Philadelphia Eagles Predictions 2011: Picking Each Game for the 2011 Season

Imagine if you were unable to follow football through the lockout and instead turned on the television to see the men in green take the field in their first preseason game. For one, you would think the announcer was trying to pull a fast one on you, stating that Nnamdi Asomugha was stalking in the secondary alongside Asante Samuel and DRC. Then you see Jason Babin has returned to Philly alongside Trent Cole. Now a rookie linebacker with a last name that makes Eagle fans cringe is commanding the linebacker corps. If this was not enough to convince you that this is just your imagination running off dreaming of how you could fulfill these prophecies by swindling the computer with bad trades in Madden, you see Ronnie Brown, Vince Young, and Steve Smith on the offensive side of the ball.

Then you come to the conclusion that this is reality, and you go to book your Super Bowl tickets. But how will this "dream team" fair during the long and cruel NFL season. Let's take a look at the matchups this season and how dominating our Eagles will be.

Week 1: Eagles @ Rams

Date: 9/11

Time: 1:00PM

Ram's 2010 Stats: O Rank 26, D Rank 19

The St. Louis Rams are led by the young budding star Sam Bradford, and veteran tailback Steven Jackson. The Rams just missed the playoffs last year, and this is the year they feel that they can take hold of their division. The Rams don't necessarily have a potent offense or a stonewall defense, however teams can no longer simply walk through the Rams as they once could. Even though the Rams are on the rise for the future, I think the Eagles will have too much firepower on offense. However, I fell that the Eagle's defense will ultimately take over the game, with the pass rush and stacked secondary forcing the young star to show his inexperience.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Rams 10

Week 2: Eagles @ Falcons

Date: 9/18

Time: 8:20PM

Falcon's 2010 Stats: O Rank 16, D Rank 16

Under the lights at the Georgia Dome is where the Eagles will have their first prime time challenge of the season. This game will have the national news spotlight all over it. Vick's return to Atlanta, two divisional champions, two Super Bowl contenders, what makes better TV? The Eagles got the best of Atlanta last year, which was one of the few Atlanta losses. However, the Georgia Dome will be a lot less exceptive of Vick's return. All eyes will be on Vick, and you can expect the Falcon's defense to harass him and attempt to make his homecoming miserable. I see this game as a must win for the Falcon organization, as the fans and players will need no extra motivation than what has been previously mentioned. I think Turner will have a big day on the ground, as the Falcons run down the clock and keep the ball out of Vick's hands.

Prediction: Eagles 24, Falcons 27

Week 3: NY Giants @ Eagles

Date: 9/25

Time: 1:00PM

Giants 2010 Stats: O Rank 5, D Rank 7

The Giants have not beaten the Eagles since the 2008 season and I don't see that streak ending just yet. The Eagles will be fresh off a loss and looking to rebound against a Giants team that has had a pretty successful preseason so far. The Giants will pressure with their tremendous D-line, and will try to grind out the Eagles with their one-two punch of Jacobs and Bradshaw. I see the Giants not getting as much help on the ground as they anticipate, and instead have to rely on Eli's arm. Eli will have trouble hooking up with Nicks, and with his 3rd down security blanket playing for the other team now, he will be flustered into making bad decisions. I see this as a three pick game for Eli and the game never really being in doubt.

Predictions: Eagles 30, Giants 17

Week 4: 49ers @ Eagles

Date: 10/2

Time: 1:00PM

49ers 2010 Stats: O Rank 24, D Rank 13

New 49er coach Jim Harbaugh will have his hands full with this one. Alex Smith is still a work in progress, to say the least, and Frank Gore is not getting any younger. The 49ers defense is nothing to mock at, but I don't think they will be able to keep the Eagles off the board for long. This will be one of the easier games for the Eagles, who will win in convincing fashion.

Prediction: Eagles 27, 49ers 7

Week 5: Bills @ Eagles

Date: 10/9

Time: 1:00PM

Bills 2010 Stats: O Rank 25, D Rank 24

Fantasy owners were thrilled last year when the Bills' quarterback surprisingly rose to the top in points last year due to some terrific performances. I'm not really on the Fitz band wagon as the Bills' answer at quarterback. The Bills have some talent, but not enough to match up with the Eagles this season. The Bills will be on the road against a defense that will be on a role. Bills go down but in a high scoring fashion, as I see them having to airing it out for the majority of the game.

Prediction: Eagles 35, Bills 20

Week 6: Redskins @ Eagles

Date: 10/16

Time: 1:00PM

Redskins 2010 Stats: O Rank 18, D Rank 31

No team was as surprising as the Redskins were for their first couple of preseason games. They lead the league in total offense and look to be like an elite team. But the key words here are "preseason games."The Skins generally play well against the Eagles, traditionally splitting games in recent years. But this year the Skins will be one of the worst teams in football and Shanahan will be on the hot seat. It doesn't matter whether Rex Grossman or Beck will start, the Eagles will win plain and simple.

Prediction: Eagles 35, Redskins 10

Week 8: Cowboys @ Eagles

Date: 10/30

Time: 8:20PM

Dallas 2010 Stats: O Rank 7, D Rank 23

This is one of the biggest games on the schedule in my opinion, as this will be the first real test against a playoff caliber team since Atlanta and New York. If Romo is healthy, The Cowboys will be the Eagles' biggest threat this season. They have a quick strike offense with tons of talent, and what I see as a much better defense under new coach Jason Garrett. Under Garrett, the Cowboys have averaged 29.1 points per game and were 5-3 during this stretch. This is even scarier knowing they did this with Kitna under center. This game could go either way, but I see Dallas' running game as suspect now that Barber has left. Oh, and no big deal but Andy and gang are 11-0 after bye weeks.

