Predictions: Philadelphia Eagles 2013 NFL Schedule
Philadelphia Eagles 2013 NFL Schedule Predictions
The 2013 NFL schedule was released two days ago, and as usual, it builds hope for NFL team fanbases across the world as they try to predict their team's fortunes in the upcoming season. The expert analysts have already began submitting their predictions for the fans to read, analyze and comment on.
The Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a 4-12 record last season, would seem to have been in line for an easy schedule in 2013. The football powers-that-be and fortune have granted the Eagles with one of the (if not the) NFL’s lowest 2013 strength-of-schedule. However, there are a few down sides to their schedule.
First, the Eagles first three games come within an 11-day stretch with a Monday Night Football (MNF) game in week one, followed by a Sunday afternoon game and then a Thursday Night Football game in week three. This stretch will be a good barometer for Eagles head coach Chip Kelly in assessing his team’s mental and physical state.
Second, weeks 4-6 are all road games that kick off against the likes of one of the better teams in the league in the Denver Broncos. Followed by the division-rival New York Giants and then a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Nothing better for a team that struggled the previous season than an early season test to see how they measure up.
Another big challenge for the Eagles is a game against the Green Bay Packers at majestic Lambeau Field in November. This will be a great late-season test, but all-for-not if the Eagles do not manage to stay afloat to this point.
On the flip side, four of the Eagles final six games come at home, and four of its final five opponents after their bye did not make the playoffs last year. So without further ado, I present my predictions for the upcoming 2013 Eagles schedule (all times EST)...
@ Washington Redskins (Sept. 9 @ 7:10 pm on ESPN)
This game is hard to predict as everyone is still wondering if Washington Redskins QB Robert Griffin III will be available; and if he is available, how healthy he will be. For the sake of argument, and with the aid of some pretty good recovery reports, we will assume that RGIII will be 100%.
The Redskins will also be getting back the services of two key defensive players that suffered season-ending injuries as well in DE Adam Carriker and LB Brian Orakpo. Without a first-round draft pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Redskins will, for the most part, attack their 2013 schedule with the same cast of characters from 2012. This will give them the advantage of continuity, which has seldom been seen in the Washington DC area. Also, this is the Redskins home opener.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
San Diego Chargers (Sept. 15 @ 1 pm on CBS)
The past four teams the Eagles hosted in their home opener — New Orleans Saints ‘09, Packers ‘10, Giants ‘11 & Baltimore Ravens ‘12 - all went on to win the Super Bowl. This should bring a smile to the faces of the San Diego Chargers faithful. However, the Eagles did not lose to all four of these teams that went on to Super Bowl glory, beating the Ravens in 2012.
The Chargers stumbled in 2012 to the tune of a 7-9 record in what appeared to be a soft schedule. Without many offseason transactions they appear to be content with attacking 2013 with pretty much the same squad. This may not bode well for them.
My prediction - Eagles WIN
Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 19 @ 8:25 pm on NFL Network)
Former longtime Eagles head coach Andy Reid brings his new Kansas City Chiefs to Lincoln Financial Field (LFF) for a homecoming matchup. The Chiefs own the number one overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft and seem to be in-line to acquire a dominant OT. They have already addressed their QB situation by acquiring former San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith, who bring with him a winning culture.
While there does seem to be optimism surrounding the Chiefs future, this will not be a quick turnaround situation. As Reid helped turn around the Eagles franchise, it may take a little while to work the same magic in Kansas City.
My prediction - Eagles WIN
@ Denver Broncos (Sept. 29 @ 4:25 pm on NFL Network)
One of, if not the, biggest test for the Eagles comes in a matchup against Broncos QB Peyton Manning in Denver. The Broncos welcomed in one of the best slot WRs in the game today in former New England Patriots WR Wes Welker. They also signed former Eagles underachieving CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, whom many believed that the Eagles would have resigned due to his youth and upside.
No way around it, this will be a very tough game for the Eagles to escape with a win. The Broncos have Super Bowl aspirations, while the Eagles are aiming at a turn-around.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
@ New York Giants (Oct. 6 @ 1 pm on FOX)
Not too much to say here. We know them well and may have the element of surprise as nobody knows what to expect under the new Eagles regime headed by head coach Kelly. The Giants still have one of the better QBs in the league and a defense which, honestly, has slightly declined over the years but are still capable. This NFC East matchup is critical for the Eagles to get a good start on their divisional opponents.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
@ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Oct. 13 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The Buccaneers are in the midst of their own turnaround, while the Eagles are just beginning theirs. The Buccaneers have already began to build around a good, young QB in Josh Freeman and found a gem in RB Doug Martin. They also brought in some good defensive talent in the offseason in S Dashon Goldson and former Eagles DT Derek Landri (not on Goldson’s level but still serviceable).
