Football Friday: Predicting Eagles Season and Falcons Game

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This is the first of a weekly installment where our writers at Eagledelphia.com offer their predictions on the Philadelphia Eagles games. We will track their skill (or lack thereof) at picking the games on our Wall of Shame, which will be included at the bottom of every article.

Without further ado, here are the predictions for the upcoming season and the Eagles game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Brian Startare, on Twitter @BrianStartare

Season Prediction: 11-5

Everyone loves optimism. Well, mostly everyone. And there sure seems to be a lot of it swirling around when it comes to the Birds. Preseason was such a small glimpse, albeit a great one, of what this team could actually accomplish. However, I'm still not sold on the secondary and depth in certain areas. But this team is good enough to win 11 games. See you in January for the Chip Ship's maiden "victory" voyage in the post season. After that — who knows? But it sure promises to be a lot of fun.

Week 1: Eagles 38, Falcons 24

Who can't recall Chip's inaugural foray into the NFL? That incredible first half versus Washington on Monday Nigh Football just two seasons ago was something majestic. I think we're in store for more the same versus Atlanta. Eagles come out fast, come out swinging and tire out the Falcons by the third quarter. Bradford throws for 3 touchdowns and the Eagles' season will be off to a fantastic start.

Kevin Durso, on Twitter @Kevin_Durso

Season Prediction: 11-5

I think 10 wins feels like a minimum if all the team does is stay healthy. Add in performing up to nearly full potential, and the win total becomes higher. I’m sure that Bradford can't be nearly perfect as he was in Green Bay every week, and I still have some reservations on the defense. All things considered, I think 11 wins is both a reasonable expectation and enough to win the division, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this team won more.

Week 1: Eagles 31, Falcons 17

It was a win when the schedule was released and it’s still a win now. But at quick glance, that score makes it look like a comfortable win. I think the Falcons actually keep this one close for a half. Bradford, Murray and company ultimately pull away in the second half and win to start the season 1-0.

Patrick Causey, on Twitter @InsdeTheHuddle

Season Prediction: 10-6

Despite my article earlier this week, I am still approaching this season with cautious optimism. If everyone stays healthy and Bradford lives up to the hype, the Eagles could win 12-13 games. This is the most talented team Chip Kelly has had and the schedule looks favorable. But Chip Kelly has built this team on a house of cards, relying on oft-injured players like Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews, Kiko Alonso and Walter Thurmond. Add to it the lack of meaningful depth at key positions — safety, cornerback, offensive line, and outside linebacker — and I am just not ready to anoint this team Super Bowl contenders. Put it this way: Maybe Bradford can stay healthy and finally realize his potential. Maybe Alonso can play well despite his knee tendinitis. Maybe Murray can play all year despite his absurd usage rate last year. Maybe Thurmond finally plays a full 16 games after playing only 36 of his last 80. And maybe the lack of depth along the Eagles offensive line won't be tested. But that's a lot of maybes. Expecting some of these issues to break the Eagles way is entirely reasonable. But expecting all of them to go the Eagles way? I just can't go there. So despite my heart telling me 12 wins is possible, I am hedging my bets. There are just too many risks wrapped in wishful thinking for me to go any higher than 10-6. While I think the Eagles win their first playoff game under Kelly, I expect Eagles fans with Super Bowl aspirations to be disappointed. At least this year.

Week 1: Eagles 31, Falcons 24

The Falcons passing attack, with Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, is going to test the Eagles revamped secondary early and often. But there isn't much to like about Atlanta outside of that. The Falcons running game is led by rookie Telvan Coleman, who only got the job because the underwhelming Devonta Freeman has missed the entire preseason with a hamstring injury. And new Falcons head coach Dan Quinn will need time to rebuild this Falcons defense, which projects as one of the worst in the league. Expect the Eagles to lean on the run game early and let Sam Bradford go over the top once the Falcons sell out to stop the run. The Eagles win in a shoot out.

Michael Coggin, on Twitter @MQCoggin

Season Prediction: 13-3

The schedule just lays up great for the Eagles. In week 2, the Cowboys will be without Rolando McClain, Orlando Scandrick, and Greg Hardy. The Eagles also get Dallas coming off a bye, so they should be well-rested. The Eagles get the Saints, Cardinals, Dolphins, and Bills at home…thanks NFL schedulers. This is a huge advantage considering those are all playoff caliber teams. The Eagles go on the road for the Jets (without Geno Smith), Panthers (without Kelvin Benjamin), Lions and Patriots. When it comes down to it, the Eagles will likely lose 3 of these 4 games: Patriots, Lions, Cowboys (away), and Cardinals. I just don't see another loss on what is a very playable schedule.

