Most Intriguing Games on the Eagles Schedule
We've know the opponents for a while, but the Eagles finally learned the times and dates for the 2021-22 season. The Eagles are said to have the easiest schedule in the NFL this year, but that is also based off last years success, and many teams have improved since then. There are a few really tough stretches to begin and end the year, while playing the last two super bowl champions in between. Here's some of the games I'm looking forward to.
Week 1: Eagles @ Falcons(1 PM EST, FOX)
This might be kind of cheating, since of course everyone is looking forward to Week 1. But I'm just super excited to see how Nick Sirianni, Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith and this young coaching staff function. The Falcons are no contender, but they are also no pushover ether. The most likely thing to happen here is probably a fast paced, shootout where one play on defense decides the game. Definitely not easy for Jonathan Gannon to start his first game as a defensive coordinator against Kyle Pitts. Zech McPhearson on Calvin Ridley as well? Yikes.
My Prediction: Loss
Week 6: Buccaneers @ Eagles(8:20 PM EST, FOX)
Oh man, this is going to be fun. Tom Brady comes into Philly, bringing in the defending Super Bowl Champions with him. This is the Eagles only Thursday Night Game of the season, and both teams will be on a short week(Tampa will be coming off a game at home in Miami). The intrigue of this is of course Brady, but I do think there are other storylines. With Tampa usually "saving their success" until later in the season, I do think this game could be closer then people think. I could totally see the Birds sneaking out a win because of the short week and the home environment, but Tampa is by far the better roster. Anyone have Nick Foles' number?
My Prediction: Loss
Week 7: Eagles @ Raiders(4:05 PM EST)
This game will be a complete chess match. Raiders GM Mike Mayock has been trying to rebuild this defense slowly through the draft, which did not work at all last season. Trevon Moehrig and Tyree Gilespie are the newest guys to bolster the secondary, but who knows how much impact they will have to this point. By now I would expect the Eagles offense would be firing on all cylinders, with DeVonta Smith having a big game. Being away in Vegas is tough, but the Eagles are probably better than this team on paper.
My Prediction: Win
Week 15: Washington @ Eagles(TBD)
The reason the game time for Week 15 is TBD is because there is potential that it could be flexed into primetime, depending on the situation. Depending on how the season plays out, this could be a pivotal game for the NFC East. Washington has to be the team with the most upside in this division, as well as the favorites in my personal opinion. I like how the Eagles match up with this team, and it is another game that could go ether way. If both teams are healthy, the game will be won in the trenches for whichever defensive line steps up. One mistake is gonna make the difference.
My Prediction: Loss
Week 18: Cowboys @ Eagles(1 PM EST)
Now this game has the potential to mean absolutely nothing if the Eagles are out of playoff contention(I personally have them out by now). But, I couldn't leave Eagles vs. Cowboys at the Linc off this list. Week 3 is way too early in the season for me to see it being an insane game, but by now these teams could be playing with their seasons on the line. With Dak Prescott expected to make a full return from injury, it will be interesting to see how Jonathan Gannon plays against these Cowboys weapons compared to Jim Schwartz. If the Eagles were playing for something here, I'd probably have them coming out on top.
My Prediction: Loss
Since I have sort of teased it on here, I think the Eagles will go 7-10 next season. The bottom line is that this is a rebuilding year, and seeing great play from Jalen Hurts AND your rookies will be a success in my book.
PS- If the Eagles sign Steven Nelson they will go 9-8.