By Tucker Bagley, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
With spring workouts all wrapped up, we've reached the point in the NFL schedule where exactly nothing happens. Barring unforeseen off-the-field issues or transactions, things will stay relatively quiet until training camp opens on July 24.
The so-called "dead period" is the worst part of the NFL calendar, but we'll try to pass the time by taking a look at each of the Eagles games in 2017 and prematurely decide how they will end up. Last week, we covered the first quarter of the Eagles schedule. Sitting at 2-2, the Birds enter a section of their schedule that could prove to be very favorable.
Week 5 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Until last year, the Cardinals were perennial contenders in the NFC, but Bruce Arians' squad stumbled to a 7-8-1 finish in 2016. Despite ranking as the league's ninth-best offense and second-best defense, the Cardinals found themselves on the wrong side of a lot of close games. Some of that can be attributed to bad luck, their expected win-loss record was close to 10-6, but other factors indicate that cracks are showing in the team's foundation.
Carson Palmer seemed to have a career renaissance when he joined Arians in the desert, but he struggled mightily in 2016 and it looks like his age may be catching up with him. At 37, Palmer looked shaky at times and averaged just 7.1 yards per attempt, his worst since his stint in Oakland. That's even worse when you consider he's playing in an offense that relies on big plays and the ball being pushed down the field.
Looking at this game, the Eagles defense will have a good chance to knock around the veteran quarterback and stifle the once high-powered offense. The big question: Can Carson Wentz and company score enough points to win? Yes, but it could be a very ugly game.
Result: Eagles win, 14-10
Record: 3-2
Week 6 at Carolina Panthers
Much like the Cardinals, the Panthers struggled one year after making the Super Bowl. Cam Newton looked like a shell of his old self and their feared defense finished the year ranked just 26th in yards allowed. Maybe adding Christian McCaffrey to their squad will help out the offense, but how many dump-offs and screens can Newton throw to raise his abysmal completion percentage into a neighborhood of respectability?
Even when the Birds beat up on the Panthers in 2014, they only managed 37 rushing yards, thanks to Luke Kuechly. With a running back group filled with question marks this season, it seems hard to believe the Birds will find much daylight against the best linebacker in football. Still, the Panthers secondary is weak and Alshon Jeffery could be in line for a monster game on Thursday Night Football.
Result: Eagles win, 34-24
Record: 4-2
Week 7 vs Washington Redskins
It's hard to predict division games. Teams often split their divisional schedule simply because it's very difficult to beat a quality NFL team twice in a single season.
With the Eagles beating the Redskins in Week 1, it's fair to assume Washington will adjust and be ready for anything the Eagles throw at them on this Monday Night showdown. Coming off a Thursday Night game, the Eagles have a bit of a mini-bye week here, but the Redskins will be prepared to shut up their division rivals on the road.
However, Kirk Cousins has always struggled beating quality teams and the Eagles appear primed to be one this season. The Eagles win one in a primetime thriller on a Caleb Sturgis field goal in the final seconds.
Result: Eagles win, 24-23
Record: 5-2
Week 8 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Sadly, there won't be any sort of Chip Kelly reunion, but I'm sure many of the fans are okay with that. The 49ers were a terrible football team a season ago and don't look to be much better in 2017. Their quarterback depth chart features the names Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley and C.J. Beathard, who the Niners traded up to draft this year. Seriously, when you're trying to talk yourself into Barkley being a legit quarterback, things have gone seriously awry.
This should be a laugher for the Eagles, plain and simple. Sure, new coach Kyle Shanahan is a smart guy and will help turn the tides in San Francisco, but not this quickly and not with these quarterbacks. Wentz will put up big numbers early and maybe Nick Foles will see some action in the fourth quarter.
Result: Eagles win, 45-17
Record: 6-2
