It’s been over 20 seasons since an NFC East team has been able to win three straight division titles.
The Eagles were the last to accomplish the feat, earning division titles in four in a row from 2001-04.
Now they have the opportunity to do it again.
The Birds, who won back-to-back division championships in 2024-25, will begin their quest for a three-peat on Sunday when they open the 2026 regular season against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.
Of course, they have their sights set on bigger goals. The Eagles are considered by most experts as one of the top NFC contenders to reach the Super Bowl, along with the defending champion, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles Rams, Green Bay Packers and a few others.
The Birds are just one year removed from winning their second Super Bowl and a sizeable chunk of that team is still wearing midnight green.
The offense still has plenty of talent with quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley, wide receiver DeVonta Smith and a solid offensive line.
Their top challenge is to find a way to replace wide receiver A.J. Brown, who forced his way out of town and is now with the New England Patriots.
Brown was the Eagles top receiver during his four seasons in town, combining for 339 receptions for 5,034 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Smith is poised to be the Eagles’ WR1 while it will be up to Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown, rookie Makai Lemon, tight end Dallas Goedert and others to fill the void.
There is also a degree of uncertainty revolving around the offensive scheme. Hurts will be playing for his seventh offensive coordinator in as many years with Sean Mannion assuming the role this season.
Defense should be the team’s strength.
Tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis form arguably the NFL’s top duo and Moro Ojomo isn’t far behind. Edge rusher Jalyx Hunt is set for a breakout season. Newcomer Jonathan Greenard should also impress.
Cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and newcomer Riq Woolen form a talented secondary. If there is a question in the defensive backfield, it’s safeties Andrew Makuba, Marcus Epps and Michael Carter.
Place-kicker Jake Elliott is under pressure after having an inconsistent season in 2025.
Here’s one guess as to how the regular season will pan out.
Week 1: Sunday, September 13 (4:25 p.m): Eagles vs. Commanders. Win or lose, I’ll be celebrating. It’s the day after my 50th high school reunion with the mighty, mighty Lower Cape May Regional High School Class of ’76. (WIN)
Week 2: Sunday, September 20 (1 p.m.): Eagles at Titans. Titans will not be worth remembering this season. Eagles should get to 2-0. (WIN)
Week 3: Monday, September 28 (8:15 p.m.): Eagles at Bears (8:15 p.m.). Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is a potential superstar. (LOSS).
Week 4: Sunday, October 4 (1 p.m.): Rams at Eagles (1 p.m.). Rams finally get their revenge against the Eagles. Jordan Davis won’t block a field goal this time. (LOSS).
Week 5: Sunday, October 11 (9:30 a.m.): Eagles vs. Jaguars in London. The trip across the pond is successful. Jaguars running back LeQuint Allen (Millville High School grad) rushes for two touchdowns, but Barkley runs for three. (WIN).
Week 6: Sunday, October 18 (1 p.m.): Panthers at Eagles. The return trip across the pond isn’t as successful. Panthers will be coming off a bye and will be well-rested. (LOSS).
Week 7: Monday, October 26 (8:15 p.m.): Cowboys at Eagles. As long as everyone keeps their saliva in check during pregame warmups, it shouldn’t be a problem. (WIN).
Week 8: Sunday, November 1 (1 p.m.): Eagles at Commanders (1 p.m.). Commanders will be coming off a bye, but that’s won’t matter. Birds sweep the series. (WIN).
Week 9: Sunday, November 8 (1 p.m.): Giants at Eagles. New Giants coach John Harbaugh returns to his old stomping grounds. He got his start as the Eagles special teams coordinator. (WIN).
Week 10: Bye.
Week 11: Sunday, November 22 (4:25 p.m.): Steelers at Eagles. Eagles earn Pennsylvania bragging rights against their former “Steagles” teammates. (WIN).
Week 12: Thursday, November 26 (4:30 p.m.): Eagles at Cowboys. Eagles are 2-0 in Thanksgiving games in Dallas. Not this time. Cowboys defensive back Marquese Bell (Bridgeton) has his first career pick six. (LOSS).
Week 13: Sunday, December 6 (4:05 p.m.): Eagles at Cardinals. Cards cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek) snares two interceptions, but it doesn’t matter. (WIN).
Week 14: Sunday, December 13 (1 p.m.): Colts at Eagles. Salem’s Jonathan Taylor rushes for 100 yards, but Saquon Barkley rushes for 150. (WIN).
