Rendell: Here's why the Eagles will finish 9-7

THEY SAY there's a sucker born every minute, and when it comes to football fans, especially Eagles fans, it couldn't be more true. A year ago at this time, Birds backers were reserving hotel rooms in Santa Clara, Calif., for the Super Bowl.

Our team had gone 4-0 in the preseason, quarterback Sam Bradford looked like a younger Tom Brady, and Sports Illustrated picked the Eagles to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

Well the Birds have done it again. They went undefeated in the preseason, Bradford played an almost flawless game against the Colts and Jim Schwartz's defense played as if it could be one of the best in the NFL. (Ironically, Schwartz was hired as head coach of the Detroit Lions after they followed a perfect 2008 preseason with an 0-16 record in the regular season.)

Before the preseason began, I was ready to predict a 6-10 or 7-9 record for the Birds, based on their talent level and a very tough schedule that had them playing seven games against teams that were in last season's playoffs.

But a few things happened to make me change my mind. First, it became clear that Schwartz is a really good defensive coach with a really good scheme. With only a few upgrades in talent, he has the defense playing like a playoff unit, and I am convinced that this isn't a preseason mirage, but the real thing.

Second, Bradford looks much more comfortable in this offense and looks like a playoff-caliber quarterback.

Third, the improved play of Kenjon Barner, Trey Burton, Nolan Carroll and Brandon Graham.

Fourth, the acquisitions of Dorial Green-Beckham and Stephen Tulloch, who both can become difference-makers on offense and defense, respectively.

And lastly, serious injuries to Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Cowboys' Tony Romo. We won't see Bridgewater in Week 7 or Romo in Week 8, making both those games more winnable.

So here goes. I have the Eagles going 9-7, which might be good enough to win the NFC East. Here's how I think it will unfold:

Week 1, Cleveland: Birds open strong, 27-14.

Week 2, at Chicago: Schwartz's "D" contains the Monsters of the Midway to win, 20-10.

Week 3, Pittsburgh: Big Ben Roethlisberger is too tough. Even without the suspended Le'Veon Bell on offense, the Steelers win a close one, 24-21.

Week 4, bye.

Week 5, at Detroit: Nice homecoming for Schwartz as the Eagles win, 23-13.

Week 6, at Washington: The Redskins win a thriller, 21-17.

Week 7, Minnesota: No Bridgewater, no offense for the Vikes. Birds bottle up Adrian Peterson and win, 16-14.

Week 8, at Dallas: The Romo-less Cowboys are no match for the Eagles. Birds win, 24-13.

Week 9, at New York Giants: The Birds intercept Eli Manning and win, 20-16.

Week 10, Atlanta: Penn Charter product Matt Ryan excels in his homecoming, dealing the Birds a 20-13 defeat.

Week 11, at Seattle: Almost nobody wins in Seattle. Eagles won't either, falling, 24-14.

Week 12, Green Bay: a Monday Night Football thriller. But QB Aaron Rodgers is too tough, and the Pack wins, 23-20.

Week 13, at Cincinnati: The Bengals extend Eagles' losing streak to four with a 20-16 win.

Week 14, Washington: The Birds stay alive in the playoff hunt, avenging last year's home loss by beating the 'Skins, 23-14.

Week 15, at Baltimore: Joe Flacco outduels Bradford, and the road to the playoffs begins to look harder for Eagles. Ravens, 21-13.

Week 16, New York Giants: Bradford rebounds, torches the Giants with three touchdowns to DGB in a 30-20 win.

Week 17, Dallas: Romo is back but the Eagles prevail in a must-win game, 20-14.

At 9-7 overall and 5-1 in the division, the Birds should make the playoffs, but they won't be good enough to go very far. Still, winning the division would be a great first season for coach Doug Pederson.

But before anybody reading this gets too enthusiastic, let me remind you that last year, I drank the Kool-Aid, too, and had us going 13-3!

@GovEdRendell