The Wide World of Dirt

Well well well.

That’s right; it’s me again. It’s been a while. I am very sure you all missed me, Sean Tanski as your resident Philly sports enjoyer (or sufferer depending on the day).

I am back giving you everything Philly sports, so let’s dive in with my first piece, diving into my season prediction of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Eagles have completely turned their franchise around after a disastrous 2020 season. That team was led by a completely incompetent coaching staff and featured many older players with very little young talent.

I will admit, I thought the firing of Super Bowl winning head coach Doug Pederson and jettisoning former franchise QB Carson Wentz would have meant nothing if GM Howie Roseman would still be running the show.

This of course was because Roseman was largely at fault for the state of the roster. The whiffs on draft picks, bad extensions, etc. lead this team to their 4-11-1 record.

This was further emphasized when Nick Sirianni, a relatively unknown coaching candidate, was hired for the head coaching position. 

However, the feelings I shared about Roseman with a majority of the fanbase changed with the selections of Alabama products WR DeVonta Smith, the former Heisman-winning wideout, and G Landon Dickerson in the first two rounds.

With the addition of DT Milton Williams from Louisiana Tech in the third. Roseman’s first draft of the rebuild set a solid foundation for the future of the franchise. 

Those players proved pivotal the following season, as the Eagles, led by second-year QB Jalen Hurts helped guide the team to a 9-8 record, earning a playoff berth.

While they fell in the Wild Card round to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31-15, a playoff berth certainly wasn’t in the minds of most fans when the season began.

The Eagles had a great 2022 off-season. In free agency they upgraded their pass rush by signing away Hasson Reddick from the Carolina Panthers. They FINALLY prioritized their linebacker corps with WVU alum Kyzir White coming in from the Los Angeles Chargers.

To top it all off, Roseman stole James Bradberry from the division rival Giants to give Darius Slay a running mate in the cornerback room. 

In the draft is where the Eagles did the most damage.

They traded up to select Jordan Davis, the DT freak out of Georgia. After that, they traded for Pro Bowl WR AJ Brown (who just so happens to be best friends with Hurts) to give DeVonta Smith a killer 1-2 combination.

In the second round they drafted Cam Jurgens, the heir apparent to Jason Kelce, and to round out a stellar draft, they took LB Nakobe Dean in the third round, the leader of the national champion Georgia Bulldogs. 

You add all of these moves with the great offensive line, the young players, and the hope of Jalen Hurts developing, and you have a team with a ton of hype heading into the year. Not even mentioning that they have TWO 1st round picks in next year’s draft. 

Now that I got you caught up, I have one more point I need to bring up before getting into my predictions, and that is about Jalen Hurts.

Hurts was fairly alright last year in his first year as starter. If he plays just the same as he did last year, the Eagles will probably be in the 8 to 9 win category.

With the NFC, you definitely can get into the playoffs with 9 wins; heck, I mean the Eagles did last year! However, if Hurts wants a job in Philadelphia long term, he needs to show improvement as a passer.

His improvement alone makes this team better and has them ready to use those picks next year to get him more help. If not, the Eagles definitely will be looking at next year’s great QB Class. I believe in Hurts, and I think everyone else will by season’s end. 

Week 1: @ Detroit Lions

I love the Hard Knocks team as much as the next guy, but I think the Lions are still one more year away from truly being competitive. Eagles win (1-0)

Week 2:  Minnesota Vikings

This was probably the hardest game I had to decide on. I don’t know what the Vikings are this year. They truly can be very good or very bad. I think Justin Jefferson shows the Eagles faithful why they should have drafted him first hand. Eagles lose (1-1)

Week 3: @ Washington Commanders

I promise you that Carson Wentz will have the game of his life back at the Linc. Not this time though. Eagles win (2-1)

Week 4: Jacksonville Jaguars

This will be an emotional week for me. Doug Pederson returns. No matter what anyone says about him, they can’t take away his ring. I think the Jaguars will be good sooner rather than later, not this week though. Eagles win a squeaker (3-1)

Week 5: @ Arizona Cardinals

I don’t think the Cardinals are going to be a great team this year. Even though they start seasons hot, I think their roster is a whole lot of mid. Still, they’ll beat the Eagles since cross-country games are always hard to win/predict. Eagles lose (3-2)

Week 6: Dallas Cowboys

If the Eagles are truly ready to show the league they’re serious, they’ll do it by beating up on their biggest rival. The Cowboys have had the Eagles’ number the past few years. Not today though. Eagles win big in primetime. (4-2)

BYE

(I’m just praying we don’t have major injuries at this point in time.)

Week 8: Pittsburgh Steelers

I always love the battle of PA. Steelers will be competitive, but I don’t think any QB on the roster can deal with that terrible O-line. Eagles win (5-2)

Week 9: @ Houston Texans

I still don’t have any idea why Lovie Smith was hired. Very odd coaching choice. Texans are in year 2 of a rebuild, and while they aren’t like the voidless team they were next year, they aren’t good. Eagles win (6-2)

Week 10: Washington Commanders

This is the most obvious loss of all time. No way Carson Wentz doesn’t look like his 2017 self. Eagles lose (6-3)

Week 11: @ Indianapolis Colts

I think the Colts are a very underrated team. They have a great O-line, RB, decent passing weapons, and a good defense when healthy. Sigh, if only Andrew Luck was the quarterback playing. I miss you 12. Eagles lose (but my fantasy team wins because of Jonathon Taylor, so it isn’t all bad.) (6-4)

Week 12: Green Bay Packers

I think the Packers definitely will take a step back in years past, however they still have Aaron Rodgers. Never ever count out great quarterbacks. Eagles lose (6-5)

Week 13: Tennessee Titans

I think the Titans blew their championship window. Yes, they were the one seed in the AFC last year, but that means nothing once the clock ticks to the next season. They may be competitive, but I think they’re a step below the Colts in the AFC South. Eagles win (7-5)

Week 14: New York Giants

I for one was very sad when Dave Gettleman retired, and Joe Judge got fired. The Giants have a stable front office and head coach. However, they still have Danny Dimes. They aren’t winning a lot of games with him. Eagles win (8-5).

Week 15: @ Chicago Bears

Thoughts and prayers for Justin Fields. He didn’t die or anything; he just has to play for the Bears. Eagles win (9-5)

Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys

As much as I would love to sweep the Cowboys this year, they usually split the series. Same story here. Eagles lose (9-6)

Week 17: New Orleans Saints

Jalen Hurts has never lost to the Saints, and that doesn’t change this year. Eagles win (10-6)

Week 18:  New York Giants

Read my explanation from week 14. Eagles win (11-6)

Overall, an 11-6 record is a good football team, and that’s what I think this Eagles team is. They are on the verge of becoming elite, yet still have a bit to go. I’m very excited for this season of Eagles football. Can’t wait to have my heart broken!