Prediction: Eagles 27, Dallas 24

Week 9: Bears @ Eagles

Date:11/7

Time: 8:30PM

Chicago 2010 Stats: O Rank 30, D Rank 9

The Bears simply cannot block for questionable quarterback Jay Cutler. I bet Trent Cole and Jason Babin have this game circled on their calendars because it will be like blood in shark infested waters. Cutler will be dropped at least five times, while throwing for multiple picks. The Bears defense matches up well against the Eagles, but will need some offensive help that they will not receive.

Prediction: Eagles 17, Bears 14

Week 10: Cardinals @ Eagles

Date: 11/13

Time: 1:00PM

Cardinals 2010 Stats: O Rank 31, D Rank 29

Welcome back Kevin Kolb! The fans will give our former back up a warm greeting, however his performance during the game will not be as grand. Kolb's biggest weapon, Larry Fitzgerald, will see plenty of Asomugha so I don't see him being a huge factor, which will ultimately lead to Kolb showing his inexperience.

Prediction: Eagles 35, Cardinals 13

Week 11: Eagles @ NY Giants

Date: 11/20

Time: 8:20PM

This picture perfectly captures the last Eagles vs. Giants game in the Meadowlands. I have been an Eagles fan my entire life and I have to say that my favorite Eagles' moment was that punt return comeback against the Giants. I also thin that this memory is ripe in minds of New Yorkers who have not forgotten that game. This game will be prime time with plenty of playoff implications. Vick will be under pressure all game and Eli will have the crowd at his back. This game has the potential to go right down to the wire again. We can only hope for such a finish this year.

Prediction: Eagles 30, Giants 27

Week 12: Patriots @ Eagles

Date: 11/27

Time:4:15

Pats 2010 Stats: O Rank 8, D Rank 25

This is the toughest matchup for the Eagles all season. Tom Brady is a future Hall of Famer, and as much as I hate seeing him win, he is pretty good at it. The Patriots brought in some big time free agents of their own. Their defense is full of young and potential stars. The Eagles will be riding high from their consecutive win streak and will be a little lax in their play. The Pats will see this and expose some of the teams holes, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Brady will stay away from our elite corners, and instead target our young linebackers with underneath route receivers like Welker.

Prediction: Eagles 17, Patriots 27

Week 13: Eagles @ Seahawks

Date: 12/1

Time: 8:20PM

Seahawks 2010 Stats: O Rank 28. D Rank 27

After a tough matchup against the Pats, the birds will have to fly across the entire country to take on Pete Carol's Seahawks. Some say the Seahawks were the worst team to ever make the playoffs in history. Guess what? Any given day any team can beat any other team, which is the beauty of the NFL. I see the Seahawks winning this game. Before I get a bunch of hate mail let me explain. This is just one of those games on the schedule that favors the other team. The Eagles go across the country and play on short rest. Seattle's stadium will be packed and the 12th man is nothing to dismiss ( just ask the Saints about it). It will be a prime time game and the Seahawks will come more prepared to play. The Hawks will run the ball and exploit more of the holes that the Pats made visible. This game will reflect the same kind of outcome as what happened last year when Webb and the Vikings came to town last season.

Prediction: Eagles 17, Seahawks 20

Week 14: Eagles @ Dolphins

Date: 12/11

Time: 1:00PM

Dolphins 2010 Stats: O Rank 21, D Rank 6

The Dolphins are one of the better losing record teams in the NFL , and Chad Henne is better than he has shown (at least good enough to not get booed at training camp by fans). They have a great defense, but their offense is still suspect. Coming off back to back losses, I see the Eagles rebounding in a tight, low-scoring affair.

Prediction: Eagles 14, Dolphins 10

Week 15: NY Jets @ Eagles

Date: 12/18

Time: 4:15PM

Jets 2010 Stats: O Rank 11, D Rank 3

Last year I saw a drop in the quality of play shown by the Eagles. They seemed slower and predictable, as defenses started to adapt to Vick's playing styles and tendencies. Now Jets' head coach Rex Ryan prides himself in having a phenomenal defense, and will devise specific schemes to disrupt Vick's rhythm. I see the Jets as being hungrier for a win, as they try to lock up a wildcard spot.

Prediction: Eagles 17, Jets 20

Week 16: Eagles @ Dallas

Date: 12/24

Time: 4:15

There won't be an early Christmas present for Philly fans this year. By this time in the season the Eagles will most likely be ahead of the Cowboys in the Standings and this game could very well decide if the Cowboys make the playoffs or not. I feel that the Cowboys and Eagles will split games this year.

Prediction: Eagles 31, Dallas 35

Week 17: Eagles @ Redskins

Date: 1/1

Time: 1:00PM

Bearing that the Eagles need to play their starters, I see them walking over a defeated Redskins team that may be led by a different coach by this time.

Predictions: Eagles 24, Redskins 10

Conclusion

The Eagles are an extremely talented and deep team that has the tools to win a Super Bowl. However, I don't see their road as easy as others see it. The Eagles will have to battle unforeseen obstacles that make up a typical NFL season. I don't think the Eagles are a 13 win team, but I do think they will win enough to retain the division championship and carry some momentum into the playoffs.

Prediction: 11-5