Predicting the Eagles Record Game-By Game: Unfamiliar but Fun Territory

Drew Balis
Sep 6, 2018 · 11 min read

Editor’s Note: Every year in the days leading up to the NFL season, we predict the Eagles record game-by-game, playing win-loss with the schedule. We of course reserve the right to change our mind on a game-by-game basis as the season evolves in terms of injuries, team development, etc, but this is meant to take a stab at how we initially see the season playing out. Last year’s version can be found here. You are welcome to hold us accountable if we are wrong. The only thing we ask is that you’re not a sanctimonious hardo who throws stones from your glass house. Have the courage to go on the record with your own predictions and have the humility to admit if you are wrong, no strings attached. We sincerely hope you enjoy.

One of my favorite yearly articles and exercises is upon us. It’s time to play win-loss with the Eagles schedule.

I will be the first person to admit that this is not exactly scientific in nature. We attempt to gather as much information and context as possible — hence the reason for doing this now as opposed to when the schedule first comes out like some attention seekers — but the idea of predicting individual games three months in advance is challenging of course.

For example, last year I had the Eagles losing to the Broncos in Week 9 heading into the season. I thought Denver was a good team, and it looked like a trap game to me with the Eagles potentially looking ahead to Dallas. They beat Denver by 28 points, tied for their biggest margin of victory all year.

We knew the Eagles offensive had the potential to be explosive, but they were even more so than we could have imagined, and the Broncos were much more of a mess than we imagined. Few predicted Brock Osweiler would be the starting quarterback in that game.

Point being, things change. We try our best with what we know, and some stuff could be completely ridiculous to look back on, but we do our best.

I elaborate a bit more at the end but don’t want to delve into too much detail here at the risk of spoiling anything.

Let’s hit it.

Win (1–0)

I’ll be honest, this opener scares the shit out of me, probably more than any opener since — well — Atlanta 2015. While I’m not as high on them as others, the Falcons are the only NFC team to make the playoffs two years straight.

They believe they let January slip away and will be out for blood against a somewhat banged up Eagles team. Will the defending Super Bowl champion go down two years in a row like last year’s Patriots did to the Chiefs?

It could happen, but I keep reminding myself that Nick Foles has historically played well against Cover 3 defenses. I will also be at this game, and I have a 13–3 record in my life at Eagles games. Does this matter? I like to believe it does.

Most importantly, the Falcons offensive line still can’t block Fletcher Cox one-on-one. Zach Ertz starts the scoring for the Eagles, and Nelson Agholor puts an exclamation point on it early in the fourth quarter to seal an Opening Night win, 23–16.

Even without Carson Wentz, Alshon Jeffery, and Nick Foles, the Eagles are off and running.

Win (2–0)

This will scream ‘trap game’ to some should the Eagles win the opener, but they’ll have extra time to prepare to face a backup quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I was high on the Buccaneers going into last season and still believe they have a lot of talent, but it hasn’t come together particularly well. This is a game for two and a half quarters, but the Eagles pull away late and defeat another NFC South opponent.

Win (3–0)

Colts head coach Frank Reich will get a nice ovation prior to the game, but it will be nothing compared to the one Carson Wentz receives running out of the tunnel for his season debut.

The Eagles put up 27 points in the first half behind two Wentz touchdown passes to Alshon Jeffery, also back from injury. Nick Foles ends up getting the fourth quarter in a laugher over the Colts, who are still finding their footing.

Angelo’s callers begin making hotel reservations for Atalanta.

Loss (3–1)

Did the reservations come with a warranty? Historically the Eagles have never played well in Tennessee, and while only Jason Peters and Brandon Graham remain from the 2010 team, this feels like a tough matchup.

In a game reminiscent of Seattle last year, the Eagles struggle to get much going offensively until it’s too little too late and suffer their first blemish of the season. Thankfully, it’s against an AFC opponent.

Win (4–1)

NFC Championship game rematch. The quarterbacks are different, and this one is much closer, but the Eagles again are victorious.

This time, rather than the departed Patrick Robinson, it’s Sidney Jones who introduces himself to the league with a pick six of Kirk Cousins. Jay Ajayi goes for more than 100 yards, and Eagles bounce back quickly from Tennessee.

Win (5–1)

Short week in the Meadowlands. This is a dangerous game. Even last year when the Eagles finished with 11 more wins than the Giants, they played two games that came down to the final possession.

I expect the Giants to be decently improved, but it might take their offense some time to gel in the first half of the season. Jake Elliott knocks another game-winning field goal through (not 61 yards though) at the buzzer as the Eagles win 26–23 to move to 5–1.

Win (6–1)

Save for Pete Morelli — who should be in prison — trying to ruin the game and make it about him, this was one of the best contests of last season.

Two really good teams going at it again. I’ve become a big Cam Newton fan but feel like he can be a of a different quarterback away from home. With extra time to prepare, the Eagles defense passes a big test as Michael Bennett makes his presence felt with a sack and forced fumble. Headed overseas 7–1.

Loss (6–2)

Another tough AFC matchup. Could it be a Super Bowl preview?

Following another three-game winning streak, the Eagles suffer a bit of a letdown here with a sluggish start.

The defensive line keeps Leonard Fournette in check, but Jalen Ramsey and the Jaguars defense give the Eagles fits. They return home for a much-needed bye week 6–2.