This game is definitely hard to call at this point. Two rebuilding franchises facing off in Tampa Bay in a mid-October game.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
Dallas Cowboys (Oct. 20 @ 1 pm on FOX)
Hate is a strong word; however, so is the disdain that Eagles faithful feel for the self-proclaimed “America’s Team”. A divisional rivalry game between two teams that just basically do not like each other. By this point in the season teams will know about the system that Eagles head coach Kelly will be using. Whether the Dallas Cowboys will be able to stop it or not at LFF is a whole other question.
My Prediction - Eagles WIN
New York Giants (Oct. 27 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The second of two NFC East matchups between these two rivals will see the Eagle sporting a 1-2 divisional record at this point. Can the Eagles handle business as home to even up their divisional record?
My prediction - Eagles WIN
@ Oakland Raiders (Nov. 3 @ 4:05 pm on FOX)
The Oakland Raiders still have a question at the QB position. They thought they had answered this question when they “sold the farm” to acquire former Cincinnati Bengals QB Carson Palmer. That experiment failed as they recently traded Palmer to the Arizona Cardinals. There are many other questions all along this Raiders team.
Should I give the Eagles a win here? There have been inconsistent seasons for the Eagles over the past decade or so. However, one thing has remained consistent ... the Eagles inability to win on the West Coast.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
@ Green Bay Packers (Nov. 10 @ 1 pm on FOX)
Gone are longtime stalwarts DB Charles Woodson, WR Donald Driver and WR Greg Jennings. The Packers may not be as formidable as they once were, but they are still one of the better teams in the league. Add in home field advantage and you have a huge late-season test for the Eagles. QB Aaron Rodgers still leads this offense and LB Clay Matthews still leads this defense.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
Washington Redskins (Nov. 17 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The Redskins won the first matchup on Monday Night Football against the Eagles. That was mainly due to the uncertainty of when the Eagles will begin to gel.
My prediction - Eagles WIN
Bye Week
Former Eagles head coach Reid was masterful at winning games after the Eagles bye. Let us hope that new Eagles head coach Kelly can continue this tradition.
This late bye week will be difficult for the Eagles. However, if they are competitive to this point the late bye will be a blessing. Sporting a 5-6 record at this point in the season, with a 3-2 divisional record, lands the Eagles dead in the middle of the playoff hunt. This bye will give the Eagles a chance to get healthy after a tough start to the season.
Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 1 @ 1 pm on FOX)
Revenge will be on the mind of the Eagles faithful as the Cardinals embarrassed them last season in Arizona. The Cardinals have just four road wins in the last three seasons, which should bode well for the Eagles. New QB Palmer and beloved WR Larry Fitzgerald will have other plans.
My prediction - Eagle WIN
Detroit Lions (Dec. 8 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The Detroit Lions surpassed expectations in 2011, but fell well below them in 2012. No one is sure which Lions team will show up in 2013. One thing that we do know is that the Lions, who had the second-best passing game in the league last year, will be a big test for the Eagles new defense. The Lions recently signed former Eagles great, K David Akers will have a homecoming of sorts, if he remains on the roster.
My prediction - Eagles WIN
@ Minnesota Vikings (Dec. 16 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The Eagles have been pretty solid in run defense recently and the Minnesota Vikings have the best RB in the league in Adrian Peterson. Something's gotta give right? However, the Vikings now find themselves questionable at the QB position and missing their top target WR Percy Harvin.
This game could definitely go either way. Home field advantage could be very huge here.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
Chicago Bears (Dec. 23 @ 1 pm on FOX)
The Chicago Bears settled with a 10-6 record in 2012, just missing the playoffs. They are 14-10 on the road since 2010 and will be a formidable test for the Eagles at LFF.
Controlling the middle of that defense will no longer be the responsibility of current free agent LB Brian Urlacher. Also gone is former Bears head coach Lovie Smith, being succeeded by head coach Marc Trestman. The Bears, while very traditional, are in the midst of a transition.
My prediction - Eagles WIN
@ Cowboys (Dec. 29 @ 1 pm on FOX)
This end-of-season game between these bitter rivals has had mixed results over the years. Sometimes bringing embarrassing results to one of the two franchises.
My prediction - Eagles LOSE
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