Eagles rooting guide for Week 2 games

The second Sunday of the 2021 NFL regular season is HERE! That means it’s time to run through a Philadelphia Eagles-focused rooting guide for all of the Week 2 games. This exercise will be especially interesting this year since the Birds have more things to care about than usual due to owning picks from the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

EAGLES GAME

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Big opportunity for the Birds to start 2-0. Root for the Eagles, duh.

NFC EAST

DALLAS COWBOYS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: It’d really be something if the Eagles started 2-0 while the Cowboys started 0-2 heading into a Week 3 matchup between the two rivals. Such a scenario would give Philly a chance to put Dallas in a really bad spot. And it’s feasible with the Cowboys missing DeMarcus Lawrence, Michael Gallup, and La’el Collins. Go Bolts! Root for the Chargers.

DRAFT PICK WATCH

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS at NEW YORK JETS: The Pats have a better chance at winning the AFC East than the Jets. This matters because the Eagles should want the Dolphins to not win the division. Root for the Patriots.

DENVER BRONCOS at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: On one hand, the Jags being a threat to the AFC South would be good for the sake of preventing the Colts from winning the division. But, realistically, they stink and they’re going nowhere fast with Urban Meyer. Might as well root for the Broncos to win because they’re a more legit threat for an AFC wild card spot that the Colts could be vying for. Root for the Broncos.

BUFFALO BILLS at MIAMI DOLPHINS: Really crucial game for the Eagles’ rooting interest. It would be bad for Philly for Miami to start 2-0 with Buffalo dropping to 0-2. The Eagles need a Bills win to help make sure they’re in contention for the AFC East lead. Root for the Bills.

LOS ANGELES RAMS at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Root for Carson Wentz to play 100% of Indy’s snaps in a Colts loss. Root for the Rams.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS: One could argue the Steelers are the bigger threat for a wild card spot since they’re historically competitive under Mike Tomlin. If you disagree, feel free to root for Jon Gruden’s side. The goal is for one of these teams to make the playoffs and prevent the Colts and Dolphins from making it in. Root for the Steelers.

CINCINNATI BENGALS at CHICAGO BEARS: The Bengals might be able to push for a wild card spot? Maybe not. But let’s pretend they can. The consolation here is that a Bears win doesn’t help the Giants get a high 2022 first-round pick from Chicago. Root for the Bengals.

HOUSTON TEXANS at CLEVELAND BROWNS: It’d be nice if the Texans were a true threat to finish ahead of the Colts in the AFC South but that’s probably not the case. Better for the Browns to get a playoff spot to leave one less spot for Indy/Miami. Root for the Browns.

TENNESSEE TITANS at SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: The Titans really stunk in Week 1 but they might be the best threat to win the AFC South other than the Colts. Hopefully they can get back on track and knock an NFC team down a peg in the process. Root for the Titans.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at BALTIMORE RAVENS: We know the Chiefs will make the playoffs even if they lose this game. But things won’t be looking good for Baltimore if they drop to 0-2. Better for the Ravens to push a playoff spot that could keep Miami and/or Indy out of the mix. Root for the Ravens.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS at CAROLINA PANTHERS: The Saints are a bigger threat to the Eagles in the NFC than Sam Darnold’s Panthers are. Root for the Panthers.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS at ARIZONA CARDINALS: The Cardinals are a bigger threat to the Eagles in the NFC than Kirk Cousins’s Vikings are. Root for the Vikings.

ATLANTA FALCONS at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: The Bucs are a bigger threat to the Eagles in the NFC. Also, Philly’s Week 1 would look even better if Atlanta beats Tampa Bay. Root for the Falcons.

DETROIT LIONS at GREEN BAY PACKERS: Assuming the Packers get back on track, they’re the bigger threats to the Eagles. Might as well root for Aaron Rogers to drop to 0-2. Root for the Lions.