Win (7–2)

A Dallas week in Philadelphia that matters for the first time since 2015!

Similar to last season’s first matchup, the Eagles enter fresh off a bye to a raucous Sunday night crowd.

By now, Timmy Jernigan is back and gives the Eagles defensive line a nice boost. Ronald Darby jumps a route on a Dak Prescott pass right before halftime, and it’s a party at the Linc as the Eagles bounce back from the London loss.

Loss (7–3)

This has the chance to be an instant classic type of game. It’s a shame it’s currently set to be a 1 p.m., although in terms of navigating the Superdome, maybe that’s a good thing.

I think the Eagles come up just short here in a game that could see both teams end up in the 40’s when all is said and done. Drew Brees — like he has done so often before — finds Michael Thomas for a touchdown in the final minute for a Saints 44–41 win.

Win (8–3)

It may not be reflective with me picking an Eagles sweep, but I do expect the Giants to be in the wildcard race late in the season.

This game won’t help them. The Eagles have won four straight against their division rival at the Linc going back to 2014, and five of the last six since 2012. A long Nelson Agholor touchdown wakes up a sleepy crowd filled with Thanksgiving leftovers as the Eagles win by double digits.

Win (9–3)

This game gets the Monday night treatment for the second year in a row.

For multiple reasons, my hate for the Redskins has grown in recent years. While they may never be on the level of the Cowboys and Giants, they’re close. At this point, Wentz is nearly a full year recovered from the ACL and puts on a show akin to last October. Jalen Mills, who always seems to play well against the Skins, takes an Alex Smith pick six to the house. Eagles by double digits as they move to 4–0 in the division.

Loss (9–4)

These teams have split the regular season every year going back to 2013.

The Eagles are better than the Cowboys on paper, but I think Dallas gets one here as the Eagles come in on a short week.

A tough Sunday afternoon in Texas creates a logjam at the top of the NFC with the Eagles Rams, Saints, and Packers all battling for homefield advantage, but even with the loss, the NFC East is just about locked up.

Win (10–4)

A potential NFC Championship Game preview? This one should appear on a bunch of preseason ‘Top 5 games of the Year’ lists and lives up to its billing again.

Carson Wentz sees this one through to conclusion, finding Zach Ertz for a 9-yard touchdown strike with less than a minute to go, out-dueling Jared Goff and showing that he’s the superior quarterback.

The Eagles get a big road win and officially lock up the NFC East and take over the number one seed with two weeks to play.

Win (11–4)

This game features two stud young quarterbacks who will be the best signal callers in the game for the next decade.

It’s a shame that they only play once every four years.

This win will look more impressive in December than it does now as the Texans are on their way to a playoff birth. Wentz does enough to outplay Deshaun Watson as the Eagles go 8–0 at the Linc in the regular season.

(Win 12–4)

Remember last year when the entire offseason messaging was ‘Kickoff in Landover’? We went down and got it done, setting the tone for a great season.

This year, the Eagles close the regular season campaign in Landover. Washington is a competent team on paper, but at this point, they’re playing out the string while the Eagles are looking to clinch homefield advantage again.

The offense starts a bit slow but gets rolling right before halftime and pulls away in the fourth quarter as Fletcher Cox puts Alex Smith on his back for a game-clinching sack. Enjoy a well-deserved two weeks off.

Divisional Playoffs — Win

The Eagles get their long-awaited revenge against the Saints for playoff losses in the 2006 and 2013 seasons.

The Saints aren’t in the Superdome for this one, and Alvin Kamara can’t walk the walk on the road.

Jim Schwartz’ rested defense is ready for Drew Brees, forcing two early turnovers as the Eagles pound the Saints on the ground early. The fourth quarter is mostly a celebration as the Eagles will host the NFC Championship Game the following weekend.

NFC Championship — Win

Carson Wentz vs. Aaron Rodgers for a trip to the Super Bowl. How epic does that sound?

Hopefully we get that matchup at least a few more times before Rodgers hangs up his cleats. I think we will.

This one is not as easy as Case Keenum and the Vikings were last year. The Eagles trail in the fourth quarter, but a two-minute drill and Jake Elliott 49 yard field goal as time expires sends this contest to overtime.

Eagles win the toss and on second down Wentz hits Corey Clement on a wheel route down the right sideline. One man to beat and he’s gone. Clement dives into the end zone with Wentz and his linemen running down the field to greet him.

In what will be remembered as an all-time classic, the Eagles are back in the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl — Loss

I see the Eagles having a very similar season to the 2014 Seahawks where they make it back to the Super Bowl but come up just short.

Not because Doug does something as egregious as what Pete Carroll tried, just that they’re a bit out of gas.

While it’s been done in the past, it’s hard to beat an AFC team twice in one season. The Eagles are in this game throughout and even have a lead in the third quarter, but Deshaun Watson is perfect when it matters most as the Texans win by the touchdown.

A valiant title defense comes up one game short that leaves mixed emotions but the underlying win of knowing the franchise quarterback is healthy and they’ll be other opportunities upcoming.

Know someone who wants to talk some Eagles or football in general and would enjoy this post? Would mean the world to me if you smashed that recommend button and shared. 💚🏈

Drew Balis

Written by

Social/Digital advertising. Philly sports fan. I predicted the Super Bowl would go to overtime 3 days before it happened, and my haters are still mad about it.

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