Smell that? No, not that. It's the smell of NFL football. After so much uncertainty on whether or not there will be a season, it's finally here. The Eagles are set to defend their NFC East crown and try to become the first NFC East team since the 2002-2004 Eagles to repeat as division champs.
This year's schedule is quite a difficult one. Despite the collective records resulting in a .486 winning percentage, the Eagles will have their hands full all year.
I went 8-8 in my predictions last year, after going 9-7 in 2018. Let's see if I can break my Cowboys streak and do a little better on my record in 2020.
2020 Schedule
Week 1: Sunday 9/13 1:00 PM @ Washington
Week 2: Sunday 9/20 1:00 PM vs Los Angeles Rams
Week 3: Sunday 9/27 1:00 PM vs Cincinnati
Week 4: Sunday 10/4 8:20 PM at San Francisco
Week 5: Sunday 10/11 1:00 PM at Pittsburgh
Week 6: Sunday 10/18 1:00 PM vs Baltimore
Week 7: Thursday 10/22 8:20 PM vs New York Giants
Week 8: Sunday 11/1 8:20 PM vs Dallas
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Sunday 11/15 1:00 PM at New York Giants
Week 11: Sunday 11/22 1:00 PM at Cleveland
Week 12: Monday 11/30 8:15 PM vs Seattle
Week 13: Sunday 12/6 4:25 PM at Green Bay
Week 14: Sunday 12/13 4:25 PM vs New Orleans
Week 15: Sunday 12/20 4:05 PM at Arizona
Week 16: Sunday 12/27 4:25 PM at Dallas
Week 17: Sunday 1/3 1:00 PM vs Washington
My Philosophy
I break down the schedule into quarters, since there are 16 games. If a team goes 3-1 every quarter, then they are left with a nice 12-4 record. Mix in a couple of 2-2's and you have a 10-6 record.
After three quarters last season, the Eagles were staring at a 5-7 record. A 4-0 run in the final quarter sent them to the playoffs.
First Quarter
The Eagles will need to start off strong to avoid being in panic mode when they creep closer to that gauntlet of games you just saw late in the season.
Week 1 - Washington Football Team
I can't help but laugh every time I read that name.
2019 Ranks
Yards per game: 274.7 (31st)
Points per game: 16.6 (32nd)
Passing yards per game: 175.8 (32nd)
Rushing yards per game: 98.9 (22nd)
Yards allowed per game: 385.1 (27th)
Points allowed per game: 27.2 (27th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 238.9 (18th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 146.2 (31st)
Turnover differential: +1 (14th)
Key additions:
EDGE Chase Young (draft), RB/WR Antonio Gibson (draft), CB Kendall Fuller (free agency), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (free agency), CB Ronald Darby (free agency), LB Thomas Davis (free agency), head coach Ron Rivera
Key departures
TE Jordan Reed (released), CB Quinton Dunbar (trade), RB Adrian Peterson (released), LT Trent Williams (trade), LB Reuben Foster (IR), RB Chris Thompson (free agency), TE Vernon Davis (retirement), G Ereck Flowers (free agency), QB Case Keenum (free agency), QB Colt McCoy (free agency), CB Josh Norman (released), WR Paul Richardson (released)
Quick analysis
This won't be as easy as some people think. Jason Peters vs Chase Young will be something to behold, but the real match up lies in the WFT backfield. If the Eagles linebackers cannot contain Antonio Gibson, then it's going to be a long day. The Eagles have notoriously been bad against dual-threat running backs. However, despite that threat, I expect the Eagles to win a hard-fought battle 24-17.
Week 2 - Los Angeles Rams
The Eagles finally stay home rather than travel West Coast for this clash between the "boy genius" and the coach who owns him.
2019 Ranks
Yards per game: 374.9 (7th)
Passing yards per game: 281.2 (4th)
Rushing yards per game: 93.7 (26th)
Points per game: 24.6 (11th)
Yards allowed per game: 339.6 (13th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 226.6 (12th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 113.1 (19th)
Points allowed per game: 22.8 (17th)
Turnover differential: 0 (T-15th)
Key additions
LB Leonard Floyd (free agency), DT A'Shawn Robinson (free agency), OC Kevin O'Connell (Washington), RB Cam Akers (draft)
Key departures
RB Todd Gurley (released), LB Clay Matthews (released), LB Dante Fowler Jr. (free agency), CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (free agency), WR Brandin Cooks (trade), LB Cory Littleton (free agency)
Quick analysis
Jalen Ramsey got paaaiiiiiiiiid. Coming off his worst PFF graded year didn't stop the Rams from locking down Ramsey for the long haul. Five years $105 million. Whew.
