Eagles predictions
Hey all,
Given the Eagles' preseason game yesterday, I guess I'll make my regular season predictions. The first-team offense looked pretty good yesterday, with McNabb nimbly dodging Steelers' rushers and making some impressive throws. The first-team defense needs some work--the run defense was awful, Lito got burned a number of occasions, and Dawk looked lost on that Steelers' TD--but I think they'll get that squared away. With this in mind, I might change these after watching some more preseason games, but the team is on my mind, so I figured I'd take my shot now.
9/7 - St. Louis
St. Louis went 3-13 last year. I think they'll be better than that this year, but not in this game. Eagles 31, Rams 17 (Overall record: 1-0)
9/15 - at Dallas (Mon. Night)
As much as it pains me to do this, I'm going to predict that the Eagles lose this game. Dallas always starts off hot, and they'll be pretty pumped up and ready to go for Monday Night Football. The Eagles might pull a rabbit out of their hats and win this one, but for the past few years, Dallas has played tough until around Thanksgiving. Cowfucks 31, Eagles 24 (Overall record: 1-1)
9/21 - Pittsburgh
This is a tough game to predict. I don't think that highly of Pittsburgh this year, and Andy Reid's teams don't generally lose two games in a row. Still, Pittsburgh is an AFC team, and they always play the Eagles tough. Remember that thwomping a few years back, with T.O. angrily chasing McNabb around the sidelines and McNabb ignoring him? The city will go wild with rumors of Lurie firing Andy Reid, but thankfully, Lurie will have the foresight to see this season through. Steelers 17, Eagles 14 (Overall record: 1-2)
9/28 - at Chicago (Sun. Night)
After losing 2 straight, the Eagles will get pumped up and pissed off. Plus, McNabb loves playing at Soldier Field in front of his friends and family. Eagles 38, Bears 12 (Overall record: 2-2)
10/5 - Washington
This game could be tricky, especially if the Eagles' run D is as bad as it showed last night and if the 'Skins o-line and running backs remain healthy. Still, the game is at home, and the Redskins will be primed for a QB controversy, with Brennan waiting in the wings. Eagles 24, Redskins 20 (Overall record: 3-2)
10/12 - at San Francisco
I wonder if the Niners are ever going to figure out that Alex Smith + Martz's offensive system = disaster. I still can't figure out why they don't run the ball with Gore (yes, I understand he was hurt last year, but still) and let Smith dump the ball off to his tight ends and receivers. At any rate, the Eagles will clobber the Niners in this game, sending the team into the bye week with a winning record. Eagles 41, 49ers 16 (Overall record: 4-2)
10/19 - Bye
This is the week where Philly fans sit around lazily, wondering why baseball is over, hockey and basketball haven't started, and how miserable life would be without professional sports to occupy our time. Bye week record: Yuengling Lager 37, Mike 0
10/26 - Atlanta
Playing the Eagles after an off-week is going to be a miserable situation for Atlanta. Who is their QB again? Bob Dole? Eagles 30, Falcons 6 (Overall record: 5-2)
11/2 - at Seattle
I don't like this game at all. Seattle isn't as good as the Eagles this year, but Holmgren always seems to game plan well for Andy Reid teams and their running game will be better this year with the addition of Julius Jones. Plus, East Coast teams tend to have a tough time traveling to the West Coast, and the Eagles will be thinking ahead to next week's critical matchup against the Giants. Call this one an upset. Seahawks 27, Eagles 19 (Overall record: 5-3)
11/9 - New York Giants (Sun. Night)
This is going to be a huge game. I think the Eagles are going to come in pissed, especially considering last year's debacles against the Giants. Plus, the game is at home, on a Sunday night. Eagles 30, Giants 20 (Overall record: 6-3)
11/16 - at Cincinnati
At this point, the entire Bengals team will be in jail, with the exception of P Kyle Larson and third-string left tackle Dan Uperesa. Just kidding. This game is tough to predict, especially before seeing how well the Bengals mesh, given the ridiculous amount of controversy surrounding the team with Chad Johnson and all of the issues with indicted players. With the way that the team fell apart last year, I'm inclined to believe that they'll fall apart again. Eagles 28, Bengals 17 (Overall record: 7-3)
11/23 - at Baltimore
Another team without a quarterback. You really have to sit back and wonder if the NFL was throwing us a softball with this out-of-division schedule. Poor Jon Harbaugh is going to wish he was still working for his former team. Eagles 35, Ravens 13 (Overall record: 8-3)
11/27 - Arizona (Thurs. Night)
Well, this is interesting. The Eagles are playing on Thanksgiving... Against the Cardinals? Huh? At any rate, I think Wisenhunt is going to continue to improve this team, but it's not going to help on a cold Philadelphia night, amidst tens of thousands of drunk Philadelphians, fresh from tailgating with roast turkey and stuffing. Eagles 27, Cards 13 (Overall record: 9-3)
12/7 - at New York Giants
