Week 1 for the Philadelphia Eagles starts on Sunday as they face the Washington Redskins. Before the season kicks off, our writers try to predict just how good (or bad) the 2019 season will go for the Birds. Here's what we had to say:
Aaron: 11-5, 1st in NFC East
The Eagles are considered to be one of the Super Bowl favorites coming into the season. I believe the Eagles are definitely capable of that, but it will be challenging because i do not think we will get a first round bye. I believe the Eagles go 11-5 with a 4-2 division record, and they will have the 4th seed in the playoffs (assuming Wentz stays healthy the whole season).
Tyler: 13-3, 1st in NFC East
They’ll advance throughout the playoffs by finally beating Drew Brees & the New Orleans Saints in the divisional round of playoffs. The Eagles will face off in the NFC Championship game with the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink field where they narrowly escape with the win 29-27. In the Super Bowl, they’ll face the LA Chargers and deny Philip Rivers of his first Super Bowl win by a score of 37-13. Wentz has a great game, but DeSean Jackson takes home the MVP for returning a late first half punt return for a TD & a 65 yard TD reception to put the game away early in the third quarter.
Michael V.: 11-5, 1st in NFC East
While there wasn't anything inspiring about the Bears Packers game on Thurday night, you have to believe those two teams are going to improve as the season goes on. The Eagles play them both along with the Falcons, Patriots, Vikings, and Seahawks. Tough schedule no matter how you look at it. I'm a very "prepare for the worst, hope for the best" type of person. If the wheels completely fell off, the talent on this team should still be able to get them to a minimum of 10-6. I'm going to be a little more generous and go with 11-5. That should be enough to win the division and hopefully get a 1st round bye in the process.
Andrew: 12-4, 1st in NFC East
The Eagles can, and will, live up to the hype they have received all offseason. They are poised to not only be a contender in the NFC, but also a legitimate candidate for winning Super Bowl LIV. I think the Eagles can secure a first-round bye in the playoffs, but their health will be a big factor into how far they can go.
They made depth upgrades at virtually every position, but there are still some concerns that could impact their potential playoff run. The most questionable depth will be the quarterback, linebacker and cornerback positions. This won't be like 2017 where if Carson Wentz gets hurt the team will win no problem with a backup quarterback. This team will go as far as Wentz can take them. Even with better depth on offense than the 2017 team, Josh McCown and Nate Sudfeld aren't going to be able to win in Super Bowl LIV, but I could see them potentially being like Jeff Garcia or AJ Feeley and winning some December of early January games.
I think Eagles fans will be safe to buy tickets for the big game in Miami this February. If they match up against the Kansas City Chiefs I don't know if they could win an offensive game back-and-forth for the second straight time in the Super Bowl. If it's the New England Patriots or another AFC representative I like their chances at getting their second Lombardi Trophy in three years.
Josh: 11-5, 1st in NFC East
There's a lot to like about the Eagles heading into the season. By all accounts Carson Wentz is healthy and primed to return to his MVP form from 2017. He's surrounded by a plethora of weapons, including new deep threat DeSean Jackson. Zach Ertz is one of the best receiving tight ends in the NFL, and the Birds sport a deep stable of running backs. Having one of the best offensive lines in the league doesn't hurt either.
On paper, everything is there for the Eagles to have a special season. If Wentz stays healthy, the sky is the limit. After a bumpy ride in 2018, I see a focused and hungry Eagles team hitting the field in 2019, with a division title and deep playoff run being the result.
Mike W.: 12-4, 1st in NFC East
The Eagles do enough on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball to win the NFC East and earn a first round bye in the playoffs. The Eagles are gonna be hard to stop if they get home-field advantage in the playoffs.
