The Eagles currently sit at second place in the NFC East with a poor record of 1-4-1. Now while this season already feels doomed, as if the Eagles are still playing under a black cloud, there’s still some glimmer of possible hope that the team can turn this around.
The Eagles just lost back-to-back matchups against two of the top defenses in the NFL. The Eagles scored 28+ points in back to back games against two defenses that are allowing fewer than 18 points per game. They were two points shy of completing a huge comeback win against the Ravens and some will say the birds left some points on the field. Against the Steelers, the team fell due to a lack of adjusting by the defense as they allowed Nate Gerry to cover Chase Claypool.
It’s been that close for them. They’re several plays away from being 4-2 on the season but the unfortunate truth is that this is their reality right now. A team that's been riddled with an unlimited amount of injuries once again, and now more than ever they’re feeling the pain from it. Fortunately, the division is still theirs to lose. Their next four games are winnable but they’ll be challenged heavily late in November to late December. Here’s a look at who they’ll be facing the rest of the season and how many points per game the opposing defenses are allowing:
Oct 22nd - Giants - 25 ppg allowed
Nov 1st - Cowboys - 36 ppg allowed (most in the league)
Nov 16th - Giants - 25 ppg allowed
Nov 22nd - Browns - 31 ppg allowed (3rd most in the league}
Nov 30th - Seahawks - 27 ppg allowed
Dec 8th - Packers - 27 ppg allowed
Dec 13th - Saints - 30 ppg allowed
Dec 20th - Cardinals - 18 ppg allowed(2nd least allowed)
Dec 27th - Cowboys - 36 ppg allowed
Jan 3rd - Football team - 27 ppg allowed
Luckily for the Eagles, they’ve already faced the toughest defenses on their schedule with exception of the Arizona Cardinals. Every team on this schedule is more than beatable. Even the three-game slate against the Seahawks, Packers, and Saints. All three of those teams have defenses just like Philly that are keeping the offense out of the game, just ask Aaron Rodgers after he checked out against the Bucs.
While the Eagles defense could be a huge x-factor in all of these games, the truth is that they can’t be much worse than they are now especially with the trade deadline approaching. If the Eagles can add some help at the linebacker position and maybe even at cornerback, the team’s defense could make strides in the right direction. Even so, the team's defense is allowing 29 points per game which leaves them right in the middle against the teams that they’ll be facing.
The next stanza
There’s a strong opportunity for the team in the next 4 games. They’ll be facing three teams, the Giants twice, right before they host the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants are a beaten team and could be a sure win, the Cowboys have lost their heart in Dak Prescott, and no one knows which Browns team will show up as well as if Baker will even be healthy enough for the matchup due to his ribs. If the team can muster enough confidence for those matchups, they could bring their record to 5-4-1 while burying the Cowboys and Giants deeper into the dirt of the NFC East.
Continued on the page below.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
The going gets tough for the Eagles
Now let's take a look at the grueling three-game slate against the Seahawks, Packers, and Saints. The Seahawks and Packers are averaging 27 ppg allowed but their offenses are showing up as well. Packers are averaging 32 ppg and the Seahawks are averaging 33 ppg. Russell Wilson is having an MVP caliber season but is he overdue for a loss against the Eagles? If the Eagles are riding a four-game winning streak into the Seattle matchup, there’s a chance that the Seahawks will be facing a rejuvenated Eagles offense and hopefully defense. A confident Carson Wentz is just as dangerous as Russell Wilson, so ill take a win in that matchup.
As for the Packers and Saints, the Eagles have given it to Green Bay in the last couple of matchups but they may be due for a win against the birds this time around especially if this loss to the Bucs has lit a fire underneath Aaron Rodgers. I'll take Green bay in that matchup, so now the Eagles are 1-1 heading into their game against the Saints.
I understand that the Saints are averaging 30 ppg but this team isn't trending in the right direction. Drew Brees seems to be losing his touch more and more each week and now the issue with Michael Thomas could grow into a bigger problem. While the Saints will be field by a heavy-hearted Malcolm Jenkins; the Eagles will also be fueled as they’ll be fighting for their season and when the team is in that mode, they’re pretty difficult to beat. The Eagles will be looking to make a statement win after a big loss to the Packers, so let's give them this one. Eagles win and improve to 7-5-1.
The final stretch
The Eagles will be facing a Cardinals team that has improved drastically. They have the defense to shut down anyone as they’ve only allowed 18 points per game. Their offense is surging with DeAndre Hopkins leading the charge, I say Hopkins because we need to be honest for a moment, the Cardinals wouldn’t be here without a receiver like him. Take notes, Howie! Interestingly enough, the Cardinals offense is averaging just as many points per game as the Eagles offense is but the difference is the discipline and the health of the Cardinals. I honestly can’t see the Eagles leaving this game on top unless something drastic happens. Let's just take this L, which leaves the Eagles at 7-6-1.
The final two games are against division rivals. These two games could hold significant value depending on how the Cowboys and the Football team are doing. The Football team does have the easiest remaining schedule in the NFC East so there’s a chance they pushing for the playoffs as well. The Cowboys are a shell of themselves and may have lost their mojo after the loss of Dak Prescott. Zeke isn't the prolific runner he used to be and their best receiver just happens to be the rookie, CeeDee Lamb. The team will be facing a Cowboys team with no identity and will be looking to bounce back after the loss to Arizona, so let's chalk this one up as a win.
Lastly, the Washington Football Team. The Eagles will be motivated with the division on the line and a playoff spot for the taking. They’ll be out for blood against Washington after suffering that embarrassing loss against them to open the season where the Football Team came back to win their first game of the season. I truly believe the team takes this matchup and runs with it. We’ve seen Carson win with less too often to not believe that he can hold his own against a team like Washington. He’s at his best when the season is coming to a close and with the opportunity to taste playoff football again after leaving last year's playoffs with a concussion, I see no way of the Eagles losing this matchup which will bring their final record to 9-6-1.
I made a bold prediction on this week's episode of Flippin’ the Birds and I'm sticking to the boldness. I mentioned that I believe the Eagles will finish at 8-7-1. After looking at this schedule and all the variables that could favor the Eagles, I'm even more confident that they can walk out of this season with a respectable record.
Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire
