Breaking down the second quarter of the Eagles’ 2017 schedule

With Eagles training camp set to begin in less than two weeks, now’s a good time to look ahead to the upcoming season. I'm going to spend the next couple of days breaking down Philadelphia's 2017 schedule into four quarters. As a reminder, click here for the entire 2017 Eagles schedule. Today we'll focus on the second quarter. Check out our [analysis of the first four games here].

5) Arizona Cardinals (Oct. 8, 1:00 PM)

After opening the season with three out of four games on the road, the Eagles will return to Philly to play three out of four at the Linc.

The Cardinals mark the Eagles’ second home game of the 2017 season. Arizona is coming off a weird 2016 campaign. Bruce Arians’ squad finished at 7-8-1 just one year after going to the NFC Championship Game.

Carson Palmer’s decline highlighted the Cardinals’ regression last season. After being a legitimate MVP candidate in 2015, Palmer’s passer rating dropped to 87.2 in 2016. There was talk Palmer might retire this offseason but the veteran is coming back for at least one more run. Note that Palmer turns 38 in December.

The Cardinals shouldn’t be an easy matchup for the Eagles. They should be more beatable than the Cardinals team that blew out the Eagles in 2015, however.

6) at Carolina Panthers (Oct. 12, 8:25 PM)

Carolina is one of the toughest opponents on the Eagles’ schedule to figure out. Two years ago they went to the Super Bowl and Cam Newton was the MVP. Then last year happened. The Panthers finished the season at 6-10. Newton ranked 28th out of 30 quarterbacks in passer rating.

Which Panthers team will show up in 2017? I tend to think Carolina will bounce back to some extent, but I’m hesitant to say they’ll suddenly be among the NFC’s elite again.

The additions of Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel give Newton some more weapons to work with. The Eagles showed interest in both of those players leading up to the 2017 NFL Draft. Philly was especially rumored to be hot after McCaffrey.

Now the Eagles will get a close-up look at the player they supposedly coveted. He could end up being a difference maker in a game that could be tough for the Birds on the road.

7) Washington Redskins (Oct. 23, 8:30 PM)

Yesterday I shared my thoughts about how I feel confident about the Eagles beating Washington in Week 1. I don’t feel as confident projecting Philadelphia to sweep Washington in the season series. They’ve had the Eagles’ number too many times in recent history. Kirk Cousins especially plays well against the Eagles’ defense.

Maybe I’ve got these games backwards and the Eagles will win at home, but I think a 1-1 split is likely either way.

8) San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 29, 1:00 PM)

The 49ers are arguably the least intimidating opponent on Philadelphia’s schedule this year. San Francisco went 2-14 in a season where Chip Kelly got fired and ultimately replaced by Kyle Shanahan. Shanny was an exciting coaching candidate given his recent work with the Falcons, but he doesn’t have the personnel he needs quite yet. Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley are in the running for the 49ers’ starting quarterback job. That’s just not very inspiring. Maybe this is a trap scenario for the Eagles coming off a division game in Week 7, but I think the 49ers are just going to be bad again. Eagles win this one.

Is 3-1 possible?

I see the Eagles going at least 2-2 in this stretch. 3-1 won’t be easy but it’s within reach. After picking the Eagles to go 2-2 in the first quarter, I currently have them around 5-3 or 4-4.

Tomorrow I'll preview the third quarter of the Eagles' schedule. For now, what say you about these four games? Where will the Eagles stand after the second quarter?