2011 NFL Predictions: The 5 Toughest Games on the Philadelphia Eagles' Schedule

The Philadelphia Eagles have had one of the most successful free-agent signing seasons of any team in recent memory. With all the new talent added to a defending division champ, it’s hard not to see them as one of the leading Super Bowl contenders in the NFC.

Still, as the Miami Heat learned a few weeks ago, they don’t just hand you a championship for having great players. The Eagles will have to earn the NFC title, and their regular-season schedule is no cakewalk.

Even with the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys both coming off terrible seasons, it’s a mistake to sleep on any divisional matchups in the NFC East. Even so, it’s the non-divisional games that will have more Eagles fans worried about their team’s chances.

Read on for a look at the five toughest games on Philly’s slate in 2011.

5. November 9 vs. Chicago Bears

With all the abuse heaped on Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that his improvement (in spite of ephemeral pass protection) turned the Bears from a sub-.500 team into a division champion. As usual, though, it’s the defense that will determine whether the Bears win or lose in Philadelphia.

If Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher are both healthy, even Michael Vick won’t have an easy time moving the ball against Chicago. The Bears secondary is vulnerable to deep speed (a trait the Eagles have in abundance), but there are few teams better equipped to keep Vick in the pocket and make him a passer instead of a runner.

With the game being at Lincoln Financial Field, the Bears’ chances aren’t great, but the Eagles will have to take this matchup seriously to avoid an upset.

4. November 20 at New York Giants

One of the few tough road games the Eagles face this season will be their annual visit to their not-quite-neighbors at the Meadowlands. The New York Giants would love to avenge last season’s devastating Week 17 loss to DeSean Jackson and Philly, and the always-vocal crowd will certainly be in full voice.

Vick’s elusiveness will keep the fearsome New York pass rush at bay, but Corey Webster and the Giants’ secondary will be a tough challenge for the Eagles’ talented receiving corps. On the other side, assuming Eli Manning’s receivers are healthy this time around, he’ll put even the mighty Eagles cornerbacks to the test.

Philadelphia was already a faster team than the Giants last year, and they’ve added a ton of speed in the offseason. The Giants will be a threat, but it will take some big breaks for New York to come out on top in this one.

3. December 18 vs. New York Jets

The focus here will be on the showdowns between football’s two best corners—Nnamdi Asomugha and Darrelle Revis—and two elite receivers in DeSean Jackson and Santonio Holmes. Just as important, though, will be the performance of the New York Jets’ overachieving front seven against Michael Vick and the Philadelphia ground game.

The Eagles’ front seven will have challenges of its own, with new D-linemen Jason Babin and Cullen Jenkins looking to pressure Mark Sanchez while still containing the Jets’ running attack. If the ground game gets going, rookie MLB Casey Matthews will have his hands full diagnosing Sanchez’s play fakes.

The deciding factor here could be the weather. If ice or snow slow down the fleet-footed Eagles, the Jets are better equipped to win a ball-control battle.

On a clear field, though, the Eagles will be the favorites at home.

2. November 27 vs. New England Patriots

Even assuming that Asante Samuel gets traded, the Eagles will have one of the league’s deepest cornerback pools. They’ll need every one of them against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

Brady has long since established his ability to pick apart even the best defenses when he’s on his game, regardless of the name recognition (or lack thereof) of his receivers. The onus will be on Jason Babin and the Eagles’ line to bring pressure and keep Brady from getting comfortable in the pocket.

Defensively, the Patriots are a bit of a mystery right now as they work on the transition to a 4-3 front. If the new team and new scheme get Albert Haynesworth playing like his old self, even Michael Vick will have a tough time putting up points.

If this game were in Foxboro, the Patriots would be hands-down favorites. At home, the Eagles have a shot, but they’ll have to be at the top of their game to overcome New England.

1. September 18 at Atlanta Falcons

Whoever comes out on top in this battle of the birds will be the early-season favorite for the NFC championship. The Eagles’ secondary will still be gelling into game shape in this Week 2 meeting. They’ll have to stand up to their toughest challenge of the season against Matt Ryan, Roddy White and rookie Julio Jones.

Defensively, the same weaknesses exposed by the Green Bay Packers in last year’s playoffs will give the Atlanta Falcons fits against Michael Vick and the speedy Eagles wideouts. This game could be a shootout for the ages if the Philly defense doesn’t lock down Matt Ryan.

Michael Vick is no stranger to putting on a show in the Georgia Dome. Even with a great game from the ex-Atlanta QB, though, Philadelphia will be hard pressed to come away with a road win against one of the best teams in the NFL.