Ramsey will look to lock down DeSean Jackson while the rest of the Rams defense looks to slow down the slew of Eagles weapons. Despite the Rams having an elite passing attack last year, the Eagles should be able to keep them contained. Darius Slay has never intercepted Goff in the two matchups they've had against one another, look for that to change here.
Aaron Donald has never sacked an Eagles quarterback, with Jason Kelce being his Kryptonite in all three games they've faced each other.
This won't be an easy one. But the Eagles keep the strong start going.
Week 3 - Cincinnati Bengals
Liam Je... I mean Joe Burrow (if you don't get it then you need to look at pictures of Liam and Burrow) looks to bring the Bengals back to.. glory? Burrow has all the talent in the world and the Bengals made an incredible choice taking him. It won't be long until they are challenging for AFC North supremacy.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 323.1 (26th)
Passing yards per game: 228.3 (19th)
Rushing yards per game: 94.8 (25th)
Points per game: 17.4 (30th)
Yards allowed per game: 393.7 (29th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 244.8 (21st)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 148.9 (32nd)
Points allowed per game: 26.3 (25th)
Key additions
QB Joe Burrow (draft), CB Trea Waynes (free agency), CB Mackensie Alexander (free agency), S Vonn Bell (free agency), DT D.J. Reader (free agency), LB Akeem Davis-Gaither (draft [I had to write his name because he was a guest of Flippin' The Birds in March]), WR Tee Higgins (draft)
Key departures
QB Andy Dalton (released), TE Tyler Eifert (free agency), LB Nick Vigil (free agency), OT Cordy Glenn (free agency), CB Darqueze Dennard (free agency), CB Dre Kirkpatrick (released)
Quick analysis
It hasn't been that long since the Bengals had a winning season. Back in 2015 they went 12-4 and won their division, this was actually their fifth winning season in a row. Now entering the 2020 season where they've had losing records four years in a row, don't expect them to return to glory just yet.
Joe Burrow is going to be a star. If this was later in the year, I'd call this a trap game. However, I do not believe facing a defense like the Eagles in week three is a recipe for success for the rookie. Burrow will probably win Rookie of the Year, but he won't help his case in this game.
Eagles soar to 3-0.
Week 4 - San Francisco 49ers
Well, that "finally stay home rather than travel West Coast" was short-lived.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 381.1 (4th)
Passing yards per game: 237.0 (13th)
Rushing yards per game: 144.1 (2nd)
Points per game: 29.9 (2nd)
Yards allowed per game: 281.8 (2nd)
Passing yards allowed per game: 169.2 (1st)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 112.6 (17th)
Points allowed per game: 19.4 (8th)
Turnover differential: +4 (T-10th)
Key arrivals
LT Trent Williams (trade), WR Brandon Aiyuk (draft), DT Javon Kinlaw (draft)
Key departures
LT Joe Staley (retirement), WR Emmanuel Sanders (free agency), DT DeForest Buckner (trade)
Quick analysis
As you can see above: what the 49ers lost, they gained right back. Losing a HOF LT could cripple a lot of franchises, but replacing him with a perennial Pro Bowler makes things a liiiiitle less devastating. Losing a 32-year-old wide receiver with a 22-year-old highly touted rookie whose birthday is elite (we share the date) is ideal. Losing Buckner may hurt in the first few weeks of the season, but Kinlaw is an elite prospect on the defensive line and should quickly make fans forget about Buckner.
This is a rough game for the Eagles. This may hinge on whether or not Deebo Samuel is healthy for the 49ers, but the 49ers defense will give the Eagles fits. The 49ers may be the only team with a defensive line better than the Eagles and, with some instability in the Eagles offensive line, that will be the deciding factor in this. Jimmy G and co send the Eagles back to the East coast with their first loss.
