Predictions for Rams game and Eagles season
JEFF MCLANE
Predictions for Rams game and Eagles season
Jeff McLane and Jonthan Tamari
JEFF MCLANE
Week 1:
We'll see Jim Johnson's blitzing, aggressive defense on Sunday but it won't be coming from Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo. Former Eagles assistant Steve Spagnuolo has brought Johnson's pressure defense to St. Louis and he has a number of pieces, like defensive end Chris Long and linebacker James Laurinaitis that fit into the scheme. But the Rams are old and average in the secondary and if the Eagles offensive line can hold up (OK, a big if), than Michael Vick should have open receivers to target. Eagles, 28-10.
What goes right: For at least one game, Castillo quells fears about his play-calling.
What goes wrong: Not much. Let's say kicker Alex Henery misses a relatively makeable field goal.
Season:
The schedule isn't brutal, but it's close. Two road games against an up-and-comer and a playoff-worthy team and then a home date against the N.Y. Giants confront the Eagles to start. The slate gets easier over the next three weeks with the 49ers visiting the Linc and the Eagles traveling to Buffalo and then Washington. If they can go 4-2 -- and it says here they do -- and avoid the Andy Reid slow start as all the new pieces fall into place, then the Eagles should be off and running. If they go 3-3 or 2-4, then making the playoffs will be a struggle. That being said, there's just too much talent on this team to not make the postseason. With Reid, that's never been the problem. It's when he gets there, and in the last two years it's been one and down. The forecast here is an 11-5 record, another NFC East crown and even a playoff victory or two. But the season ends with another NFC championship loss and Reid's future with the Eagles as murky as the Schuylkill River.
Super Bowl:
Packers > N.Y. Jets
JONATHAN TAMARI
Week 1:
I expect the Rams to get their hits on Vick, but not enough to shut down the Eagles offense, which will take off behind LeSean McCoy, even as the top wide receivers round back into form. The Eagles defense is still a work in progress, but the Rams don’t have the firepower to make them pay just yet. It’s probably a close game, with the Eagles pulling away late. Eagles, 27-17.
What goes right: Vick and DeSean Jackson get on track with a big strike despite not connecting much in the preseason.
What goes wrong: Steven Jackson exploits the aggressive defensive line for some big gains.
Season:
The Eagles went 10-6 last year and have much more talent this time around. Vick will probably come back to Earth a bit from his midseason form last year, but will still play at a high level most weeks and the defense will be better with all the new star power. The offensive line? It was a question last year, too, but the offense still scored plenty. The Eagles have enough firepower to win the division and should be able to win a playoff game. But I’ve got a feeling that as the competition level steps up, the “get a lead and rush the passer” philosophy runs into an opponent who keeps the game close, stops the quick strikes and hurts the Eagles with the run. Eagles go 11-5, win the NFC East and a Wild Card game, but go out in the divisional round.
Super Bowl:
Saints > Patriots
We'll have predictions for every game this season Friday mornings at Birds' Eye View. Feel free to give us your picks and check out Sunday's Inquirer and here at philly.com for complete advance coverage of the Eagles-Rams game.
Reid and Vick will beat the weak teams like the Rams....but will lose to a GOOD team in the playoffs....same failed formula as the past 13th seasons that Reid has been here.— frank105- As much as I hate to agree w/ frank105 (because he sometimes acts as a "hater") I see the Eagles going 11-5 (I mean, they have to be at least one game better than last year with all the new pieces, right?) and then getting bounced in the divisional game as well. I wish they could make the NFC Championship where I feel the further the Birds get into the playoffs, the better they will get BUT......Andy Bleed is going to flub his dub as per usual! Despite all of that, GO MIKE VICK GO!— Panthro2011
- Uh oh, I'm agreeing with McLane. Pack>Jets in February.
Those who think the Rams are weak could get a wakeup call on Sunday.— armchairGM - Green Bay Tight Ends looks great. The Saints Offensive Line looks as suspect as the Eagles line.... The Rams aren't built to contend with the top teams in the NFC East. The Eagles schedule is pretty weak, The Eagles should go 12-4 and make it to the Super Bowl against the Steelers. All Pennsylvania Super Bowl— Dexter
- Let's go Rams!— taxmanndumbeth
- i like the prediction for sunday 28-10. vick,mccoy,and desean are going to be a little faster on turf.
Eagles get home field advantage throughout the playoffs and take a trip to Indy. Watch it from home haters.— sec719 
Comment removed.- lonebone FrankieGarner is right...AR and Castillo know that you can't tackle while holding a mirror in your hand. Why can't they get this through to Fabio? Poor coaching...period.— Astro Jones
- Times yours...— wearepsu00
What's with all the doom and gloom outlook all the sudden? A little less than a month ago everyone was onboard and now everyone's in "abandon ship" mode... We'll be fine. 7 will lead us.- No doom and gloom. An exciting team. But Brady or Rodgers could not win the Super Bowl with the Eagles this year, so the more inconsistent 7's chances are even smaller.— armchairGM
- @Imbrianfellows...you just happen to be reading the troll's posts. Generally the positive people will stay away from this ridiculous blog.— cous76
- We lost the Super Bowl Champs. The we upgraded the entire team and coaching staff. I think we'll be fine. Green O-line and LB corps. We can work around that.— T
- actually if you gave Mike McCarthy or Sean Payton this eagles team, they might win a SB. of they would have a chance, and if you put Andy in charge of the saints or packers roster he WOULD DO THE SAME ALL PASS GARBAGE, IGNORE THE RUN GAME, and get brees or rogers seriously hurt and RUIN HIS TEAMS CHANCES IN THE POSTSEASON LIKE HE DOES EVERY YEAR. you have ronnie brown a fantastic running back and lesean mcmoy a relaly good fast back, you hand off to them alot, and you can win some games mixing in those deep passes. when you THROW OVER AND OVER it DOES NOT WIN. a different coach would use what he has PROPERLY and run the ball as payton uses a 3 headed attack in NO and the packers use whoever is healthy and pound them when needed. Reid DOES NOT. also Reid picks all the players here so if the roster is weaker that is ALSO HIS FAULT. point is, if the roster is bad and they dont win because of it, thats on Andy. and even if the roster WERE good enough his playcalling and game philosophy WOULD RUIN ANY TEAMS CHANCE anyway. the guy will NEVER win a SB. NEVER NEVER NEVER— CharlieGarner25
- @lmbrianfellows....what's with the doom and gloom since a month ago you ask? the preseason happened !! 1. o-line looks like a mess 2. linebackers look terrible and unable to stop the run 3. two rookie kickers that look very shakey 4. a rookie d-coordinater that has only coached o-line 5. d-jax's bad attitude 6. VY opening his mouth about the 'dream team'— psualum
