CHIRPING BIRDS- EAGLES PICK, NFL FORECAST

Finally football! Our Birds open at home this Sunday against an inferior Washington team. Yet anything can happen in an NFC East game.

The Eagles need to get off to a fast start, both in Sunday's game and for the season. The Redskin offense is weak at best, while the Eagles' offense is explosive, with tons of weapons. But, since hardly anyone played even a single snap during the pre-season, how will the starters react to live football? Will the Eagles come out flying and smother Washington, or will they stumble? As always, penalties and turnovers will be key.

The Washington defensive front line, especially Ryan Kerrigan, who always is a problem for the Birds, may cause havoc. Getting up on Washington is big. Feeding off the frenzied crowd will be important.  Special teams needs to come up huge on Sunday.

It's a division game so I think it will be closer than expected. The over/under is 46, with Philadelphia favored by 10 points.

I like the Eagles to win, 31-14. Take the Birds to cover the spread and barely the under.

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Here are my NFL predictions for 2019-2020.

NFC East

1. Eagles
2. Cowboys
3. Giants
4. Redskins

The Eagles are hands-down the most talented team in the East. Dallas has RB Elliot back and will pose a threat all season. The Giants have few weapons and a poor O-line, but I give Eli Manning the nod over Redskin QB Case Keenum. Washington will be lucky to win 3 games this year

NFC North

1. Vikings
2. Packers
3. Bears
4. Lions

Minnesota should hold off Chicago to win the North. The Bears will slide back a bit with a tougher schedule. Green Bay's season will solely depend on QB Aaron Rodgers and how well he comes back from injury. The Lions are still last in this tough division.

NFC South

1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Buccaneers

One last try for Drew Brees and New Orleans. Atlanta has the personnel but will they finally put it together, like 3 years ago> Carolina has an interesting squad and may surprise if QB Cam Newton plays well. Tampa Bay is still finding their way. Is Winston really the franchise quarterback?

NFC West

1. Rams
2. 49ers
3. Seahawks
4. Cardinals

Rams still have plenty of firepower to go back to Super Bowl. San Francisco is steady improving form woeful Chip Kelly days. Seahawks and QB Russell Wilson are always a threat. Arizona remains in flux with new coach and young quarterbacks.

Byes: Eagles, Rams
Wild Cards: Falcons, 49ers
NFC Championship Game: Rams at Eagles
NFC Champion: Eagles


AFC East

1. Patriots
2. Bills
3. Jets
4. Dolphins

One year there will be a new AFC East winner, but Pats continue streak. They need home field advantage to advance to Super Bowl. Bills are challengers but fall short again. Jets see light with young QB. Dolphins are tanking.

AFC North

1. Steelers
2. Browns
3. Ravens
4. Bengals

Don't count Pittsburgh out yet. Cleveland is improved but playoffs? Baltimore is up and down. Will new QB finally get them over the hump? Cincinnati in too deep in tough division.

AFC South

1. Titans
2. Jaguars
3. Colts
4. Texans

Tennessee gets the call in weak division. Will Nick Foles be the difference for Jags? Indy out of Luck. Houston has talent but will they finally get it together?

AFC West

1. Chiefs
2. Chargers
3. Broncos
4. Raiders

Chiefs are loaded but can they avoid another playoff crash? Time for LA Chargers to step up. Broncos still rebuilding. Raiders have a way to go.

Byes: Patriots, Chiefs
Wild Cards: Chargers, Bills
AFC Championship: Patriots at Chiefs
AFC Champion: Chiefs


Super Bowl 54: Eagles over Chiefs