The Philadelphia Eagles 2018 schedule is officially HERE, so you know what that means! Yep, it’s useless record prediction time.

To give you an idea of just how useless these predictions are (and how useless I am), I had the Eagles going “9-7 with a ceiling of 10-6” at this time last year. Then the Eagles went 13-3 and won the Super Bowl. Being wrong never felt so right.

Now that I’ve convinced you to not read my predictions, let’s take a look at my predictions!

Eagles 2018 Schedule

Week 1 - vs. Atlanta Falcons (Sept. 6, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) NFL Kickoff Game

The Eagles open the 2018 season at home with a rematch of the NFC divisional round playoff game from earlier this year. The Falcons took a step back in 2017 after getting to the Super Bowl (and blowing a 28-3 lead) in 2016, but they still have a good amount of talent on the roster. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Devonta Freeman are one of the better QB-WR-RB pairings in the league. Thankfully for the Eagles, Atlanta didn’t fire Steve Sarkisian, so he’ll probably find a way to screw it up for the Falcons. Anyone who picks against Philadelphia here should probably be arrested because there’s no way the Eagles are losing at home on the night where they raise the Super Bowl LII banner. Whether that’s with Carson Wentz (who I’m counting on) or Nick Foles starting.

1-0

Week 2 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sept. 16, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

Man, this is probably going to be a hot one. I bring up the weather because it’s one of the most interesting things I can say about this game. It feels like people have predicted the Bucs to have a breakout year for quite a few seasons now but it’s never happened to this point. Jameis Winston shredded the Eagles, his favorite team, the last two times these teams met. Mike Evans and former Eagles speedster DeSean Jackson are going to be tough covers for Philly’s corners. But eh, I’m just not really scared by what Winston and Dirk Koetter bring to the table. Eagles start the season with two straight wins.

2-0

Week 3 - vs. Indianapolis Colts (Sept. 23, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

The Eagles return home to play against former offensive coordinator Frank Reich’s new team. I like that Reich went to the AFC because I can be happier for him if he succeeds there. Things are going to be tough for him depending what the quarterback situation looks like. I kind of won’t believe Andrew Luck will be back on the field until I see it first. That situation has been very bizarre. Even if Luck is back, Indy’s roster just isn’t good. They’re going to need time to restock talent. Eagles win this one.

3-0

Week 4 - at Tennessee Titans (Sept. 30, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

This is the first tilt on the schedule I’m not feeling as a sure win. Maybe there’s a trap game element with the Eagles looking ahead to next week’s big NFC matchup. Plus the juice factor could be lacking with the Birds being on the road against an AFC team. I don’t think the Titans are especially great but it will be interesting to see if former Eagles quarterback Marcus Mariota can flourish now that Mike Mularkey is gone. To the surprise of no one who read BGN in 2015, I think Mariota has a great game.

3-1

Week 5 - vs. Minnesota Vikings (Oct. 7, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)

I’m not joking when I say that the Eagles should take down their Super Bowl banner right before the Vikings game just so they can raise it again in front of Minnesota. Those fans do like to whine, after all, and this would give them some new material. But enough about the NFC Championship Game, which the Vikings lost by a score of 38-7. And enough about how the Eagles won the Super Bowl in Minnesota’s home stadium. This rematch will likely be a lot closer this time. Former Eagles quarterback coach John DeFilippo could turn out to be a very good offensive coordinator for Minnesota despite the fact he has Kirk Cousins starting under center. I’m still taking the Eagles to win because Cousins typically doesn’t win big games. Might sound cliche, but he’s 4-19 all-time against teams with winning records. Cousins chokes this game away after throwing a pick-six to Ronald Darby. Shades of Case Keenum to Patrick Robinson.

4-1

Week 6 - at New York Giants (Oct. 11, 8:20 PM ET, FOX) Thursday Night Football

I’d like to say that I’m not really intimidated by the trio of Odell Beckham Jr., Evan Engram, and potentially Saquon Barkley since Eli Manning is washed. The problem with that is ... Manning has success against Jim Schwartz’s defense. Two of his best games from a forgettable 2017 season came against the Eagles. And one of those games was late in the season when the Giants were super banged up and didn’t even have their best players playing for them. The Eagles own the Giants (16-4 in their last 20 games) and Pat Shurmur is literally one of the most uninspiring people I’ve ever been around, so I’m still taking the Birds to win. But this win will be too close for comfort, not unlike last year’s game against Big Blue in Philly.

5-1

Week 7 - vs. Carolina Panthers (Oct 21, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

The score of last year’s Eagles-Panthers game (28-23) was so much closer than it should have been. The Eagles would have beaten that team comfortably if it weren’t for horrible officiating. I’d like to think Pete Morelli and his crew won’t be around to almost save Carolina this time. Philadelphia’s defensive line will find a way to rattle Cam Newton just like they did last year. Old friend Torrey Smith will be kept contained.

