By David Weinberg
This is a great time of year for Philadelphia sports fans.
The Phillies are on their way to clinching the National East and appear poised to contend for a World Series berth.
And now the Eagles are about to start their season.
The Birds open on Friday against the Packers in Sao Paolo, Brazil in the NFL’s first-ever game being played in that country.
For those who have had their heads stuck in the sand on a Margate beach this summer, the Eagles are again expected to be among the NFC’s top teams, along with the 49ers, Lions, Packers and Rams.
ESPN’s initial NFL power rankings for the season list the Eagles fifth behind the Chiefs, Ravens, Niners and Lions, respectively.
The lofty ranking isn’t surprising, considering the amount of talent on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts leads a potentially dynamic offense that features wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, plus new running back Saquon Barkley.
Defensively, the Eagles feature a terrific front that includes young tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, plus veteran Brandon Graham, who has announced his 15-year career in Philly will be ending after the season.
They also sport one of the NFL’s best place-kickers in Jake Elliott.
Still, there are question marks. The Eagles suffered a pair of huge losses in the offseason when center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox retired.
Cam Jurgens will get the first crack at taking over for Kelce, while Carter and Davis will help fill the void on the defensive interior.
Besides being top players, however, Taylor Swift’s boyfriends’ brother and Cox were strong leaders in the locker room and that will be much more difficult to replace.
There are also new changes on the sideline. Head coach Nick Sirianni retained his job despite last season’s collapse, but he’ll be working with a pair of new coordinators in Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio. There was also an ESPN report this summer that suggested a strained relationship between Sirianni and Hurts, though both have indicated that whatever tension may have existed is gone.
The Eagles expectations are as high as the giant ball atop Ocean Casino Resort. How they handle it will determine whether Sirianni still has a job in 2025.
Here’s one guess as to how the regular season will pan out.
Friday, Sept. 6, 8:15 p.m. – Eagles-Packers in Sao Paulo: Packers WR Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School) catches a long TD pass against Eagles rookie Quinyon Mitchell. LOSS
Monday, Sept. 16, 8:15 p.m. – Falcons at Eagles: Eagles honor retired QB Nick Foles by reintroducing “Philly Special.” Hurts catches a TD pass from TE Dallas Goedert. WIN
Sunday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m. – Eagles at Saints: Birds should enjoy an “Easy” win in “The Big Easy.” Derek Carr is no Drew Brees. WIN
Sunday, Sept. 29, 1 p.m. – Eagles at Buccaneers: Birds should have plenty of fans in Tampa, but it won’t matter. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield throws three TD passes. LOSS
Bye
Sunday, Oct. 13, 1 p.m. – Browns at Eagles: This season marks the 40th anniversary of Cleveland’s famous “Dawg Pound.” But the game is in Philly. The Eagles will pound them at the Linc. WIN
Sunday, Oct. 20, 1 p.m. – Eagles at Giants: Saquon Barkley is likely salivating over returning to his old home. He rushes for 200 yards. WIN
Sunday, Oct. 27, 4:25 p.m. – Eagles at Bengals: Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will cause more heartburn than a bowl of Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili. LOSS
Sunday, Nov. 3, 8:20 p.m. Jaguars at Eagles: Dougie P. outcoaches Nick Sirianni. Trevor Lawrence throws three TD passes to Christian Kirk. LOSS
Sunday, Nov. 10, 4:25 p.m. – Eagles at Cowboys: Cowboys Safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) returns an interception for a touchdown. LOSS
Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:15 p.m. – Commanders at Eagles: Eagles CB Darius Slay returns two interceptions for TDs against rookie QB Jayden Daniels. WIN
Sunday, Nov. 24, 8:20 p.m. – Eagles at Rams: Rams wide receivers and quarterback Matthew Stafford make Vic Fangio Puka all over his Nacua. LOSS
Sunday, Dec. 1, 4:25 p.m. – Eagles at Ravens: Birds defense has no answer for Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. LOSS
Sunday, Dec. 8, 1 p.m. – Panthers at Eagles: Former Eagles WR Jordan Matthews is now a backup TE for Carolina. WIN
Sunday, Dec. 15, 4:25 p.m. – Steelers at Eagles: Jalen Hurts outduels both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. WIN
Sunday, Dec. 22, 1 p.m. – Eagles at Commanders: Washington always seems to play them tough, especially late in the season. But the Eagles prevail. WIN
Sunday, Dec. 29, 4:25 p.m. – Cowboys at Eagles: Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott sprains his ankle trying to jump into the Salvation Army kettle in the end zone. WIN
TBD – Giants at Eagles: Eagles clinch NFC East and earn the Number 3 seed in the NFC playoffs with a victory. WIN
2024 SEASON RECORD: 10-7, first place NFC East.
Local NFL update
Bell and Melton are among five local players from Cape-Atlantic League high school who are on active rosters to start the NFL season, along with Bills DT Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep, Galloway Township), Cardinals rookie CB Max Melton (Cedar Creek HS), who is Bo’s younger brother, and Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (Vineland).
In addition, DL Abdullah Anderson (Absegami) is on the Titans practice squad after being released last week. Rookie LB Yvondy Rigby (Egg Harbor Township) was released by the Ravens and is looking to sign with another team. OL J.D. DiRenzo (St. Joseph Hammonton) was released with an injury settlement by the Panthers last month.
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.
