Prof Meyer's Top Futures Play Philadelphia UNDER 10 wins – The Eagles are more smoke and mirrors than substance. They did win four in a row to close out the 2011 season, but they beat only the Dolphins, Jets, Cowboys and Redskins. None of these four teams finished the season over 500 and Stephen McGee was behind center for the Cowboys when the Eagles beat them. Philadelphia was a huge disappointment last season and they should be again this season. One reason is the “quirks” in their schedule.
For example, in both games vs Dallas this season, the Eagles are off a Monday Night game. Dallas was swept by the Eagles last season and will have an enhanced opportunity for revenge because of the favorable scheduling situation.
Even more importantly, the Eagles get FOUR teams off their bye week this season. In weeks 5, 6, 8 and 11, the Eagles get a team that has had two weeks to prepare for them. In week 5 they get the Steelers off of their bye, in week 6 they get the Lions off of their bye, in week 8 they get the Falcons off of their bye and in week 11 they visit the Redskins when they are off of their bye (Philadelphia has their bye in week 7). Certainly, the Eagles' quality opponents in these four games will benefit from the extra time – perhaps enough for their opponent to get the straight up win. It is also worth mentioning that the Eagles also have two opponents that are off a Thursday game this season, making two more games vs a team with extra rest. In all, the Eagles have NINE opponents with more than the normal six days rest this season – by far the most in the league (most other teams have three or fewer).
Andy Reid was a great coach earlier in his career, but it is evident in his press conferences that he is wearing down and will be frustrated by any dissention among the players – which is very likely to occur when they lose a game they should have won. Reid was VERY close to retirement last season and it was evident that the fans were disappointed when he decided to return for one more year. We don’t think he’ll last the entire season. Michael Vick is injury prone and is not the even close player he once was. He committed 24 turnovers last season and there’s no reason why this number should improve this season. That fact that the Eagles aggressively went after Peyton Manning is compelling evidence that the Eagles don’t have that much confidence in Vick. We have the Eagles third in their division.
MTi’s FORECAST: PHILADELPHIA 8-8
Comments and criticisms welcome.
Prof Meyer
