Eagles 2022 Game By Game Predictions
This is always one of my favorite week of the season traditions where I go through and predict the Eagles season on a week-by-week basis.
The game-by-game results may not always prove accurate, but we do have some precedent of being relatively accurate from an overall body of work standpoint. For example, last year we predicted them to finish 9–8 but just miss out on the playoffs. They finished exactly 9–8 and made the playoffs, but enough about the 2021 Eagles.
Let’s turn our attention to 2022, and with it establish a couple big picture thoughts that will govern the predictions. One thing I always feel like society struggles with as a whole is the idea that two things can be true at once. For example
- I think the Eagles are going to have an incredibly fun season. It’s a good roster with an a good head coach playing in a weak conference and weaker division.
- I think those with Super Bowl expectations are setting themselves up for disappointment. Can they get there? Sure, but the idea of a still relatively unproven quarterback having to go through the likes of Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Tom Brady in the playoffs is daunting on the surface.
You can probably guess where I’m going here, but hopefully I didn’t give too many spoilers away, and the actual predictions will be much more entertaining than this opening.
Let’s turn that music up and get into it:
Win (1–0)
With the exception of perhaps playing the game at home instead of on the road, it would be hard-pressed to script a better Opening Day opponent for the Eagles. Nothing is ever guaranteed, but this is a game that they should win, and they will win. We may have come to take for granted just how good of a Week 1 team the Eagles have been in recent history. They are 11–3 over the past 14 years with the only losses being 2010, 2015, and 2020. Last time I checked, 22 isn’t a multiple of five, so we should be good here.
On a serious note, the Lions just aren’t that good, Hard Knocks hype train aside. Dallas Goedert scores the first touchdown of the season, Miles Sanders scores his first touchdown since December 2019 (crazy 🤯), James Bradberry in his Eagles debut picks off Jared Goff as the Birds roll 29–13.
The Eagles are 1–0 and have some juice heading into a Monday Night home opener.
Win (2–0)
I am very high on the Vikings this year and expect them to be a playoff team, but they will need to overcome a tough schedule out of the gates and a slow start to get there.
Kirk Cousins has historically played very well against the Eagles throughout his career, but it’s rare that he’s faced an Eagles defense with this many playmakers.
A charged up Linc crowd after eight hours of tailgating brings the noise from the moment ‘For Those About To Rock’ starts playing in player intros. AJ Brown catches a long touchdown from Jalen Hurts late in the fourth quarter as the home team pulls away 34–24.
As -E-A-G-L-E-S chants ring into the midnight air upon exiting the stadium, someone drops the S word and is immediately told to shut up. It’s too early for that.
The Eagles are 2–0.
Loss (2–1)
I know everyone is hungry to sweep Carson Wentz, but I have a bad feeling about this game and have for most of the offseason. It’s never easy down in DC, and their defense gave the Eagles some real fits last December.
This one turns into a defensive struggle with a Jalen Hurts fumble late in the fourth quarter setting up a game-winning Commanders field goal as the Eagles fall 16–13.
A semi-retired Les Bowen, who was always a big fan of Wentz, asks in the postgame press conference ‘Carson, did it feel good to beat the quarterback who ultimately took your job?’ In a rare moment of color, Carson responds by saying ‘Not as good as it felt to beat the buffoon head coach who sabotaged my career,’ referring to the Commanders’ Week 1 win over Doug Pederson and Jacksonville.
Washington’s PR guy tries to stop the press conference but not before Eliot Shorr-Parks sneaks a question in. ‘Carson, if I could follow up, it is believed that one of the issues during your time in Philadelphia was not always taking accountability, so just to be clear, are you fully blaming Doug for 2020 and claiming you didn’t have any culpability in it?’
All of a sudden the lights go out in the media room, and while it’s thought that it was done on purpose, it turns out the electric wiring at FedEx Field was simply old and overdue to be replaced.
The Eagles are 2–1, but people are not happy.
Win (3–1)
This one is a beatdown as the Eagles come out angry after having dropped a winnable game in Washington. Trevor Lawrence turns the ball over four times and has national shows the following day questioning if he’s actually the Jaguars guy.
DeVonta Smith catches two long touchdowns and in a rare glimpse of emotion fires a ball seven rows into the stands.
I’m not losing to Doug Pederson the day before my birthday. It’s a 41–10 win.
The Eagles are 3–1.
Loss (3–2)
The last time the Eagles won in Arizona, George W. Bush was serving his first term as president. I know because I did an electric fourth grade report on the Bush-Gore recount, which resulted in a standing ovation from my class.
Back to the subject at hand, Arizona is an absolute house of horrors for the Eagles and has been for nearly 20 years. If you read my column, you know how relieved I was to not play them on Opening Day, and if you didn’t read my column, I’d consider doing that or risk having your wedding invitation revoked.
Kyler Murray scampers for a go-ahead touchdown with 20 seconds to go as the Cardinals win 38–35. Following the game, Jonathan Gannon is criticized for not being aggressive enough in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles are 3–2.
