Week 5; New York Jets; 4-1:
I sense another dominant showing from the defensive line and a clear opportunity for the Philadelphia Eagles to bounce back with a solid showing in the defensive secondary. I don’t sense Sam Darnold as a bad quarterback in this league, but I don’t think he has the talent to carry the offense and the New York Jets receivers against a franchise who always seems to have a top defensive line and safeties who have the ability to help in coverage and play center field on deep and intermediate passes. However, LeVeon Bell is going to have to show up big time. Over the past few seasons, with the exception of Saquon Barkley or Ezekiel Elliott, it seems that the Eagles have been more than able to contain running backs. Bell took the season off last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers, so the jury is still out. Is Bell going to be a franchise running back on any team or was he a system running back in Pittsburgh?
Week 6; at Minnesota Vikings; 5-1:
This is a game that bothered me last year. The Philadelphia Eagles had no business losing to the Minnesota Vikings last season, especially after an awful call against Michael Bennett when he sacked Kirk Cousins and receiving a personal foul. Seriously, look at the film. It was the softest sack that I have ever witnessed, not including the sack that Brett Favre gave to Michael Strahan on January 5th, 2002. That penalty that Bennett received provided the Vikings with a first down and was the reason why the Vikings had another set of downs to win the game.
The Eagles have redemption on their mind against the Vikings. The key is slowing down Kyle Rudolph, Adam Thielen, and Stephon Diggs. By week six, the key is that the Eagles secondary is fresh and healthy. If that is the case, I think they win a close game.
Week 7; at Dallas Cowboys; 6-1:
Last season was a tough pill to swallow when the Philadelphia Eagles played the Dallas Cowboys. I was at the game last season at home in Philadelphia and saw Ronald Darby’s season end before my eyes. It was at that moment that Ezekiel Elliott took full control, becoming the go-to weapon for Dak Prescott. With the secondary non-existent, especially before the Eagles saw the depth they had starting to blossom, the Eagles became one dimensional.
There were a ton of variables that made the Eagles look uncomfortable against the Cowboys that game, but I think 2019 will be different. The Eagles have a genuine starting running back in Jordan Howard, the wide receivers are upgraded from last season, Dallas Goedert has a productive rookie year under his belt, and the defensive secondary has that known depth from the 2018 season. The inability to cover slants against the Cowboys passing offense last season had to do a lot with the revolving door of cornerbacks brought in after injuries. Adding Malik Jackson in rotation or alongside Fletcher Cox is going to make it tougher for Elliott to run up the middle against an already solid defensive line. This game will be competitive, however.
Week 8; at Buffalo Bills; 7-1:
I credit the Buffalo Bills for having a “bend but don’t break” defensive philosophy. It actually works for them as they were competitive in a game I watched them in last season against the New England Patriots. However, while many Philadelphia Eagles fans view this game as a “trap game” in their back-to-back-to-back road game stand, I don’t see it that way. I would say that the toughest game in that consecutive road game stand would be against the Dallas Cowboys. Josh Allen doesn’t show me that he is a quarterback ready to take on the Eagles defense and I do think that the Eagles will be able to close out a road trip with a win. I think this is another game where the Eagles have an opportunity to make a defensive statement.
Week 9: Chicago Bears; 8-1:
This game will be a low scoring affair. Both defenses are stellar and be ready to watch another game that will replicate a lot of what you saw in the National Football Conference Wildcard round. I truly believe that this will be the first real big test for Carson Wentz’ durability, but expect him to work the short and intermediate passing game a lot with Khalil Mack coming off of the defensive line and lining up in some linebacker formations. I also expect Jordan Howard to show up and make the Bears miss his talent. I honestly believe what will make or break this game is not only the turnover battle, but the execution on special teams. The Bears have a new kicker since Cody Parkey’s famous “double-doink” missed field goal. Jake Elliott has been very reliable for two seasons now and I think this will be the deciding factor in the late stages of the fourth quarter.
Week 11; New England Patriots; 8-2:
Coming off of the bye week, I think the Philadelphia Eagles are going to be rested, but maybe out of sync or a tad lethargic when attempting to keep up with the New England Patriots pace.
It’s hard for me to say that with as much joy as I get from watching the Eagles be victorious over the Patriots, or anyone for that matter, but I think this time around that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady find a way to win. The Eagles can definitely compete, that isn’t a question. The Patriots won’t have Rob Gronkowski as a weapon, but they still have a flurry of receivers, a good running back group, an upgraded defense, and one of the best football minds in the history of the NFL.
Week 12; Seattle Seahawks; 8-3:
It doesn’t quite matter how much momentum the Philadelphia Eagles have had going into a game against the Seattle Seahawks before, this is a team that the Eagles just flat out have difficulty with. The Seahawks defense is not what it used to be, but Pete Carroll is a coach that has done a fine job with his team in finding ways to sneak out a win against very competitive teams. The Seahawks will play up to teams ability if the opponent is better and they really don’t play down to inferior teams.
Containing Russell Wilson is a challenge that the Eagles are going to have, so that is my key to this game. I think this game will be a close one as well, but I can see the Seahawks sneaking out with a win. I surely hope that the Eagles break the cycle however and find a way to beat this team.
Week 13; at Miami Dolphins; 9-3:
This is where I have the Philadelphia Eagles breaking their first losing streak of the season, which is all the way in week thirteen. There are a lot of questions that need answers in Miami with the Dolphins team, which is why I think the Eagles have a terrific opportunity to bounce back with a win on a complete team effort. The offense should be able to show up and play well alongside the defense. I think the Eagles get a decisive win against the Dolphins and I do not foresee a upset win like the Dolphins pulled off against the New England Patriots.