I'm really not sure what to think of the Giants this year. I think that they're going to take a step backwards this year, with Strahan retired and Burress fighting some muscle pulls in his legs. I also really don't think they can sustain the level of play that took them to the title last year. Still, it's the Giants, so I'm inclined to believe that we'll split with them. Giants 20, Eagles 13 (Overall record: 9-4)
12/15 - Cleveland (Mon. Night)
This is one of the toughest games to predict. Cleveland played great football last year, nearly making the playoffs. The biggest question mark is at the quarterback position. Can Derek Anderson continue to play at such a high level? He definitely has the receivers to do it, with Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, and Joe Jurevicius, but can running back Jamal Lewis stay healthy this year? And what's going on with the defense? Still, it's Monday Night Football in Philadelphia, and the division crown will still be up for grabs, so you know the Eagles will be properly motivated. Tough game to predict. Eagles 27, Browns 24 (Overall record: 10-4)
12/21 - at Washington
At this point, the 'Skins will be out of the playoff hunt. You hate to play a team with nothing to lose in their house, but I think the Eagles will survive. Eagles 20, 'Skins 16 (Overal record: 11-4)
12/28 - Dallas
I like to believe that this will be a game that determines who will win the NFC East and who will gain a wild card berth. Romo has a tendency to choke in these kinds of situations, and I think that trend continues in front of thousands of bloodthirsty Eagles' fans. McNabb plays one of his best games as an Eagle, and Asante Samuel comes up with a late pick, killing a Cowboys' rally and sending the Birds to a first-round bye. Eagles 38, Cowboys 35 (Overall record: 12-4)
Ok, 12-4 is a best-case scenario. More likely than not, the Eagles find some way to fuck up a few of those games that they should win, finishing with a record closer to 9-7 or 10-6. After all, this is the Eagles we're talking about.
Do they have the talent to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl? Hard to say. It depends on a lot of things, including team health, the quality of coaching, whether veterans like Dawk still have some gas in the tank, and whether kids like Bradley are ready to step up for the big show. Still, I think this is a playoff team, and although it's probably more likely that they'll get there with a wild card bid, I like to think that they'll pull a quick one on the Cowboys and win the division. A man can dream, can't he?
I'll revisit these picks again after the preseason and throughout the season, but for now, back to the Phillies. Speaking of our baseball team, I took my dad to last night's debacle for Father's Day. WTF? They haven't scored one fucking run over the past 23 innings. This is ridiculous.
Given the Eagles' preseason game yesterday, I guess I'll make my regular season predictions. The first-team offense looked pretty good yesterday, with McNabb nimbly dodging Steelers' rushers and making some impressive throws. The first-team defense needs some work--the run defense was awful, Lito got burned a number of occasions, and Dawk looked lost on that Steelers' TD--but I think they'll get that squared away. With this in mind, I might change these after watching some more preseason games, but the team is on my mind, so I figured I'd take my shot now.
9/7 - St. Louis
St. Louis went 3-13 last year. I think they'll be better than that this year, but not in this game. Eagles 31, Rams 17 (Overall record: 1-0)
9/15 - at Dallas (Mon. Night)
As much as it pains me to do this, I'm going to predict that the Eagles lose this game. Dallas always starts off hot, and they'll be pretty pumped up and ready to go for Monday Night Football. The Eagles might pull a rabbit out of their hats and win this one, but for the past few years, Dallas has played tough until around Thanksgiving. Cowfucks 31, Eagles 24 (Overall record: 1-1)
9/21 - Pittsburgh
This is a tough game to predict. I don't think that highly of Pittsburgh this year, and Andy Reid's teams don't generally lose two games in a row. Still, Pittsburgh is an AFC team, and they always play the Eagles tough. Remember that thwomping a few years back, with T.O. angrily chasing McNabb around the sidelines and McNabb ignoring him? The city will go wild with rumors of Lurie firing Andy Reid, but thankfully, Lurie will have the foresight to see this season through. Steelers 17, Eagles 14 (Overall record: 1-2)
9/28 - at Chicago (Sun. Night)
After losing 2 straight, the Eagles will get pumped up and pissed off. Plus, McNabb loves playing at Soldier Field in front of his friends and family. Eagles 38, Bears 12 (Overall record: 2-2)
10/5 - Washington
This game could be tricky, especially if the Eagles' run D is as bad as it showed last night and if the 'Skins o-line and running backs remain healthy. Still, the game is at home, and the Redskins will be primed for a QB controversy, with Brennan waiting in the wings. Eagles 24, Redskins 20 (Overall record: 3-2)
10/12 - at San Francisco
I wonder if the Niners are ever going to figure out that Alex Smith + Martz's offensive system = disaster. I still can't figure out why they don't run the ball with Gore (yes, I understand he was hurt last year, but still) and let Smith dump the ball off to his tight ends and receivers. At any rate, the Eagles will clobber the Niners in this game, sending the team into the bye week with a winning record. Eagles 41, 49ers 16 (Overall record: 4-2)
