Bye Week Over, 12 Games Remain

The first quarter of the 2007 Philadelphia Eagles season is gone, and after a 1-3 start, the bye week could not have come sooner. Within the three losses the offense has averaged under 10 points per game. The lone sign of hope came from a 56-21 drubbing of the lowly Detroit Lions. It seems as if Coach Reid's vaunted West Coast Offense has migrated south. To put these numbers in perspective, the disaster that was the 2005 Eagles team averaged just under 18 points per game (over 15 games, taking away the 42-3 victory against the 49ers, who were even worse than the '07 Lions). The '05 Eagles averaged almost double the '07 version, so far, and these numbers include the 42-0 shutout the Eagles suffered to Seattle in 2005. So with an offense that seems to be all but inept, what can fans honestly expect from the Birds over the next 12 games. Let's take a look.
This Sunday the Eagles once again must trek up the turnpike, this time to face the the New York Jets. Despite the Jets' 1-4 record they are averaging 19.2 points per game and are looking to avenge the loss to their Meadowland-roommates, the "New York" Giants. But the Eagles need the win and have always been successful after the bye week. The Eagles should put up at least 21 points this week and the defense should be able to take the ball away from the accurate but weak-armed Chad Pennington. Prediction: Eagles 24, Jets 20. Eagles record: 2-3.
Sunday 10/21 the Bears come in to Philadelphia for a 4:15 meeting of 2006's NFC North and East champions. The Bears went to the Superbowl last season but have been nconsistent on offense, and are treading water at 2-3. But the Bears pulled off a 27-20 victory over the previously undefeated Green Bay Packers. If the defense gets in a groove, which it very well may, as Chicago plays rival Minnestoa before they come into the Linc. The Eagles have struggled against moderately proficient defenses this season, and will certainly struggle against Urlacher & Co. Even if the Eagles' D keeps the game close, Devin Hester will come up big late in the game and, hopefully, prove to Andy that special teams matter. Prediction: Eagles13, Bears 20. Eagles record: 2-4.
10/28 @ Minnesota. The Vikings are not very good but have a strong defense and running game, and will be coming off a loss to the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles will also be coming off a loss, and history shows the Eagles are going to want to come out firing. Big yards for McNabb in this game but the offense will sputter in the redzone, putting the game in David Akers hands, and with the game being played in-doors, the Eagles should be able to pull this game out. Prediction: Eagles 26, Vikings 17. Eagles record: 3-4.
11/4 vs. Dallas. This game will be Philadelphia's Super Bowl. No matter what these two teams' records show, this will be close and a lot of points will be scored. T.O. will be looking to score in Philly after a disappointing homecoming in 2006. McNabb will be looking to show up his nemesis, and the crowd will be fired up and will this team to win it late, as they did last season. Dallas' secondary is capable of the big play but won't be able to contain the speed of the Eagles receivers. Reggie Brown will actually play a role in this game and may even catch a deep touchdown. Prediction: Eagles 31, Cowboys 27. Eagles record: 4-4.
11/11 @ Washington. On an emotional let-down game for the Eagles, Washington will be comig off an AFC East road trip, after back-to-back games in New England and the Meadowlands. Looking to get back on track, Washington will keep the ball away from the suddenly hot Eagles offense by running, even if the ground game doesn't yield immediate big gains. The Eagles will continue to score points, but with fewer possessions it will be tough to keep the offense balanced, and Washington will prevail in what will be called a vintage NFC East battle. Prediction: Eagles 21, Redskins 27. Eagles record: 4-5.
11/18 vs. Miami. With no quarterback, Ronnie Brown will be asked to carry the Dolphins' offense and the Eagles D will not respect the passing game, and will stack the box, much like the '05 Birds played against San Diego. Brown will make big plays in a showdown of nop-notch running backs. Brian Westbrook will steal Ronnie's thunder and will dominate this afternoon contest, and Brian's performance may resemble his week three out-put in which he put up over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns. Eagles bounce back from a divisional loss to beat a down-and-out AFC team. Prediction: Eagles 28, Dolphins 24. Eagles record: 5-5.
11/25 @ New England. No chance. The Eagles will not be close at any point in this game. New England will be vying for a perfect season and cementing themselves as one of the great teams of all-time. The Eagles offense will struggle against the 3-4 and the defense will not be able to contain Brady, Moss, Stallworth or Watson. This game will be ugly and could be the death knell for an Eagles team that comes into New England with a .500 record. Prediction: Eagles 17, Patriots 48. Eagles record: 5-6.
12/2 vs. Seattle. Coming off a backbreaker in New Egland, Philadelphia will come still stinging from the beating in Foxborough. Seattle will come in to the Linc looking to break away from the still tight NFC West. The Eagles will launch the Seahawks into the playoffs and this loss may be McNabb's farewell, as this drowning team may may start to look towards the future by playing the team's first 2007 draft pick, Kevin Kolb. Prediction: Eagles 16, Seahawks 20. Eagles record: 5-7.
12/9 vs. NY Giants. Although the season may be dead, this team, possibly under the direction of Kevin Kold or AJ Feeley, will step up and prove the team as a whole is not a lost cause. Westbrook will continue his career-long trend of Giant-killing, and will see plenty of carries now that McNabb has either been benched or IRed. Eli Manning will turn the ball over early and often and set up his defense with a short field all day. Eagles win in a hard-hitting battle. Eagles 17, Giants 13. Eagles record: 6-7.
12/16 @ Dallas. Dallas will avenge their November loss in Philly by wrapping up NFC home-field advantage in this week 15 matchup. Romo won't be great, but the defense will be worn down enough at this point in the season to give up chunks of yards, especially on third downs. The Eagles offense will look promising with a rookie under center, but they will also make rookie mistakes while they continue to adjust to a still-new QB. Prediction: Eagles: 17, Cowboys 21. Eagles record: 6-8.
12/23 @ New Orleans. Despite a slow start, New Orleans will be able to hang around .500 for the season and the Super Dome will continue to be a House of Horrors for the Eagles. New Orleans' O will move the ball but won't score a whole lot but the Eagles will start slow and won't be able to bounce back (see the 2006 regular season matchup). Prediction: Eagles 20, Saints 23. Eagles record: 6-9.
12/30 vs. Buffalo. The season closer against another bad team, in a showdown of rookie QBs. Buffalo will be down-and-out as well but looking to prove the future is brighter. Kolb will be looking to prove he is Philadelphia's future, and will put up good numbers. The Eagles D will explode, lead by former Buffalo Bill Takeo Spikes, and win it for the Eagles in a game of "who cares?" Prediction: Eagles 27, Bills 12. Eagles record: 7-9.
These are my predictions for the Eagles, if they continue to play the way they have over the first quarter of the season. I am not guaranteeing any of this, as it is all simply speculation. I do not wish for this to be a throw-away season, nor do I wish to watch a farewell defeat or injury for Donovan McNabb. Hopefully the birds can turn it around, but this is how I see the remaining 12 games going down.