It's almost here. The 2016 football season is just around the corner as the Eagles rookies and select veterans reported to the NovaCare Complex on Monday in order to prepare for their first NFL training camp conducted by Doug Pederson. The Eagles will have their first full practice on Thursday and the players' presence represent the beginning of real football.
This post will represent the final one in our series predicting the Eagles 2016 record. Through their first 12 games, the Eagles currently sit at 4-8 and Carson Wentz has replaced Sam Bradford as the team's starting quarterback after Bradford was unable to lead the team to a winning record through the first half of the season. However, with things looking bleak for the remainder of 2016, the rookie may be able to set up a bright future with a strong performance down the stretch.
Week 14 vs. Washington Redskins
Thanks to the Redskins quick-strike offense, the Eagles were unable to scratch out a victory in the teams' first meeting in Week 6. However, Jim Schwartz will learn from his previous mistakes and get pressure on Kirk Cousins. By pressing receivers at the line of scrimmage, Cousins will be forced to hold on to the ball and give pass rushers a chance to get after him.
Redskins cornerbacks will torment Wentz early and often, ending the game with a couple picks, but the rookie will persevere and find yards elsewhere on the field, putting the Eagles in a position to win the game on a last-second field goal. Caleb Sturgis' kick remains true and the Eagles split the season series with the 'Skins.
Result: Eagles win, 17-15.
Record: 5-8
Week 15 at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are an interesting enigma, especially thinking about them this late in the season. John Harbaugh's squad has developed into a perennial winner, but health concerns regarding Joe Flacco and limited offensive weapons will make it hard to consider the Ravens true contenders for 2016.
At the very least, the Ravens will be on the outskirts of the playoff picture, fighting for a shot at another Lombardi Trophy. That desperation, coupled with a healthy Flacco and a rabid fanbase supporting them, will outclass Doug Pederson's team and help out the Ravens playoff hopes.
Result: Ravens win, 27-20
Record: 5-9
Week 16 vs. New York Giants
One thing the Eagles have always done since the inception of the Andy Reid era is play well during big, primetime games. With the exception of the night Reggie White's number was retired, the Birds have a stellar record when playing under the lights.
And on this Thursday night in December, the Eagles will continue their dominance of the G-men. Wentz will put together his best performance to date against an overmatched defense and the Eagles will breeze to an easy victory in front of their fans, giving the Eagles faithful a look at what the future might hold for the North Dakota State product.
Result: Eagles win, 31-17
Record: 6-9
Week 17 vs. Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles and Cowboys have split their season series each of the last three years and 2016 should be no different. Either the Cowboys will have locked up a playoff spot behind a resurgent Tony Romo and Rookie of the Year Ezekiel Elliott, or they will have collapsed at the hands of their defense and Romo's injury concerns. Recent history dictates there isn't much mediocrity with this team. It's all or nothing.
A win over the Eagles top rival at home on New Year's Day would lead fans into the offseason with tantalizing dreams of Wentz leading them into the promised land. Heading into Pederson's first full offseason, the team looks to be headed on the right track.
Result: Eagles win, 24-20
Record: 7-9
In Conclusion
Outside of a Super Bowl, this is best case scenario for Pederson's first year. Wentz takes the reigns, the team starts to gel and, down the stretch, they win some tough games down the stretch and head into 2017 with the confidence that they are truly building something special around the quarterback of the future.
Tucker Bagley is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @tbagley515.
