- The championship banner will fly over the Linc tonight, the night we have all been waiting for, one last celebration of the Birds' Super Bowl victory. Lincoln Financial Field will be emotional and rocking with joy. Then it's time to turn the page to this season at hand.
The Eagles face the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday Night Football. The Falcons have revenge on their minds after losing to the birds last year in the divisional playoffs. It was a close defensive game, and I expect the same tonight.
It will be good to see injured players like the explosive Darren Sproles return. I'm sure Coach Pederson has more tricks in his playbook the what he showed during the lackluster pre-season. Can a team magically flick on a switch and become good again> Remember the Falcons were 0-4 during this pre-season. It may take a while for both offenses to get into gear.
It will be a steamy, hot, muggy night, with thunderstorms predicted late. The fans will have all day to tailgate. Rowdy is a good word for tonight. Party. The fans deserve it. Will they boo this crop of Eagles if they fall behind or lose? It's only one game, granted to a rival NFC opponent. But even more tie-breaking, home-field advantage at the end of the year could hinge on tonight's game. Way too soon to tell.
Let's start with the defense. Even though Jerrigans is still out, Ndata and Bennett should fill in greatly. Good to have Hicks back at linebacker,. Hopefully he stays healthy this year. Tough to miss Bradham for tonight's key game. The second is solid with the additions of Maddox and Jones.
- On offense, the line will be viewed tonight with close scrutiny. If Vitai fails again for Peters, look out below! The two tight ends, Ertz and Goehard should be very effective. Jeffrey won't be back tonight but Aghalor should play. Jay Ajayi should return as the go-to running back.
- Kicker Jake Elliot needs to became more consistent in both his extra points and shorter field goals.
- Finally, the quarterback situation. Will we get the good Foles or bad Foles tonight? Looks like Carson Wentz won't play until week 3 at home vs Indianapolis. True, there is more tape out there on Nick Foles. I don't think Foles is fat and sassy after his book tour and many talk show appearances. He didn't have all his weapons in the pre-season, nor his full play-book. Foles will be fine until Wentz is ready to return.
I can't see the reigning world champs losing their first game of the season at home in front of a wild crowd on national TV. the line has gone from 4 1/2 to 1, the late money on the Falcons. But is it the smart money? I say Eagles 16 Falcons 10.
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My picks for the NFL season ahead..
NFC East
1. Eagles
2. Giants
3. Cowboys
4. Redskins
Notes- Eagles become the first team since the 2004 Eagles to repeat as NFC East champs, but they will lose 2 division games, both on the road, to New York and Dallas..They are better on paper than last year but need the same breaks to go their way again this season... The Giants should be improved with dangerous weapons but their offensive line is the key to their success and Eli Manning's health...Cowboys will lean heavily on RB Elliot and go 8-8 which will cost the head coach his job..Redskins are in flux again, thinking Alex Smith can do better than Kirk Cousins?
NFC North
1. Vikings
2. Packers
3. Lions
4. Bears
Notes- Vikes should be even better with Cousins at QB and solid defense, but how far will they go in playoffs?..Pack is back with Rodgers, but does he have the weapons and defense? Lions new head coach and Stafford at QB, Blount at RB. Could contend for wild card spot but won't win tough division..Bears may be improved as they slowly rebuild but even 8-8 would be progress.
NFC South
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Buccaneers
Notes- Saints were one fluky play away from NFC Championship Game last season. Brees has weapons and defense now..Falcons were so close tow inning world championship two years ago. Now they battle for their division. Panthers could be surprise team of year if Newton plays well. Bucs were trendy pick a year ago. Now, with Winston out, they will struggle in tough division.
NFC West
1. Rams
2. 49ers
3. Seahawks
4. Cardinals
Notes- Rams are great on paper and should breeze thru division, but will have bulls eye on their back and must overcome playoff jitters..Can Niners keep momentum of late last season? Seahawks on decline but with QB Wilson always dangerous.. Cards in flux with Bradford at QB. how long will that last?
AFC East
1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Dolphins
4. Jets
Notes-One of these years I would love to put someone other than New England atop the division. but i can't just yet. Maybe after Brady retires. For now they breeze thru division and seek yet another home field advantage in playoffs..Suddenly, are Bills rebuilding yet again? How soon until Allen is starting QB? Buffalo plays 5 of first 7 on road.. Even with Tannehill returning Miami is in rebuild mode..The Jets seem to have their future QB in Darnold. Growing pains this year but at least they have direction.
AFC North
1. Steelers
2. Ravens
3. Bengals
4, Browns
Notes- With the 3 B's- Ben, Brown and Bell, the Steelers should have no problems in the division. Can they beat the Patriots in the regular season and gain home field advantage in the playoffs?.. Flacco may have a rebound year, but what else makes you think Baltimore is the Ravens of old?..Many are picking Cincy over Baltimore but I don't like their coach. QB Dalton is OK but they choked like dogs when they had to win last season..Tempted to put Browns ahead of Bengals but they need to win a game to show me they have improved. Just one game.
AFC South
1. Jaguars
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Colts
Notes- Jags are good and nearly made it to the Super Bowl last year, despite having little support at home and playing a home game every season in London ( they face the eagles in England this October)..I think the Texans, if Watson comes back full-strength, finally break-thru and challenge for wild card spot..Titans are good team but Mariota must bounce back..Colts, even with luck, continue to rebuild and struggle.
AFC West
1. Chiefs
2. Chargers
3. Raiders
4. Broncos
Don't count out KC just yet. They need to get over their playoff curse. Will Mahomes be the answer at QB?..The Bolts are the trendy pick in the AFC and for good reason- they have stars. Can they finally put it all together? .Raiders took a step back in 2018, hence the hiring of Coach Gruden . Gonna take a while for Chuckie to rebuild his team..Broncos finally have a QB but is Keenum really the answer? He ain't no Elway.
NFC Wild Cards-Falcons and Panthers
AFC Wild Cards- Texans and Chargers
NFC Championship Game- Eagles over Rams
AFC Championship Game- Steelers over Patriots
Super Bowl- Eagles over Steelers
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Week 1 of Glen Macnow's Last Fan Standing football pool is underway. in case your'e not familiar you picka winner9 no point spread) every week of the NFL season. Can't pick the same team twice. Whomever survives to the end wins. Over 20,000 people competed last year. The farthest I've ever gotten was to Week 11.
Strong plays this week are the Packers, Lions and Saints. I'm taking Detroit for several reasons. They were only 4-4 at home last year, but they play the Jets and rookie QB Darnold. Lions' QB Strafford should have an advantage. The Lions need all the wins outside the tough NFC Northt hey can muster. getting the Lions out of the way and saving more powerful teams for down the road is also a good idea.They have a new coach and should get off to a fast start in fornt of their crowd.
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