Week 15: Saturday, December 19 (1 p.m.): Seahawks at Eagles. Eagles have lost eight straight to Seattle. Make it nine straight. (LOSS).
Week 16: Thursday, December 24 (8:15 p.m.): Texans at Eagles. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans plays Grinch against his former team. (LOSS).
Week 17: Sunday, January 3 (8:20 p.m.): Eagles at 49ers (8:20 p.m.). If I was going to pick just one road trip this season, this would be it. I’d get there early to play Pebble and Spyglass (bucket list) and then watch some football. (LOSS).
Week 18: Date TBD: Eagles at Giants. Giants running back Cam Scattebo is fun to watch, but Giants need more help than him and quarterback Jaxon Dart. (WIN).
Prediction: 10-7, playoff berth.
Chiefs (4:25 p.m.). Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (Vineland) and Big Red get revenge from last season’s Super Bowl. (LOSS).
Week 3: Sunday, September 21: Eagles vs. Rams (1 p.m.). Saquon Barkley rushes for 150 yards and does a backward hurdle over a Rams defender in the process. (WIN).
Week 4: Sunday, September 28: Eagles at Bucs (1 p.m.). The Eagles almost never win in Tampa. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield throws three touchdown passes and the pirate ship at Raymond James Stadium runs out of cannon balls. (LOSS).
Week 5: Sunday, October 5: Eagles vs. Broncos (1 p.m.). Bo (Nix) doesn’t know Philly. Sean Payton does, but it doesn’t matter. (WIN).
Week 6: Thursday, October 9: Eagles at Giants (8:15 p.m.). If I watch on Amazon Prime, can I also order an Eagles jersey for my wife? She currently wears a No. 9 Rodney Peete jersey. (WIN).
Week 7: Sunday, October 19: Eagles at Vikings ( 1 p.m.). Nick Foles isn’t around to pull off a “Philly Special” in Minnesota this time. (LOSS).
Week 8: Sunday, October 26: Eagles vs. Giants (1 p.m.). Russell Wilson will be benched for rookie Jaxon Dart by this point. Another season sweep for the Birds. (WIN).
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: Monday, November 10: Eagles at Packers (8:15 p.m.). Packers cornerback Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School), a converted wide receiver, grabs an interception and returns it for a TD. (LOSS).
Week 11: Sunday, November 16: Eagles vs. Lions (8:20 p.m.). Detroit continues an unbeaten season with a huge win. Aiden Hutchinson gets two sacks. (LOSS).
Week 12: Sunday, November 23 (4:25 p.m.). Eagles at Cowboys. Cee Dee Lamb asks to be traded to the Eagles at halftime. (WIN).
Week 13: Friday, November 28: Eagles vs Bears (3 p.m.). Ex-Eagles D’Andre Swift (running back) and T.J. Edwards (linebacker) play well, but not well enough to beat the Birds. (WIN).
Week 14: Monday, December 8: Eagles at Chargers (8:15 p.m.). Tough to go against Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert and coach Jim Harbaugh. Not to mention (Cameron) Dicker the Kicker. (LOSS).
Week 15: Sunday, December 14: Eagles vs. Raiders (1 p.m.). Contingent of Eagles fans boost Las Vegas’ sagging economy, but can’t help the Raiders. (WIN).
Week 16: Saturday, December 20: Eagles at Commanders (TBA). Washington quarterback Jaden Daniels and the Commanders prove last season was no fluke. (LOSS).
Week 17: Sunday, December 28: Eagles at Bills (4:25 p.m.). Bills coach Sean McDermott rests Josh Allen and starters after already clinching AFC East. (WIN).
Week 18: Date TBD: Eagles vs. Commanders. Both teams rest their starters to get ready for playoffs. Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee throws three TD passes. (WIN).
Prediction: 10-7, playoff berth.
Local NFL update
Bell, Pacheco and Melton are among five local players from Cape-Atlantic League high schools who are on active rosters to start the NFL season, along with Jacksonville Jaguars rookie RB LeQuint Allen Jr. (Vineland) and DT Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep), and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton, Bo’s younger brother.
In addition, DT Isaiah Raikes (St. Augustine Prep) is on Tennessee Titans’ practice squad after being released last week. LB Solomon DeShields (Bridgeton) and LB Raheem Powell (Vineland) were released by the Colts and Saints, respectively, last week.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points. Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
