Columnist dissects Eagles' schedule

By Mike McDonald
Collegian Editor
April 18, 2007

Last year at this time, the Eagles’ schedule appeared to have two very distinct parts: an easy start and a difficult finish.

The 2007 Eagles schedule was released last week, and it seems to have two very distinct parts: an easy start and a difficult finish. Yes, there is a stunning similarity between the 2006 schedule and the 2007 schedule. However, the way the 2006 schedule looked at the beginning of the year and the way it looked at the end of the year could not have been much more different.

Whether or not that will be the case this year is yet to be seen, and there is no way to estimate what changes can take place in the league. But from the looks of it right now, the Birds are going to need to stockpile wins early on.

At the Week Five bye, there is no excuse for the Eagles to not be at least 3-1. They start off at Lambeau Field before returning home to play Washington and Detroit. There probably isn’t an easier first three games on any NFL team’s schedule. Book it: they will start off 3-0.

The Eagles’ first test will come in Week Four at the Giants on Sunday Night Football. This would be a great character win for the Birds, and it is a great chance for Donovan McNabb to prove to the nation that he is officially back (if, in fact, he is). The Eagles will show America that they are ready to ascend to the top of a weak NFC once again. The Eagles will be 4-0 and in the NFC driver’s seat going into the bye.

Andy Reid has not lost coming out of the bye, and he won’t do it this year. The Birds go back to the Meadowlands and beat the Jets. Count ‘em: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5-0.

In Week Seven, the Eagles return home to face the Chicago Bears. The Bears’ defense is obviously excellent, but who knows where this team will be? Chicago’s lack of offensive weapons and leadership will continue to haunt them, but they will still be able to win games. If the Eagles come into this game 5-0, this could very well be the point where they trip up. Mark them down for a loss here.

The Eagles are just a better team than Minnesota, and they won’t have any trouble beating them, even if it is on the road. This will put the Eagles at 6-1.

Could the Eagles possibly lose to the Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday Night Football Nov. 4? Most things are possible, but this isn’t. The Birds rout Dallas in a statement game to improve to 7-1.

Week 10 is a rematch with the Redskins, who are going to be bad once again. Chalk another one up for the Eagles, and put them at 8-1 on the year.

The Nov. 18 matchup at the Linc against Miami is clearly the biggest trap game on the schedule. With a treacherous stretch up ahead and a lot of wins already in the bank, the Eagles have to face an AFC opponent that they don’t see often. These types of games have not been good ones for the Eagles in recent years. Since 2002, the Eagles are 53-27 overall, but only 10-10 in games against AFC opponents. Look for the Eagles to fall right into the trap and drop this game.

The Week 12 matchup at New England is without a doubt the hardest game on the schedule. Whether they come into this one hot or cold, they will not win, provided that Tom Brady is healthy. This game will be a big, fat “L.” This puts the Eagles at 8-3.

Things will get worse before they get better. The Seattle Seahawks come to town on Dec. 2, and they will show the Eagles that they actually have some competition in the NFC. Seattle will take this one, but the Eagles will get their revenge on the Seahawks sometime in January. The Birds drop to 8-4 on the year.

Dec. 9 is make-or-break time for the Philadelphia Eagles. The New York Giants come to town in an absolute must-win. A win here could give the Eagles a big enough boost to carry them all the way to the Super Bowl. But if they lose this game, they could find themselves quickly falling out of the playoffs. Donovan McNabb will lead his team to glory on a cold December Sunday, and a late-game touchdown reception by Brian Westbrook will lift the Eagles to victory. Eli Manning goes home crying, and Jeremy Shockey wishes he really could play in Philadelphia.

The 9-4 Eagles will go flying into Texas Stadium and dominate a frustrated Dallas team. Wade Phillips will already be on the hot seat, and Tony Romo will have proven that he is not the long-term answer the Cowboys are looking for. After picking up an easy win, the Eagles will stand atop the division at 10-4.

After losing in the Superdome twice last year (including a season-ender in the playoffs), the Eagles will go into New Orleans with something to prove. Consider that mission accomplished. McNabb will get the job done and beat the Saints, who will not repeat the success they experienced last year. The Eagles keep it rolling and move to 11-4.

Remember the days when the NFC Championship Game was played in Philadelphia? After two tumultuous seasons away from the Delaware Valley, the game will return to its rightful location, as the Eagles will lock up home field advantage througout the playoffs by beating the lowly Bills in Week 17. At 12-4, they will have that top seed going into the playoffs, and they will go into the postseason hot, having won their last four games.

Obviously, 12-4 cannot exactly be considered “picking conservatively,” but with the way the NFC is going to be, it really is a possibility. If they can avoid serious injury problems, the Eagles can be the best team in the conference.

Right now, Sportsbook.com has the Eagles at 6-1 to win the NFC. Four other teams have shorter odds than this. The Eagles are at 15-1 to win the Super Bowl, with five teams having shorter odds. So maybe Vegas doesn’t think the Eagles are the team to beat right now, but after all, it’s only April.

mcdonaldm2@lasalle.edu