Breaking Down Philadelphia Eagles' Late-Season Schedule

For the second straight year, Chip Kelly has the Philadelphia Eagles right in the middle of the NFC East race despite switching quarterbacks during the middle of the season.

Last year, Nick Foles took over for an injured Michael Vick and produced one of the most magical 10-game stretches in league history, throwing 27 touchdowns against just two interceptions. 

This season, veteran Mark Sanchez has taken over for an injured Foles. However, unlike Foles last year, Sanchez hasn't played particularly well, turning the ball over eight times in just three-and-a-half games. 

The Eagles currently stand at 8-3, tied with the Dallas Cowboys for first place in the NFC East. They have three straight pivotal games on their schedule, as they travel to Dallas on Thanksgiving before hosting the Seattle Seahawks and then the Cowboys again.

The season's final two games, against the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants, could serve as classic spoiler games as the Eagles hunt for their second straight division title. 

The following slides will break down the five remaining games for the Eagles as they hunt for their 11th postseason appearance in the new millennium. 

Week 13: At Dallas Cowboys

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Coming off a blowout win over the Tennessee Titans, the Eagles will travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys with first place in the NFC East on the line. 

It's the Cowboys who are favored by three points, as they're fresh off a thrilling Sunday Night Football victory against the division-rival New York Giants. Owner Jerry Jones admitted that the Cowboys have already started preparing for the Eagles, something that linebacker Connor Barwin has never heard of before. 

Dallas' vaunted offensive line, complete with three first-round picks, was in vintage form against the Giants, as Tony Romo had all day to sit in the pocket and pick apart the Giants secondary.

The Eagles, led by Bennie Logan and Cedric Thornton, have been doing their share of trash-talking this week. Logan said that the Cowboys have "OK linemen," while Thornton said the Cowboys aren't "untouchable like everybody thinks they are." 

The keys to the game, other than the Eagles pass rush against the Cowboys offensive line, will be Mark Sanchez limiting turnovers and LeSean McCoy's ability to pick up yards on the ground. 

It's going to be pretty hard for the Eagles to win on the road on a short week, yet I think this is actually one of those games where the Eagles turn in a complete performance in all three phases of the game. 

Prediction: Eagles 37, Cowboys 20

Week 14: Vs. Seattle

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Don't count out the Seattle Seahawks. The defending Super Bowl champions may have four losses already this season, but look who they've defeated. They beat the Green Bay Packers by 20, the Denver Broncos in overtime and the Arizona Cardinals by 16. 

If Seattle reaches the playoffs, which would likely be as a wild-card team, it's still capable of getting hot and winning the Super Bowl for the second straight season (yes, even without home-field advantage). 

For the Eagles, Russell Wilson's ability to extend plays with his legs will allow his receivers time to get open against a porous secondary. Marshawn Lynch is still one of the most powerful runners in the NFL, and defensive backs Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas are among the best in the game. 

There are a lot of unfavorable matchups for the Eagles. In a game that might mean more to the Seahawks' fading playoff hopes than the Eagles' quest for the division title, it's Seattle that takes this one in a low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Seahawks 20, Eagles 16

Week 15: Vs. Dallas

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For the second time in three weeks, the Eagles and Cowboys will play in a game that will likely determine everything from a first-round bye in the postseason to the final wild-card spot. 

It's the Eagles who will be going for the sweep here, assuming they do win the first battle as I predicted, while it's the Cowboys who will be looking to prevent that epic December collapse that seems to happen basically every single season. 

But these aren't your 2011, 2012 or 2013 Cowboys. This is a different team, one that started the season 6-1 and really hasn't faded like many, including myself, have predicted. They'll win the rematch and stay in the hunt for the division title. 

Prediction: Cowboys 27, Eagles 24, OT

Week 16: At Washington

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At this point, the Washington Redskins will likely be trying to play spoiler and stop the Eagles' quest for either a division title or a wild-card spot. Who knows who will be playing quarterback in the nation's capital at this point? It could be Robert Griffin III, Kirk Cousins or Colt McCoy. Or maybe Jay Gruden will bring back Donovan McNabb or Joe Theismann to play quarterback for the final few games of the season. 

The Redskins are a mess, and the only thing they'll be playing for at this point in the season is pride. Apart from DeSean Jackson, none of the 53 players on the team (and I use the word "team" loosely) will have anything left to play for.

Unfortunately, another big game by Jackson against Cary Williams seems likely, but the rest of the Redskins should be no match for an Eagles team that will hopefully be hitting their stride in the season's final few weeks.

Prediction: Eagles 33, Redskins 17

Week 17: At NY Giants

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In 2012, the New York Giants defeated the Eagles 42-7 in the season's final game. Even though Andy Reid wasn't officially fired until the next day, it was obvious that the Eagles' 4-12 season, which included a 1-11 finish, would cost him his job. 

In 2014, the Eagles may have a chance to return the favor against Tom Coughlin. The two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach for the Giants might be fired after missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. Or he might choose to step down. 

"

According to http://t.co/7MBRwIvyq9, odds of Rex Ryan getting fired by Jets is 2-5. Odds of Tom Coughlin not returning to Giants is 4-5.

— Paul Schwartz (@NYPost_Schwartz) November 18, 2014"

The NFC East won't be decided by the final game of the season, as it has in four of the last five years. But expect the Eagles to be fighting for some spot in the postseason, whether it's a first-round bye, the division title or a wild-card spot. 

The Giants just aren't good enough to play spoiler. A three-interception game from Eli Manning should allow the Eagles to end the season with wins in two straight games, and yes, 11-5 will qualify the Eagles for the postseason. 

Prediction: Eagles 31, Giants 19