Win (4–2)
The Cowboys also enter this Sunday Night matchup at 3–2, setting up an early season battle with first place in the NFC East on the line. There’s a lot of pressure on the Eagles going into this matchup: Being the home team, Jalen Hurts being 0–2 against Dallas in his career, and the Cowboys really owning this rivalry post-Eagles Super Bowl.
The Eagles are tired of all those narratives and jump out to an early 14–0 lead behind two Goedert touchdowns, who always seems to play his best against Dallas.
The Cowboys hang around and driving in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the game when a Brandon Graham strip sack stalls their momentum. Rookie Jordan Davis falls on the football, and the Linc is the loudest it has been since the beginning of the Seattle playoff game nearly three years ago. 30–20 good guys.
All of Philadelphia exhales, and the Eagles are 4–2.
Win (5–2)
There’s usually a random Eagles loss at some point, and I was tempted to pick it (not to be mistaken for Steelers rookie Kenny Pickett) here, but a defense with this much talent should be able to handle a middling Steelers offense.
Following a sluggish first half out of the bye week, Jalen Hurts and the offense settle in and begin to get their sea legs in the third quarter following a Darius Slay interception of Mitch Trubisky.
Another Trubisky interception late in the fourth quarter, this time by Chauncey Gardner-Johnson sets up a Jake Elliott game-winning field goal from 43 yards out as the Eagles survive 23–20.
The Eagles are 5–2.
Win (6–2)
Weird things tend to happen on Thursday Night Football, especially on the road, and the short week can sometimes be an equalizer when there’s a gap in talent, but this is a big gap in talent that I expect the Eagles to exploit.
The Eagles trail 3–0 midway through the second quarter when Hurts connects with Quez Watkins on a deep ball 60 yard touchdown that has pro-Hurts Eagles Twitter in a frenzy.
The following day, OG Wade calls every WIP show and declares it the greatest throw in NFL history. ‘Wade, enough! Quez had four steps on Steven Nelson. It was a nice throw, but let’s not go crazy here,’ says Jon Marks.
The Birds end up rolling to a comfortable 27–13 win as Haason Reddick notches two second half sacks of Davis Mills.
The Eagles are 6–2 and get the benefit of a mini bye week before a rematch with the Commanders at home.
Win (7–2)
Yeah, the Eagles are winning this game. The Commanders enter at 3–6 on a three-game losing streak (following this their schedule gets incredibly soft where I wouldn’t be surprised to see them make a mini run), but this sets up to be a blowout.
Hurts runs for two touchdowns and throws another long bomb to Devon Allen who is called up from the practice squad. A garbage time Terry McLaurin touchdown makes the score seem slightly closer than it really was. 36–23 Eagles.
The Eagles are 7–2 and on a four-game winning streak.
Angelo opens his Tuesday morning show by saying ‘Rhea, I’m gonna be here until late February. Push the retirement tour back again.’ 🐐
Loss (7–3)
Matt Ryan has always seemed like a great guy, and I would never wish injury upon him, but can you imagine if some scenario gave way to Nick Foles playing in this game? Actually, on second thought, let’s not put that out there, I don’t know if my heart could handle that.
This is a classic trap game for the Eagles, going on the road coming off a short week with two big home games to follow. Jonathan Taylor exploits a sluggish defense, rumbling for 150 yards and two touchdowns.
The Eagles come alive in the fourth quarter and make it a one score game, but that’s as close as they’ll get. A Hurts Hail Mary is batted down, and the Birds drop this one 27–20.
The Eagles are 7–3.
Loss (7–4)
A Sunday after Thanksgiving date with Aaron Rodgers in primetime? There’s palpable buzz throughout the parking lot for this one, a game that could shape NFC Playoff seeding.
Unfortunately the actual result is disappointing. By this point, Rodgers has had some time to gel with his young receivers, and while the Eagles improved secondary does what they can, it’s not enough as this one turns into a shootout.
40–31 Packers. Despite an overall impressive body of work on the season, Gannon is not a popular man on WIP the following day as the Eagles drop two in a row for the first time since October 2021.
The Eagles are 7–4 heading into December.
Win (8–4)
Nerves are high going into this one following the two-game losing streak. The Titans aren’t the juggernaut that they were in 2021 but still a respectable team and losing here would have the city in a true panic, understandably so.
Britain Covey ensures from the jump that it ain’t happening, taking the Opening kickoff to the house. With a 10-point lead in the second half, Nick Sirianni makes a concerted effort to get the ball in A.J. Brown’s hands as much as possible. He finishes the game with 170 yards and two scores as the Eagles roll 38–17.
The Eagles are 8–4. Everyone exhale.
Win (9–4)
On the first play from scrimmage, Brandon Graham sacks Daniel Jones, sprints towards the Giants sideline and yells ‘DISRESPECT MY ASS. WHERE YOU AT JOE JUDGE?! I’M COMIN FOR YOU.’
