Schedule Preview – Eagles
June 7, 2022
By Noonefromtampa
The third week of this new series, this time we look at the week 3 and week 10 Commander’s opponent the Philadelphia Eagles. This is the first NFC East matchup of the season.
Game Details
Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
When: Week 3 – Sunday, September 25 at 1:00 P.M., Week 10 – Monday, November 14 at 8:20 P.M.
Where: Week 3 – at home, Field-Ex Field, Week 10 – away at Lincoln Financial Field
TV Network: Week 3 – Fox, Week 10 – ESPN
2021 Eagles
Record: 9-8 – wildcard, lost to Buccaneers
Offense: 14th [passing 25th, rushing 1st]
Defense: 10th [passing 11th, rushing 9th]
Points Scored: 12th
Points Allowed: 18th
Head-to-Head: 82-87-6 regular season from 1934 to 2021, 6-20 postseason
Eagles Coaching
Nick Sirianni is in his second year as the head coach of Eagles. Previously he spent 4 years on the staff of the Chiefs, 3 years on the Chargers’ staff and 3 years as the Colts’ offensive coordinator.
Shane Steichen is the offensive coordinator coming over to the Eagles after 9 years with Chargers when Sirianni became head coach. He started as the offensive quality control coach, then quarterbacks coach and finally offensive coordinator.
Jonathan Gannon is the defensive coordinator. He is also in his second year, and previously was the Colts defensive backs coach. He started his coaching career as a defensive quality control with the Falcons and Titans. He was also the assistant defensive backs coach with the Vikings.
Eagles Schemes
The Eagles offensive scheme is not easy to label. Sirianni and Steichen came from Frank Reich’s coaching tree where they use elements of the Bills old K-Gun offense with some concepts from the West-Coast offensive and Air Coryell. The difference is that the Eagles place more emphasis on the running game. They use their running game to set up the passing game, which is sort of anachronistic in today’s pass happy NFL. For the Eagles, it has been every effective.
The Eagles defensive scheme last season was based on the 4-3 defense. There is speculation that the Eagles may be shifting to a 3-4 scheme based on free agent signings and draft picks. Of course, the Eagles coaching staff have not shared any details when questioned about this by the media.
Roster Changes
Key Losses: CB Steve Nelson (HOU), DT Hassan Ridgeway (SF), FS Rodney McLeod (IND), DE Genard Avery (PIT), LB Alex Singleton (DEN), DE Ryan Kerrigan (FA)
Key Additions: WR A.J. Brown (trade), OLB Haason Reddick (CAR), CB James Bradberry (NYG), OLB Kyzir White (LAC), WR Zach Pascal (IND), Carson Strong (UDFA)
Draft Picks: DT Jordan Davis (1-13), OL Cameron Jurgens (2-51), LB Nakobe Dean (3-83), DE Kyron Johnson (6-181), TE Grant Calcaterra (6-198)
Key Players Returning: QB Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, T Lane Johnson, TE Dallas Goedert, T Jordan Mailata, CB Darius Slay, DT Fletcher Cox, DE Derek Barnett, DE Brandon Graham, FS Anthony Harris, RB Boston Scott, DT Javon Hargrave, G Brandon Brooks
Conclusions
The Eagles focused on two areas in the offseason: acquiring more weapons on offense at the wide receiver positions and beefing up the defensive line. Their biggest acquisition was receiver A. J. Brown from the Titans. He is the legitimate number 1 wide receiver that the Eagles have been lacking for some time. The Eagles re-signed Fletcher Cox but also drafted his future replacement in Jordan Davis. They signed Hasson Riddick, which has led to the speculation that the Eagles will convert to a 3-4 defense this season. This is a make-or-break year for Jalen Hurts, as the Eagles have two first round picks in the 2023 as draft capital to go after his replacement if he falters.
Noone’s Prediction
Week 3: The Eagles first two games are on the road against the Lions and at home Monday night against the Vikings. The advantage for Washington in this game is that the game is at Fed Ex Field and the Eagles are coming off the Monday night short week. The disadvantage is that the Eagles beat Washington twice last season, both times during the late season collapse.
If there is a game Washington needs to steal it is this one; however, I have the Eagles taking this game 27-21 over the Commanders.
Week 10: The Eagles will be coming off 10 days of rest following a Thursday night game against the Houston Texans and playing at home. The schedulers have given Philadelphia a big advantage in this game. Eagles 28 – Commanders 24.