Schedule Predictions…Can the Eagles Repeat?!

We are roughly a month away from the NFL pre-season, which is one step closer to the NFL regular season, that we have all been anticipating as Eagles fans. The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in uncharted territory as they will have a huge target on their backs as they try to defend their title as the 2017 Super Bowl Champions. It will be very intriguing to see how the overall team responds, being that they have NEVER been in this position their entire existence.  Listed below will include the full schedule of Philly’s 2018 opponents.  During this post, I will give some very early predictions on who I think will win within the weeks.

Week 1: Atlanta Falcons: In no shape or form do I see the Eagles losing this game, or even struggling against the Atlanta Falcons. Home field advantage will defiantly play a key role in this Eagles victory. This game will indeed the NFL Kickoff opener, and the return of should have been league MVP Carson Wentz. There is no way the energy in the building will allow Atlanta to pull anything together.

Week 2:  @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers: This is a game I will personally be attending, so i hope can get it done, which I highly anticipate them to do. The 3 game suspension to Bucs QB Jamies Winston, will prove crucial in the Eagles Win, the defensive unit should weak havoc against their backup QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Week 3:  Indianapolis Colts: Another game back at home for Philly, against a weak defense and a QB in Andrew Luck who has not taken a snap since the 2016 season…Eagles with another W.

Week 4  @ Tennessee Titans: This game will be closer than many think, but I will give the slight edge to the Eagles in this situation. Philly has proven that they are capable of stretching the ball down the field, with their deep passing game, which is something Tennessee’s defense has struggled with defensively over the past few seasons. It will also be interesting to see how Titans RB Derrick Henry fairs against Philly’s #1 ranked run defense. Hopefully the Eagles can bottle him up, forcing the Titans offense to become one-dimensional, relying on the arm of the turnover prone QB Marcus Mariota

FIRST QUARTER RECORD: (4-0) 

 

Week 5: (L) @ Minnesota Vikings: Many Eagles fans will be upset with my selection for this pick, but I just have to report the facts. Do you I want Philadelphia to win? OF COURSE I DO, but with the addition of QB Kirk Cousins I believe it will pay dividends for them throughout the season. Cousin has proved to be an Eagle killer in his earlier days as a Redskin, having career games against us. I believe this game will be close, around a score of 13-10. The Vikings have a lot to prove after being embarrassed last year losing the NFC Championship to the Eagles the year prior, and I believe Minessota is a team that has improved, and will be longing their revenge against the Philly faithful.

Week 6: (L) New York Giants: This may come as a surprise to many, being that the Eagles always seem to have the Giants number, but I believe Saquon Barkley and the new dynamic offensive unit including a healthy Odell Beckham Jr.  will catch the Eagles off guard. You have to let the little brother win every once and a while. The Eagles will also be worn out from the physical game they played 4 days prior, being that this is a Thursday night game. Philly will bounce back in their second meeting.

Week 7:  Carolina Panthers: There is no denying that Can Newton is the man, but he has proven time and time again that he is not the best QB under pressure, and he tends to force the ball into bad spots if the defense does not allow him to escape the pocket and run. Jim Shwatz defense should eat, getting to Newton early and often.

Week 8: (L) Jacksonville Jaguars: Both teams will be on the road as this game will be played in London! This is the very first time the Eagles have ever flown over sea’s for a game. The Jags have been dubbed as the “UK Jaguars: after the impressive perfomances winning in London for two consecutive seasons, so I will assume they have the edge and also the personel t match up with, and beat Philadelphia. I never thought I would ever say this, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are a strong contender for next years Super Bowl.

SECOND QUARTER RECORD (5-3) 

Week 9: BYE WEEK

Week 10: (W)Dallas Cowboys: Despite their 3 losses, the Eagles will be fresh and ready to go after resting well the week before against the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone knows what Cowboys week entails…hate…Hate…AND MORE HATE! With this being said, I find it highly unlikely for Dallas to pull anything together with their lack of offensive talent.

Week 11: @(L) New Orleans Saints: The Saints offensive lineup is scary, they posses many weapons that they Eagles may not have answers for early, and I believe the Saints will get off to a fast start against the Eagles. Despite a better second half showing, the Eagles will not be able to dig themselves out of the hole dug by Drew Brees and Alvin Kamara.

Week 12:(W) New York Giants: The Eagles caching staff will make the necessary adjustments to win this game, as opposed to what they did the last. In recent history, the Eagles usually do no lose to a divison foe twice in the same season. Addtionally, despite the weapons provided for Giants QB Eli Manning, I do not see he himself evelvating the team down the road, I see him preventing the team with his costly turnovers.

Week 13:  Washington Redskins: Offseason improvement? Where? If anything, I think the Washington Redskins have gotten progressively worse. Even though the Redskins beat the Eagles 6 times from 2014-2016, that trend changed in 2017, with the Eagles sweeping the Skins in their two game series. I expect them to do the same in 2018.

THIRD QUARTER RECORD (7-5) 

 

Week 14: @ Dallas Cowboys: Like i previously stated…we all know what the Eagles and Cowboys rivalry entails. Eventhough the game will be in Dallas Texas, Philadelphia has proven that the can win in AT&T stadium time and time again. I expect RB Elliot to be the focus of the Cowboys game, but after the Eagles bottle him up, Dallas will rely on the arm of their QB Dak Prescott, and we have seen before that he is not we really think he is.

Week 15  @ L.A Rams: Revenge is a dish best served cold. This will be a revenge game, because the last time the Eagles faced the Rams in 2017, despite the W, their leader Carson Wentz suffered a season ending ACL injury. I fully expect Wentz to go beast mode against this defense ripping them apart. BOLD PREDICTION: Wentz will throw for 4 TD’s.

Week 16:  Houston Texans: This game will feature a duel between the leagues top up and coming QB’s Desaun Watson and Carson Wentz. Ironically enough, both of them were sidelined early last season in 2017 due to an ACL injury. Houston has quite the defense, so I do expect this game to be closer than some think, but I ultimately beleive the Eagles will prevail.

Week 17  @ Washington Redskins: Is there even much to say? EAGLES WITH THE W. Well hold on, let me rephrase that. By this point in time, the Philadelphia Eagles may have already secure their position in the NFC Playoff Race, so they may be looking to rest their starters for the incoming playoff tournament…but even they do that…I still do not see Washington’s starter beating or back ups. Sorry not sorry.

 

FINAL *EARLY* RECORD PREDICTION (11-5)