As a brawl nearly breaks out, Fletcher Cox runs over, grabs Graham, and says ‘BG, Joe Judge isn’t the coach no more. He was fired last year.’
‘I know,’ says BG. ‘But I ain’t get to play against them last year, so I had to do it.’
Giant killer Boston Scott is responsible for the Eagles two touchdowns as they win 23–14.
The Eagles are 9–4. See you in the Windy City.
Win (10–4)
The Eagles are back in the wonderful city of Chicago for the first time since the Double Doink game, which was not Cody Parkey’s fault. The kick was partially blocked by Eagles defensive tackle Treyvon Hester. Look it up.
I’ll be making the trip for this one, and with the Bears already eliminated from playoff contention, I expect a big Eagles contingent in attendance.
With temperatures in the 30s and the wind whipping, the Eagles turn to their running game as Sanders and Kenny Gainwell both eclipse the century mark. A few days later in their weekly meeting, Jeffrey Lurie will ask Sirianni why he didn’t throw the ball more, but that’s not our problem to worry about.
Nakobe Dean notches a sack of Justin Fields midway through the fourth quarter to thwart any hopes of a Bears comeback. 27–18 Eagles win.
The Eagles are 10–4 and have reached double digit regular season wins for the first time since the 2017 Super Bowl season.
Loss (10–5)
Christmas Eve in Dallas with a chance to clinch the NFC East. This unfortunately felt like a stone cold L from the moment the schedule came out. Playing three consecutive road games in December is always tough. It’s not an excuse, but when you factor in that the Eagles haven’t won in Dallas since 2017, there’s too much working against them here.
There will be no T-shirts and hats in the locker room after the game as the Cowboys win 31–19, improving their record to 9–6.
The Eagles are 10–5 and still in the driver’s seat for the division, but they have work to do in the weeks ahead.
Win (11–5)
The third straight season that the Eagles and Saints meet at The Linc and this one has the most on the line. A win can not only wrap up the division but also improve the Saints’ first round pick that will ultimately become the Eagles’ possession.
The Saints lead throughout most of this one until Gardner-Johnson intercepts Jameis Winston to give the Eagles life. Elliott is good from 50 yards at the gun, and for the first time in the Nick Sirianni era, we’ve got overtime.
The Eagles win the toss, and a fired up DeVonta Smith runs up to Sirianni yelling ‘Lattimore can’t cover me! Get me the ball!’
On the first play from scrimmage in OT, he takes a slant pass 75 yards to the house as the Eagles win 29–23.
The Eagles are 11–5 and more importantly NFC East Champions for the first time since 2019.
Win (12–5)
The Eagles enter the regular season finale with an outside shot at the number two seed, but when scoreboard watching reveals that’s unfortunately not going to happen, Sirianni pulls most of his starters as the second half belongs to Gardner Minshew.
Zach Pascal and Kennedy Brooks — called up from the practice squad — both score touchdowns as the Birds win 26–20.
The Eagles finish the regular season 12–5 and await their playoff opponent.
Win (Wildcard Weekend)
The Vikings come to town for another playoff game, and the buildup as usual is epic. Joe DeCamara’s Bathtub Time Machine segment waxes poetic about Freddie Mitchell’s hands and Patrick Robinson’s pick six.
Chris Long and LeGarrette Blount serve as honorary captains, sending a Sunday Night Linc crowd who went two seasons without a home playoff game into overdrive.
With four minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Eagles clinging to a 24–21 lead, they’re forced to punt. JAGlen Reagor fumbles the return, and TJ Edwards takes it back for a touchdown.
Justin Jefferson stares in disbelief on the Vikings sideline, saying to Kirk Cousins ‘I cannot believe that guy was picked before me.’
Eagles win 31–21.
Loss (Divisional Playoffs)
The Packers have a recent history of home playoff losses, but sadly I don’t see it happening here. The regular season game proves costly as it results in this one being played at Lambeau as opposed to The Linc.
Coming out of the two-minute warning, former Eagle Rasul Douglas breaks up a Hurts fourth down pass intended for Brown. The Packers run out the clock for a 28–20 victory.
A fun season ends in freezing cold Wisconsin.
Overall
The Good: The Eagles return to being the being the class of the NFC East, and Nick Sirianni takes home Coach of the Year. Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean both have good rookie seasons, ensuring a revamped defense is in good hands going forward. Jalen Hurts stays healthy for the full season.
The Bad: A talented roster falls a couple games short of the ultimate goal. There’s still not a clear answer on if Hurts is or isn’t the guy long-term, and with neither their own pick nor the Saints’ pick high enough to get involved in the Bryce Young-CJ Stroud derby, the franchise faces a critical quarterback decision. Pay Hurts and ensure some stability there but risk making team building more difficult? Explore a blockbuster trade for a veteran who wants a change of scenery a la Russell Wilson and the Broncos this past year? Whatever happens, I’m sure we’ll all discuss it rationally on Twitter 😉