"First Quarter" record: 3-1
Overall record: 3-1
Continued on the page below.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
Week 5 - Pittsburgh Steelers
The Eagles come back East for a road game in their home state.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 276.8 (30th)
Passing yards per game: 186.3 (31st)
Rushing yards per game: 90.4 (29th)
Points per game: 18.1 (27th)
Yards allowed per game: 304.1 (5th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 194.6 (3rd)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 109.6 (14th)
Points allowed per game: 18.9 (T-5th)
Turnover differential: +8 (T-7th)
Key additions:
QB Ben Roethlisberger (return from injury), TE Eric Ebron (free agency), WR Chase Claypool (draft)
Key departures:
DT Javon Hargrave (free agency), G Ramon Foster (retirement), CB Artie Burns (free agency), LB Mark Barron (free agency)
Quick analysis
The Steelers were very, very, very bad on offense last year but made up for it with a Steel Curtain-esque defense. The addition of Minkah Fitzpatrick to the secondary vaulted the defense from great to elite. DPOY nominee T.J. Watt is an animal and will terrorize any offense.
The Steelers offense will be much improved with the return of Big Ben and the addition of Eric Ebron. If Roethlisberger is anything like his old self, then this will be a loss. However, coming back from an elbow injury at his age may prove difficult for the 38-year-old. I'm going to bet that the Eagles hold off James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster while doing just enough on offense to squeak out a low scoring game.
Week 6 - Baltimore Ravens
The final game of the first trifecta gauntlet of the season.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 407.6 (2nd)
Passing yards per game: 201.6 (27th)
Rushing yards per game: 206.0 (1st)
Points per game: 33.2 (1st)
Yards allowed per game: 300.6 (4th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 207.2 (6th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 93.4
Points allowed per game: 17.6 (3rd)
Turnover differential: +10 (6th)
Key arrivals:
DE Calais Campbell (trade), DE Derek Wolfe (free agency), G D.J. Fluker (free agency), RB J.K. Dobbins (draft), LB Patrick Queen (draft)
Key departures:
LB Patrick Onwuasor (free agency), TE Hayden Hurst (trade), DT Michael Pierce (free agency), CB Brandon Carr (free agency), S Earl Thomas (released)
Quick analysis
You saw those stats from 2019? Now picture those stats with the added players above. An offense like that adding Dobbins? A defense like that adding Campbell and Queen? C'mon. Even without Thomas, it's still elite.
I know it's "any given Sunday" but I find it hard to convince myself that the Eagles will win this game. The Ravens are simply way too dominant on both sides of the ball. Eagles lose a home game.
Week 7 - New York Giants
Well, this is a much-needed break from the gauntlet.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 338.5 (23rd)
Passing yards per game: 233.2 (18th)
Rushing yards per game: 105.3 (19th)
Points per game: 21.3 (T-18th)
Yards allowed per game: 377.3 (25th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 264.1 (28th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 113.3 (20th)
Points allowed per game: 28.2 (30th)
Turnover differential: -17 (T-32nd)
Key arrivals:
HC Joe Judge, OC Jason Garrett, T Andrew Thomas (draft), S Xavier McKinney (draft), S Logan Ryan (free agency), CB James Bradberry (free agency), LB Blake Martinez (free agency), RB Dion Lewis (free agency), K Graham Gano (free agency)
Key departures:
CB DeAndre Baker (released because he's a felon), K Aldrick Rosas (see Baker), S Antoine Bethea (released), LB Alec Ogletree (released)
Quick analysis
The Eagles have owned the Giants since 2000, going 24-14 since then. The Eagles are on a 7 game win streak.
The Giants have definitely improved since last year, as evident by their additions. But I do not think they are that much improved to beat an Eagles team looking to rebound from a rare home loss. The Eagles win their 8th straight versus the G-Men.
Week 8 - Dallas Cowboys
F*** Dallas Week. This will be a good one.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 431.5 (1st)
Passing yards per game: 296.9 (2nd)
Rushing yards per game: 134.6 (5th)
Points per game: 27.1 (6th)
Yards allowed per game: 327.0 (9th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 223.5 (10th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 103.5 (11th)
Turnover differential: 20.1 (11th)
Key additions:
K Greg Zuerlein (free agency), DT Dontari Poe (free agency), LB Aldon Smith (reinstatement from suspension), CB Daryl Worley (free agency), QB Andy Dalton (free agency), DE Randy Gregory (reinstatement from suspension), WR CeeDee Lamb (draft), HC Mike McCarthy
Key departures:
WR Randall Cobb (free agency), TE Jason Witten (free agency), C Travis Frederick (retirement), G Xavier Su'a-Filo (free agency), T Cam Fleming (free agency), DT Maliek Collins (free agency), DT Christian Covington (free agency), CB Byron Jones (free agency), DE Robert Quinn (free agency), S Jeff Heath (free agency)
Quick analysis
By this time, the Cowboys could very well be deploying Earl Thomas in the secondary. But until that happens, if it does, we focus on what they have now.
