A few days ago, Eagles tight end Zach Ertz proclaimed the goal of the team was to go 16-0 this season, to be successful in every game to the point of victory.
16-0 is obviously difficult and in most cases unrealistic. But after two 10-6 seasons under Chip Kelly – with one playoff appearance – can the Eagles do better than the 10-6 mark and return to the playoffs.
With that, here's a very early look at the game-by-game breakdown for the Eagles schedule.
Week 1 at Atlanta – The NFC South was the weakest division in football last season. It's a team that is trying to build back into a contender, but has a very long way to go. The Eagles should be able to take this one without a problem: Win.
Week 2 vs. Dallas – DeMarco Murray's first chance to face his former team comes in the Eagles home opener. The excitement behind the home debut is a very real factor and should favor the Eagles. It's still too soon to say who holds the edge in the Eagles-Cowboys matchups, especially while the teams are so close competitively, but the Eagles seem poised for a victory here: Win.
Week 3 at New York Jets – There are a lot of reasons I think the Eagles should win this one too, but it has all the makings of a trap game. In their history, the Eagles have never lost to the Jets in the regular season. Does that end here? There's a chance this game gets overlooked: Loss.
Week 4 at Washington – The Eagles can't be too happy with DeSean Jackson and Co. after having their playoff hopes dashed in a loss to Washington. The Redskins can put up a fight, but the Eagles are far and away still the better team: Win.
Week 5 vs. New Orleans – The Saints had their struggles a season ago and the x-factor favors the Eagles. It's a game away from the comforts of the Superdome for New Orleans. That can only help the Eagles. It's also the first meeting between the two teams since Chip Kelly's first playoff game. Pretty sure he remembers that one well: Win.
Week 6 vs. New York Giants – The Giants are still the Giants. It was the one team the Eagles defeated twice last season. At home, the Eagles unleashed dominance then. It wouldn't be a shock if they did the same here: Win.
Week 7 at Carolina – Another one of those games I have a bad feeling about. Sure, these two teams met last season and the Eagles cruised to a win. But perhaps this time, Cam Newton gets the last laugh. Just a hunch, but this is the South team that gets to the Eagles this year: Loss.
Week 9 at Dallas – The trip to Dallas usually has strong results, but this time, I think the Cowboys get on the right end of this one. There is no turnover, no game-changing moment like there has been in the past. The Cowboys run the Eagles the way they did in Week 15 last season: Loss.
Week 10 vs. Miami – If the Eagles get the benefit of playing two inferior teams in their own division and an inferior division in the NFC South, then having to play four games against the AFC East is the true challenge of the season. This is the second game on the schedule against that division and again, I think the Eagles should be able to win, but just can't avoid the mistake that swings the game the other way: Loss.
Week 11 vs. Tampa Bay – Three losses in a row, including two out of the bye week? The bleeding has to stop somewhere. It will with the Buccaneers coming to town. It's a team that now has a solid foundation, but like the Jaguars a season ago, the Eagles will ultimately be the more polished product: Win.
Week 12 at Detroit – Another Thanksgiving game for the Eagles, and this one should make Eagles fans just as thankful as the last. It's not going to be as easy as the game in Dallas was last season, but the Eagles should be able to hold their own in Detroit: Win.
Week 13 at New England – A trip to New England to face Tom Brady after Nov. 1 might as well be a death sentence. It would be a moral victory for the Eagles to just keep it competitive: Loss.
Week 14 vs. Buffalo – LeSean McCoy returns to his former home and the Eagles rebound strongly from a loss in New England with help from the rest of the running back regime: Win.
Week 15 vs. Arizona – It seems like these games are hit or miss. Location seems to have a lot to do with it too. A year ago, the Eagles were a yard short of a win in Arizona. They won't come up short at home: Win.
Week 16 vs. Washington – There will be no let-down against Washington this time. In position to claim the division, the Eagles take care of business in what they hope isn't their final home game of the season: Win.
Week 17 at New York Giants – A loss to Dallas earlier in the year won't hurt the Eagles as they do one better than Chip's previous two years. They grab a victory in the Meadowlands to claim the division title and an 11-5 record: Win.
So there you have it, the Eagles get an important extra victory and return to the playoffs. I really like the work Chip Kelly has done this offseason. The offense doesn't look like it's lost too much, even with the departures of McCoy and Jeremy Maclin, and the improved defense and solid rookie class should help keep some points off the board the other way.
The Eagles and Kelly have their work cut out for them during training camp and the preseason in preparation for this schedule. But on paper, they have many of the pieces in place.
Playing the game is the real animal. And that doesn't start for another two months.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
