In sports, a good beat down can be a positive for the soul, and as Philadelphia prepares to regroup from a 42-19 loss to the 49ers, we’re looking ahead to the final five games.
The Eagles are 10-2 after twelve games played entering Week 14, and they’ll play five more regular season games before entering the postseason. Even with a complete collapse, Philadelphia will still make the playoffs, but a deep postseason run is predicated on efficient football and a team hitting its peak at just the right time.
Nick Sirianni’s Eagles received a jolt of energy after signing veteran linebacker Shaq Leonard, and star tight end Dallas Goedert is expected to return to the lineup after missing three games with a fractured forearm.
The air of dominance is gone after the loss to San Francisco, but Philadelphia is still among the best teams in football and has the veteran leadership needed to survive this gauntlet.
With preparation for Dallas underway, we’re predicting the final five games.
Week 14: Sunday, December 10 at Dallas Cowboys at 8:20 PM+ (NBC)
The second of two matchups in five weeks, Philadelphia will meet the Cowboys on the road after getting decimated by San Francisco.
The Cowboys are as physically dominant as the 49ers, but CeeDee Lamb (WR) and Jake Ferguson (TE) present the same matchup nightmares for Sean Desai’s defense. The Eagles have the mental advantage of a recent win (Week 9), and they’ll be seriously motivated after being embarrassed on national television.
This prediction is less about the Shaquille Leonard addition and more about Philadelphia Darius Slay Traveling with Lamb and simply being the better team.
Prediction: WIN 11-2
Week 15: Sunday, December 17 at Seattle Seahawks at 4:25 PM+ (FOX)
The West Coast isn’t the best so late into the season, and before Week 1, we predicted an Eagles loss after a hard-fought win over the Cowboys.
Seattle is 6-6, has lost three straight, and has fallen out of the 7th playoff spot following a 41-35 defeat at Dallas on Thursday night.
Geno Smith had 334 yards passing, three touchdowns, and one interception in the loss, but late drops and blown coverages upset Seattle.
Like the Cowboys and 49ers, the Seahawks have the skill position players to give Philadelphia headaches, with DK Metcalf having the size to drive Darius Slay crazy and Geno Smith having a quick release.
The West Coast isn’t the best Coast, and the Eagles dropped a close game on the road one week after wrapping up the NFC East.
Prediction: Loss 11-3
Week 16: Monday, December 25 vs. New York Giants at 4:30 PM+ (FOX)
The Christmas holiday offers another chance to secure a division win, while building confidence, and Philadelphia starts to regain their dominance with a win over the Giants.
Prediction: WIN 12-3
Week 17: Sunday, December 31 vs. Arizona Cardinals at 1 PM+ (FOX)
The Cardinals tampered with Jonathan Gannon, and the Eagles are still angry about the way Arizona’s first-year linebacker’s coach was hired amid other transgressions.
Prediction: Win 13-3
Week 18: TBD at New York Giants
One of Philadelphia’s two losses was to an AFC foe, and the season finale won’t be meaningless, as a win could secure the No. 1 seed, and homefield advantage.
Philadelphia gets the No. 1 seed, and Tanner McKee sees regular season snaps as the Eagles secure a first-round bye.
Prediction: Win 14-3