This Dallas team has some serious issues in the secondary with the departure of Jones. Even with the draft picks spent on the secondary, you cannot expect them to keep offenses at bay. They do boast an above-average defensive line and an elite linebacker corps (if healthy) but quarterbacks should be able to quick pass their way to victory. If Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory turn back the clocks and perform the way they have in the past, then the Eagles offensive line will have fits.
On the flip side, the Cowboys boast a tremendous offense, especially after the addition of CeeDee Lamb. Despite that, I think the loss of Frederick and Collins (IR) will bite them and the Eagles will push themselves further atop the NFC East standings.
"Second quarter" record: 3-1
Overall record: 6-2
Continued on the page below.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
Week 9 - BYE
The Eagles probably will need the bye desperately. After a slew of top defenses in October, the injury bug will surely be rearing its ugly head around this time.
Week 10 - New York Giants
Poor Daniel Jones. He and the Giants have a brutal start to the season with the defenses they see. From Week 1 to Week 9 they have the Steelers, Bears, 49ers, Rams, Cowboys, WFT, Eagles, Bucs, and the WFT again. This game is their final game before their bye, but they'll be limping into it as they lose again to the Eagles.
Week 11 - Cleveland Browns
(insert OBJ joke here)
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 340.9 (22nd)
Passing yards per game: 222.1 (22nd)
Rushing yards per game: 118.8 (12th)
Points per game: 20.9 (22nd)
Yards allowed per game: 361.6 (22nd)
Passing yards allowed per game: 216.9 (7th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 144.7 (30th)
Points allowed per game: 24.6 (20th)
Turnover differential: -8 (26th)
Key additions:
T Jack Conklin (free agency), TE Austin Hooper (free agency), DE Adrian Clayborn (free agency), S Karl Joseph (free agency), CB Kevin Johnson (free agency), T Jedrick Wills (draft)
Key departures:
LB Joe Schobert (free agency), LB Christian Kirksey (free agency), S Eric Murray (free agency), S Juston Burris (free agency), S Damarious Randall (free agency)
Quick analysis
I thoroughly believe this is Baker's last year in Cleveland if he does not perform as a number one overall pick should perform. With a new head coach in Cleveland, Mayfield could be a lame duck.
It's not like he'll be without weapons. Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Nick Chubb, Kareem Hunt, David Njoku, and Austin Hooper are all at his disposal to take Cleveland to the playoffs. Too bad they play in the AFC North.
While the Browns offense may give the Eagles some issues, their defense should allow the Eagles to score almost at will. Top pick Grant Delpit is out for the season, they lost their tackle machine Joe Schobert to free agency, and their secondary is always one step away from the IR. Look for the Eagles to win a high scoring game.
Week 12 - Seattle Seahawks
The dreaded game. Third time in a row in Philly, is it third time's a charm?
Beware: this starts the second trifecta gauntlet
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 374.4 (8th)
Passing yards per game: 236.9 (14th)
Rushing yards per game: 137.5 (4th)
Points per game: 25.3 (9th)
Yards allowed per game: 381.6 (26th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 263.9 (27th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 117.7 (22nd)
Points allowed per game: 24.9 (T-22nd)
Turnover differential: +12 (T-3rd)
Key additions:
TE Greg Olsen (free agency), WR Phillip Dorsett (free agency), CB Quinton Dunbar (trade), DE Bruce Irvin (free agency)
Key departures:
G D.J. Fluker (free agency), T George Fant (free agency), T German Ifedi (free agency), DT Al Woods (free agency), RB Marshawn Lynch (retirement), RB C.J. Prosise (free agency), LB Jadeveon Clowney (free agency), DE Ezekiel Ansah (free agency)
Quick analysis
Russell Wilson has never lost to the Eagles, nor has Pete Carroll as head coach of the Seahawks.
Their offense still will be clicking on all cylinders as Josh Gordon is back with the team. He, D.K. Metcalf, and old man Greg Olsen will look to keep Russell Wilson in the MVP discussion and keep the team in the hunt for the NFC West crown. However, the Seahawks offensive line is abysmal and their defense is still atrocious. Monday Night Football comes to Philadelphia with a win and a huge sigh of relief for the Eagles.
