Associated Press
The Saints' Drew Brees will give the Eagles' pass defense a test in Week 2.
- Paul Domowitch: A new look for Eagles, but not rebuilding
- Rich Hofmann: For Eagles, biggest change is an assertive McNabb
- John Smallwood: How Eagles will become Super Bowl team
- Look ahead at the NFL season
- Revamped Birds: Next step . . . or out of step?
- TV Games to Circle
- AFC Story Lines
- NFC Story Lines
- How the fans see the season
- Fans’ guide to the Eagles
- Step by step, for better or worse
- Eagles Preview
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John Smallwood: How Eagles will become Super Bowl team
THERE HAVE BEEN years in the past when I've picked the Eagles to go to the Super Bowl based on logical deduction. I can't do that with this team.
Considering the havoc injuries have wreaked, I'm not sure why I believe this is a year the Birds will get back to the Bowl.
I'm not sure whether having no faith in anybody else in the NFC is a good enough reason to pick the Eagles, but for now, I'll roll with it.
Once again, the schedule will play a large part in how the Eagles position themselves. This one is manageable, with a few spots for the Eagles to string together some wins.
Early games with Kansas City and Oakland plus late games with San Francisco and Denver make for a quick start and strong finish.
Even three straight NFC East games break down well for the Eagles, with the Giants and Cowboys visiting Lincoln Financial Field the first 2 weeks of November.
My normal warning about not betting any important money on these picks applies, but I see 11-5 and an NFC East crown for the Eagles.
Game 1: Eagles at Carolina, 1 p.m., Fox
Our take: The Eagles have been notoriously slow starters under Andy Reid, and the rash of preseason injuries, particularly on the offensive line, has hampered continuity. A road opener against a good team does not bode well. The Birds will do better in the playoff rematch.
Prediction: Panthers 27, Eagles 23.
Game 2: New Orleans at Eagles,
1 p.m., Fox
Our take: Not an easy home opener. The Saints are one of those teams that could be all over the place. The four-game suspensions of ends Will Smith and Charles Grant should slow an improved defense. Quarterback Drew Brees can put up numbers.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Saints 21.
Game 3: Kansas City at Eagles, 1 p.m., CBS
Our take: This is a bad team, even with the addition of high-priced quarterback Matt Cassel. A knee injury might keep him out of early games. Rookie coach Todd Haley already has fired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Chiefs 10.
