After a surprising 9-8 season and a playoff berth in 2021, the Eagles attacked the offseason and made a series of moves that have positioned them for an even better 2022. On paper, the Eagles look like contenders but there are still questions about the coaching and quarterback which could potentially hold them back. They’ll be in a slightly tougher division than last year if the Giants and Commandes take a step forward which I think they can. But it should be the Eagles and Cowboys fighting for the division title come December and I think they have a real chance to win the NFC East.
Obviously, we’ll have no idea how the season plays out but for now, the only thing we can do is look ahead and predict what could potentially happen.
Here are my predictions on how all 18 games will turn out:
Week 1: Eagles at Lions
The season starts with what should be a layup for a clearly-superior Eagles team. While the Lions’ additions of edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson and wide receivers Jameson Williams and DJ Chark certainly make them better on paper. I don’t think Jared Goff and the Lions have what it takes to beat the Eagles just yet.
However, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles start with Nick Sirianni’s decision to waive much of their mandatory offseason programs along with limited preseason playing time for starters.
I think the Eagles still win, but not as convincingly as last season’s 44-6 drubbing.
Final Score: Eagles 24 – Lions 13
Eagles’ Record: 1-0
Week 2: Eagles vs. Vikings on MNF
With an extra day of rest under their belt, the Eagles take on the Vikings on Monday Night Football. Everyone knows Kirk Cousin’s horrid track record on Monday Night games. But he has won his last two starts on MNF, making him 2-9 in his career.
The Vikings are talented with two great offensive weapons in Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson and improved on defense with the addition of Z’Darius Smith and Jordan Hicks.
In the Eagles’ home opener, I think they’re going to be tested and might still be shaking off some rust after a likely limited-opportunity preseason for the starters.
I think they drop a close one.
Final Score: Eagles 23 – Vikings 28
Eagles’ Record: 1-1
Week 3: Eagles at Commanders
Carson Wentz matches up against his former team for the first time. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t have a little extra motivation for this game. It will be in Washington, without the harsh boos that will rain down upon him in week 10.
The Commanders had a fairly conservative offseason with Wentz being their biggest addition. On the offensive line, losing Brandon Scherff is a major blow and against a stacked defensive interior, the Eagles should be able to get after Wentz all day long.
I think Wentz gets off to a good start, but the Commanders didn’t improve enough from last year to hang with the Eagles. The Eagles win a defensive battle on the road.
Final Score: Eagles 20 – Commanders 17
Eagles’ Record: 2-1
Week 4: Eagles vs Jaguars
Another familiar face takes on the Eagles as Doug Pederson returns to Philadelphia against the team he took to the Super Bowl almost 5 years ago.
The Jaguars were one of the biggest spenders in free agency and look to take a step forward in 2022 behind second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Defensively, Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd beef up the middle of their defense, but their secondary is lacking. I think this is the game the offense gets rolling.
Doug Pederson should bring some stability to Jacksonville and make them slightly competitive, but the Eagles should roll here. I can’t see them dropping their first two home games.
Final Score: Eagles 37 – Jaguars 16
Eagles’ Record: 3-1
Week 5: Eagles at Cardinals
The Cardinals should be a good test for the Eagles in containing a mobile quarterback. With a revamped linebacking core, it will be interesting to see how they fare.
They will catch a break with Deandre Hopkins suspended through week 6, but the Cardinals still have weapons in Hollywood Brown, Rondale Moore, and James Conner.
I think the Cardinals start hot like they did last year and pull off the upset at home.
Final Score: Eagles 24 – Cardinals 30
Eagles’ Record: 3-2
Week 6: Eagles vs Cowboys on SNF
The Eagles have been blown out by a combined 65 points over their last three matchups with the Cowboys (including last year’s week 18 loss where all the Eagles starters sat). But regardless, the Eagles haven’t put together a good effort against the Cowboys since November 2020 where Ben DiNucci was the starting quarterback for Dallas.
It’s time the Eagles showed up against the Cowboys and prove that they are a threat to dethrone the Cowboys from their division title.
I think Dallas is a good team but could struggle to hang with the Eagles’ wide receivers. Dallas also took a hit on the offensive side, losing La’el Collins and Eagles-killer Amari Cooper. Talent-wise, I believe the Eagles are the better team and prove it in primetime.
Final Score: Eagles 27 – Cowboys 21
Eagles’ Record: 4-2
Week 7: Bye
Week 8: Eagles vs Steelers
The Steelers are entering what looks like a rebuild after the Ben Roethlisberger era with Kenny Pickett as the hopeful franchise quarterback.
While the Steelers’ defense is still very good, thanks to their defensive line the Eagles should still have their way with a weak secondary that projects to have Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon as starting cornerbacks. I’d expect big games from the duo of A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.