6-1

Week 8 - at Jacksonville Jaguars (Oct. 28, 9:30 AM ET, NFLN) London Game

For the first time in regular season history, the Eagles are going to cross the pond to play in London. Thankfully they’re doing it without losing a home game. I’m really interested to see the atmosphere at this game. The Jags figure to have some kind of home field advantage since they play in London all the time. But Eagles fans travel well, as we know, and I think there will be a strong presence of midnight green at Wembley. Unfortunately, I could see this being a frustrating game for the Eagles. Jacksonville’s defense will cause some issues for the Eagles’ offense. Blake Bortles won’t even play that well as a passer (because he’s Blake Bortles) but he’ll do just enough as a runner to help the Jags win. We’ll find ourselves saying that we never want to see the Eagles play in London again.

6-2

Week 9 - BYE (Nov. 4)

Nice to have a bye week directly in the middle of the season. It’ll be important for the Birds to rest up and get ready for a tough second half.

Week 10 - vs. Dallas Cowboys (Nov. 11, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Sunday Night Football

Here’s the thing about the Cowboys: Dak Prescott isn’t that good. I said as much prior to the 2017 season and he went out and proved me right. He played like a quarterback who was drafted in the fourth round, which he was. Prescott doesn’t do much to scare me as a passer. His mobility can be annoying, though, especially in the red zone. I don’t think he does enough to beat the Eagles at the Linc. He’s never had to face a true Philly crowd since he barely played in Week 17 in 2016 and last year’s finale was meaningless for the Eagles. Wentz is going to outshine Prescott yet again.

7-2

Week 11 - at New Orleans Saints (Nov. 18, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

This is arguably the toughest matchup on the Eagles’ schedule. I look at this game like I looked at the Seahawks game last year. The Super Dome is just a tough place to play. Drew Brees is going to be able to get the ball out quick to stifle Schwartz’s pass rush. Hopefully Howie Roseman can steal Alvin Kamara later in his career like Roseman previously stole Darren Sproles for a mere fifth-round pick. Until then, the Eagles will have to deal with him, and that could be tough.

7-3

Week 12 - vs. New York Giants (Nov. 25, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

It could be another close game due to Manning always playing well against Schwartz. The Eagles get it done once again, however, and sweep the G-Men yet again.

8-3

Week 13 - vs. Washington Redskins (Dec. 3, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN) Monday Night Football

Last season’s MNF game against Washington was just breath-taking. Wentz was incredible. I say he puts on a repeat performance against them. Alex Smith isn’t going to be able to answer that, though I don’t think he’s a total slouch. Washington isn’t going to be a flat out bad team this year. They’re just going to be very mediocre. They’re probably looking at 7-9 with a ceiling of 9-7. At least one of their losses is coming against the Eagles.

9-3

Week 14 - at Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 9, 4:25 PM ET, FOX)

If the Eagles lose to Dallas this season, this is going to be the game. Jerry Jones is going to find a way to get Pete Morelli to work this one. But the Eagles have already proven they can beat Pete once before. They’ll do it again here. Get the brooms out because the Birds just swept Dallas.

10-3

Week 15 - at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 16, 8:20 PM ET, NBC) Sunday Night Football

On paper, this looks like the matchup of the year. A potential NFC Championship Game preview, even. The Rams will certainly be looking to avenge last year’s loss. They could be much tougher to face this time around given all their offseason additions. But the Eagles have Mo on their side. Motivation, that is. You’re mistaken if you think Wentz isn’t going to go off in the stadium where his season ended. Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson is going to show up Coach of the First Round Playoff Exit Sean McVay. Eagles win thanks to help from another invasion of Philly fans in the crowd.

11-3

Week 16 - vs. Houston Texans (Dec. 23, 1:00 PM ET, CBS)

Another trap game! The Eagles, riding a hot steak, return home after a big, emotional win. It’s at the point in the season where the Texans really need this game more than the Birds do. Deshaun Watson comes to town and battles Wentz in a shootout. The Eagles ultimately lose, however. Quite fitting for a game held on Festivus.

11-4

Week 17 - at Washington Redskins (Dec. 30, 1:00 PM ET, FOX)

The Eagles will need this game to lock something up. Whether that’s the No. 1 seed again, or the division, or something. They’re not going to blow it against Washington. So this means I have the Eagles sweeping the NFC East this year. What could go wrong with that prediction?

12-4

...

Final record: 12-4

I think the Eagles are realistically looking at a floor of 10-6 this year with a ceiling of 12-4. Somehow I reached 12-4 with them losing only one NFC game, which would be very impressive.

It’s quite possible I’m not accounting for regression when it comes to the Eagles losing coaches (Flip and Reich) and Wentz coming off injury. But I legitimately believe Wentz is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL and Pederson is one of the best head coaches. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that Philadelphia has one of the best pass rush units in the league as well.

With that in mind, I feel pretty confident projecting the Eagles to at least make the playoffs. And I think they even become the first team to repeat as NFC East champs since the early 2000’s.

Here’s to a Super Bowl repeat.