the division clinching game against Dallas the following week.
Result: Loss, 38-35
Eagles vs. Dallas Cowboys
It all comes down to this game. Dallas starts the season off hot, riding Zeke's free man tour to a division leading start. However, down the stretch things start getting tougher for this young team, and the Eagles, Giants, and Dallas are within games of each other for first. The Eagles wind up sending the Giants into a tailspin after their loss two weeks prior, and Dallas suprises by beating Seattle heading into this matchup, leaving both teams at 9-6 and battling for the division crown. The Eagles do not let down at home, and the legend of Carson Wentz is born, leading the Eagles on a big drive early in the 4th so Philadelphia can start its New Years celebration early. Eagles return to the postseason for the first time since 2010.
Result: Win, 28-17
Final results: Eagles, 10-6, win NFC East, finish as the 4 seed for the playoffs.
As I highlighted in my team preview articles, there are some key factors that need to go right for this team to have this finish. I think they will play up to their potential in those areas. Just looking at the schedule, I think that we match up well against a lot of these teams. The biggest gripe that people have with the schedule is the road heavy start to the season, but if the Eagles survive that as I predicted, we should be in for a great season. Go Birds!