Week 1: Eagles 33, Falcons 28

This is going to be a shoot out on an indoor track. Both defenses have questions in the secondary. The Eagles should have had experience against elite quarterback – wide receiver units this preseason but managed to miss TY Hilton, Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, and Randall Cobb (save for one play), among others. It is possible this game will bring our first real concern about Byron Maxwell, who played well this preseason but was often soft in coverage. Julio Jones will have a day, even if the Eagles can bottle up the rushing attack and secondary receivers.

Sam Bradford has been waiting for this moment for nearly two years and will be chomping at the bits. He is going to come out amped and on point. The boys up front will move the line of scrimmage but, believe it or not, DeMarco Murray will NOT lead Eagles running backs in yards-from-scrimmage. Sproles will have a big game catching the ball matched up against a weak Falcons linebacking corps. Nelson Agholor looks like a star at least once. Nelson Agholor looks like a rookie at least once. Ultimately, this offense is too much for the Falcons and the defense does just enough to win.

Ryan Gerstel, on Twitter @TheRyanGerstel

Season Prediction: 11-5

I'm buying into the hype. The YouTube videos and Super Bowl predictions have gotten to me. It helps that I believe Chip Kelly successfully manifested his vision of a Super Bowl-caliber team. On paper, the Eagles' roster is littered with depth and talent on both sides of the ball. If the offense operates like it did in Green Bay two weeks ago, then it'll be a long season for opposing defenses. There will ultimately be bumps in the road, however. Playing the Patriots, Lions, and Panthers on the road will be tough, and I doubt they sweep the Cowboys and even the Giants with their talented receivers. Furthermore, I see Sam Bradford taking some lumps and missing minimal time. Nonetheless, the Eagles are primed to do something special in 2015.

Week 1: Eagles: 34 Falcons: 17

I imagine this game playing out a lot like the Monday night opener against the Redskins back in 2013. Chip Kelly will look to put on a show worthy of prime time, and I expect the offense to carve up a suspect Falcons pass defense that ranked dead-last in the NFL in pass yardsper game last season. Matt Ryan and the Falcons' offense will be able to keep up with the Eagles' early on, but will ultimately lose steam in the second half.

Michael Malia, on Twitter @michael_malia

Season Prediction: 11-5

After all of the changes made this off-season by head coach/general manager Chip Kelly, the Philadelphia Eagles improve on their record from last year by one game, resulting in a 11-5 record. Offensively, quarterback Sam Bradford stays healthy for at least the majority of the season. Running back DeMarco Murray repeats as the NFL's leading rusher, making him the first to do so since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006-7. Defensively, the Eagles will be one of the best teams in the NFL in terms of stopping the run and sacking the quarterback. Also, they will FINALLY have a formidable secondary playing behind that elite front-seven. I expect them to get to the NFC championship game, which they will be playing in Seattle.

Week 1: Eagles 31, Falcons 28

It's going to come down to the final drive on Monday night. Both offenses will be clicking in this game. Sam Bradford connects with Darren Sproles on a crucial 4th down and goal to win the game in the Georgia Dome.

Pete Visalli, on Twitter @PHL24x7Pete

Season Prediction: 11-5

Do I agree with the Super Bowl predictions? No, but I do see good things on the horizon. While it is tough to make a completely accurate prediction in the preseason, I see the Eagles finishing at 11-5. The Eagles face a tough stretch after the bye week, with games on the road in Detroit and Foxboro. With that being said, I still foresee a first place finish in the division and possibly a playoff win. A Super Bowl is still slightly out of reach until the team works on depth, particularly at linebacker, offensive line and secondary. Until then, enjoy Birds fans! This is an exciting time to be heading down Pattison Avenue.

Eagles 42, Falcons 20

I don’t know about you, but I have bad memories of the Falcons and Eagles in 2006 when fights broke out and caused pregame ejections and Michael Vick ran all over a vulnerable Eagles defense. Fast forward to this week's match-up, and I’m slightly nervous because Matt Ryan can pick a defense apart effortlessly. However, I don’t think Atlanta's offense will do enough to outscore the high powered, fast paced Eagles offense led by Sam Bradford. I see a short passing and running assault to open up the deep ball for Nelson Agholor to knock Atlanta out of the box.

RECAP:

Brian Startare: Season: 11-5; Eagles 38, Falcons 24

Kevin Durso: Season: 11-5; Eagles 31, Falcons 17

Patrick Causey: Season: 10-6; Eagles 31, Falcons 24

Michael Coggin: Season: 13-3; Eagles 33, Falcons 28

Ryan Gerstel: Season: 11-5, Eagles 34, Falcons 17

Michael Malia: Season: 11-5, Eagles 31, Falcons 28

Pete Visalli: Season: 11-5, Eagles 42-20

Football Friday: Predicting Eagles Season and Falcons Game

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