10/19 - Bye
This is the week where Philly fans sit around lazily, wondering why baseball is over, hockey and basketball haven't started, and how miserable life would be without professional sports to occupy our time. Bye week record: Yuengling Lager 37, Mike 0
10/26 - Atlanta
Playing the Eagles after an off-week is going to be a miserable situation for Atlanta. Who is their QB again? Bob Dole? Eagles 30, Falcons 6 (Overall record: 5-2)
11/2 - at Seattle
I don't like this game at all. Seattle isn't as good as the Eagles this year, but Holmgren always seems to game plan well for Andy Reid teams and their running game will be better this year with the addition of Julius Jones. Plus, East Coast teams tend to have a tough time traveling to the West Coast, and the Eagles will be thinking ahead to next week's critical matchup against the Giants. Call this one an upset. Seahawks 27, Eagles 19 (Overall record: 5-3)
11/9 - New York Giants (Sun. Night)
This is going to be a huge game. I think the Eagles are going to come in pissed, especially considering last year's debacles against the Giants. Plus, the game is at home, on a Sunday night. Eagles 30, Giants 20 (Overall record: 6-3)
11/16 - at Cincinnati
At this point, the entire Bengals team will be in jail, with the exception of P Kyle Larson and third-string left tackle Dan Uperesa. Just kidding. This game is tough to predict, especially before seeing how well the Bengals mesh, given the ridiculous amount of controversy surrounding the team with Chad Johnson and all of the issues with indicted players. With the way that the team fell apart last year, I'm inclined to believe that they'll fall apart again. Eagles 28, Bengals 17 (Overall record: 7-3)
11/23 - at Baltimore
Another team without a quarterback. You really have to sit back and wonder if the NFL was throwing us a softball with this out-of-division schedule. Poor Jon Harbaugh is going to wish he was still working for his former team. Eagles 35, Ravens 13 (Overall record: 8-3)
11/27 - Arizona (Thurs. Night)
Well, this is interesting. The Eagles are playing on Thanksgiving... Against the Cardinals? Huh? At any rate, I think Wisenhunt is going to continue to improve this team, but it's not going to help on a cold Philadelphia night, amidst tens of thousands of drunk Philadelphians, fresh from tailgating with roast turkey and stuffing. Eagles 27, Cards 13 (Overall record: 9-3)
12/7 - at New York Giants
I'm really not sure what to think of the Giants this year. I think that they're going to take a step backwards this year, with Strahan retired and Burress fighting some muscle pulls in his legs. I also really don't think they can sustain the level of play that took them to the title last year. Still, it's the Giants, so I'm inclined to believe that we'll split with them. Giants 20, Eagles 13 (Overall record: 9-4)
12/15 - Cleveland (Mon. Night)
This is one of the toughest games to predict. Cleveland played great football last year, nearly making the playoffs. The biggest question mark is at the quarterback position. Can Derek Anderson continue to play at such a high level? He definitely has the receivers to do it, with Braylon Edwards, Donte Stallworth, and Joe Jurevicius, but can running back Jamal Lewis stay healthy this year? And what's going on with the defense? Still, it's Monday Night Football in Philadelphia, and the division crown will still be up for grabs, so you know the Eagles will be properly motivated. Tough game to predict. Eagles 27, Browns 24 (Overall record: 10-4)
12/21 - at Washington
At this point, the 'Skins will be out of the playoff hunt. You hate to play a team with nothing to lose in their house, but I think the Eagles will survive. Eagles 20, 'Skins 16 (Overal record: 11-4)
12/28 - Dallas
I like to believe that this will be a game that determines who will win the NFC East and who will gain a wild card berth. Romo has a tendency to choke in these kinds of situations, and I think that trend continues in front of thousands of bloodthirsty Eagles' fans. McNabb plays one of his best games as an Eagle, and Asante Samuel comes up with a late pick, killing a Cowboys' rally and sending the Birds to a first-round bye. Eagles 38, Cowboys 35 (Overall record: 12-4)
Ok, 12-4 is a best-case scenario. More likely than not, the Eagles find some way to fuck up a few of those games that they should win, finishing with a record closer to 9-7 or 10-6. After all, this is the Eagles we're talking about.
Do they have the talent to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl? Hard to say. It depends on a lot of things, including team health, the quality of coaching, whether veterans like Dawk still have some gas in the tank, and whether kids like Bradley are ready to step up for the big show. Still, I think this is a playoff team, and although it's probably more likely that they'll get there with a wild card bid, I like to think that they'll pull a quick one on the Cowboys and win the division. A man can dream, can't he?
I'll revisit these picks again after the preseason and throughout the season, but for now, back to the Phillies. Speaking of our baseball team, I took my dad to last night's debacle for Father's Day. WTF? They haven't scored one fucking run over the past 23 innings. This is ridiculous.