Final Score: Eagles 27 – Steelers 9
Eagles’ Record: 5-2
Week 9: Eagles at Texans on TNF
Another bottom-feeder that the Eagles should beat up on are the Davis Mills-led Texans. Although it’s a short week for the Eagles, they need to get this game over with early as the tough part of their schedule is on the horizon.
They roll on Thursday night.
Final Score: Eagles 41 – Texans 20
Eagles’ Record: 6-2
Week 10: Eagles vs Commanders on MNF
The week every Eagles fan has marked on their calendar: the return of Carson Wentz to Lincoln Financial Field. The once prodigal son will surely have boos rained down on him all night in what might be the most toxic environment for an opposing quarterback ever.
That being said, I think the Eagles are due for at least one game a season where they play down to their opponent and I’ve got the sinking feeling that this might be it.
I sure hope I am wrong.
Final Score: Commanders 27 – Eagles 17
Eagles’ Record: 6-3
Week 11: Eagles at Colts
After a tough loss at home, the Eagles’ schedule gets tough as they travel to Indianapolis to take on Frank Reich and the Colts.
With Matt Ryan as their new quarterback, the Colts look to be a solid team all-around. With Jonathan Taylor as one of the league’s best weapons and a solid defense, the Eagles will have a tough matchup.
Coming off a loss, I think the Eagles rebound in a close game.
Final Score: 24 Eagles – Colts 17
Eagles’ Record: 7-3
Week 12: Eagles vs Packers on SNF
What looks like the toughest game for the Eagles in 2022 will come week 12 in primetime against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers.
With Devante Adams now in Las Vegas, Green Bay isn’t quite as deadly on offense but with Aaron Rodgers under center, they won’t be easy to knock off.
I think the Eagles struggle stopping Rodgers and Aaron Jones while Jaire Alexander and company give Jalen Hurts a hard time on the other end.
Final Score: Packers 31 – Eagles 20
Eagles’ Record: 7-4
Week 13: Eagles vs Titans
Derrick Henry and company come to town in Week 13 and will give the Eagles front seven their hardest test yet.
Outside of Derrick Henry, there’s not much to be afraid of about the Titans. If the Eagles can stop Henry, they can win this game. The three big men in the middle – Fletcher Cox, Jordan Davis and Javon Hargrave – should go a long way in slowing down King Henry.
A.J. Brown should also have a little extra motivation against his old squad.
Final Score: Eagles 26 – Titans 16
Eagles’ Record: 8-4
Week 14: Eagles at Giants
Their first matchup against the division-rival Giants doesn’t come until week 14. While the Giants should be slightly improved from last year and hopefully with a healthy Saquon Barkley, they shouldn’t make too much noise in the NFC East.
Outside of Barkley, the Giants will bring back the same wide receiver core that reeled in just five touchdowns all of last season.
And while Kayvon Thibodeaux will be fun to watch, I don’t see him beating the Eagles alone as the Giants’ defense is lacking in many other areas.
Final Score: Eagles 35 – Giants 17
Eagles’ Record: 9-4
Week 15: Eagles at Bears
The Eagles head to Chicago for a sure-to-be cold matchup with the Bears. They’ll get their first look at Justin Fields but that should be all that is interesting about this game.
The Eagles roll in Chicago.
Final Score: Eagles 27 – Bears 10
Eagles’ Record: 10-4
Week 16: Eagles at Cowboys
The Eagles matchup with the division rival again in Dallas for an important week 16 matchup. The Eagles and Cowboys figure to be fairly even matched this season and I think we’ll get a season split.
Final Score: Eagles 26 – Cowboys 31
Eagles’ Record: 10-5
Week 17: Eagles vs Saints
The Saints figure to be a borderline playoff team with a few nice weapons on offense, with the return of Michael Thomas. Defensively, they boast an above-average defensive line, but the Eagles’ offensive line should be able to dominate like they did last season against the Saints.
Final Score: Eagles 38 – Saints 28
Eagles’ Record: 11-5
Week 18: Eagles vs Giants
This could be a week where the Eagles are resting their starters if they’ve clinched a playoff berth but I think the battle for the division will likely go down to the wire.
In that case, I’m also expecting the Giants to have packed it in to get ready for next season.
Final Score: Eagles 30 – Giants 14
Eagles’ Record: 12-5
Overall, I’m expecting a very good season from the Eagles and their schedule will surely allow for them to get off to a hot start and finish the season against expected below-average teams.
I think 12-5 is a fair expectation from the Birds, if they play like the team they are on paper.
Featured Image: Brynn Anderson/AP Photo
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