Week 13 - Green Bay Packers
December at Lambeau? Brrrrrr.... sorry.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 345.5 (18th)
Passing yards per game: 233.3 (17th)
Rushing yards per game: 112.2 (15th)
Points per game: 23.5 (15th)
Yards allowed per game: 352.6 (18th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 232.6 (14th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 120.1 (23rd)
Points allowed per game: 19.6 (9th)
Turnover differential: +12 (T-3rd)
Key additions:
Uhhh.. drafting RB A.J. Dillon? (For real, they addressed the WR corps by signing Devin Funchess, who opted out), LB Christian Kirksey (free agency), DT Treyvon Hester (free agency)
Key departures:
TE Jimmy Graham (released), T Bryan Bulaga (free agency)
Quick analysis:
The Packers did almost nothing to improve their team for 2020. They did, however, improve it for when Aaron Rodgers is gone. QB Jordan will not see the field this year, A.J. Dillon will most likely see time but only as a goal-line specialist, and Davante Adams will look to shake the injury bug to post another dominant season. Aaron Rodgers has yet another year of trying to pull this team together to make the playoffs. Don't forget about Aaron Jones.
The Green Bay defense is still very good. Jaire Alexander and Adrian Amos are both elite secondary members, the Smiths (Preston and Za'Darius) are very good, and they still deploy Kenny Clark on the defensive line.
The Eagles were able to shock the Packers in 2019, but I think a December game in Lambeau (even without fans) will be the difference here. The Eagles suffer a December loss.
"Third Quarter" record: 3-1
Overall record: 9-3
Continued on the page below.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
Week 14 - New Orleans Saints
I wonder how many whiny tweets we'll see from Michael Thomas from now until this game.
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 373.9 (9th)
Passing yards per game: 256.3 (7th)
Rushing yards per game: 108.6 (16th)
Points per game: 28.6 (T-3)
Yards allowed per game: 333.1 (11th)
Passing yards allowed per game: 241.8 (20th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 91.3 (4th)
Points allowed per game: 21.3 (14th)
Turnover differential: +15 (2nd)
Key additions:
WR Emmanuel Sanders (free agency), S Malcolm Jenkins (free agency), S D.J. Swearinger (free agency), QB Jameis Winston (free agency), C/G Cesar Ruiz (draft)
Key departures:
QB Teddy Bridgewater (free agency), G Larry Warford (released), S Vonn Bell (free agency), CB Eli Apple (free agency)
Quick analysis:
The Saints lost a Pro Bowler at RG and replaced him with a great prospect in Ruiz. They added offense with Sanders, and veteran leadership in the secondary with old friend Malcolm Jenkins.
The Saints have owned the Eagles lately, and I do not see this trend ending here. Second loss in a row for the Eagles.
Week 15 - Arizona Cardinals
December in Pheonix?! What a great game to go to... wait...
2019 Ranks:
Yards per game: 341.7 (21st)
Passing yards per game: 217.3 (24th)
Rushing yards per game: 124.4 (10th)
Points per game: 22.6 (T-16th)
Yards allowed per game: 402.0 (32nd)
Passing yards allowed per game: 281.9 (31st)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 120.1 (T-23rd)
Points allowed per game: 27.6 (28th)
Turnover differential: -1 (T-17th)
Key additions:
WR DeAndre Hopkins (trade), LB De'Vondre Campbell (free agency), LB Devon Kennard (free agency), LB/S/CB/Everything Isaiah Simmons (draft)
Key departures:
RB David Johnson (trade)
Quick analysis:
Is there another team with higher expectations than the Cardinals? Maybe the Buccaneers.
Kyler Murray, Larry Fitzgerald, Kenyan Drake, DeAndre Hopkins. That is an explosive offense. However, the offensive line is still in shambles and Isaiah Simmons cannot be at every defensive position at once (although he'll try).
Murray will have a great game, but his defense will fail him. The Eagles snap their two game skid.
Week 16 - Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles have another week 16 showdown with the Cowboys. I thouroughly believe that the Cowboys will be one game behind the Eagles at this point, making this a must win for them. If the Eagles win, they win the division. If the Cowboys win, it sets up a win and "hope the Eagles lose in week 17" situation.
The Cowboys are home, desperate, and win this game.
Week 17 - Washington Football Team
The Eagles were hoping to be resting their starters in this game but find themselves in a crucial must win game to claim the division.
The WFT could very well be deploying Kyle Allen if Ron Rivera lost faith hin Haskins. They could still be deploying Haskins so they have a better shot at Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields. Regardless, the Eagles win handedly and clinch the division.
"Fourth Quarter" record: 2-2
Overall record: 11-5
What's your season prediction? Let me know @Infante54!
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
