2018 Philadelphia Eagles Road Schedule Odds with Expert Picks and Predictions
It's that time of year again! The NBA playoffs are down to the conference finals, the NFL Draft is in the rear-view mirror, and the week-by-week NFL game odds have been released. That means we start previewing all 32 teams' road schedules with a projected record and then come back around and do all 32 home schedules with a final overall record and "over/under" pick.
Also as usual, we start this process with the defending Super Bowl champions. For the first time ever, that's the Philadelphia Eagles. Definitely can't say that last May I would be calling the Eagles as Super Bowl champions. Shoot, I largely gave up on them in Week 14 when superstar quarterback and NFL MVP contender Carson Wentz tore his ACL diving in for a touchdown in a shootout win at the Los Angeles Rams. Backup Nick Foles took over and became a Philly legend in finally delivering that title-starved city a Super Bowl - earning game MVP honors along the way. It was Foles who recommended that ballsy trick play against the New England Patriots.
I thought the Eagles should have traded Foles this offseason because his value would never be higher, and I'm sure they took plenty of calls. However, the uncertainty of Wentz returning from his injury (he also tore the LCL) led Eagles management to hang on to arguably the NFL's best No. 2. For purposes of this story, I'm going to assume that Wentz is back for Week 1, and the former North Dakota State star and No. 2 overall pick seems to think he will be. I can also assure you that the Iggles will not push their franchise player and would have no concerns about starting Foles for the first month or so. It's a good problem to have.
Philadelphia was 6-2 on the road last season. The Eagles were 5-3 against the spread away from home and 5-3 "over/under." They travel to four teams that made the playoffs last year: Tennessee, Jacksonville (most years, landing those two road games would be considered a great thing), New Orleans and the LA Rams. It's a really tough schedule, as it should be for a first-place team. I project the Eagles to go 4-4 on the road. Odds listed for the home team.
Sept. 16 at Bucs (+3): Could be a bit of a letdown game off the Thursday season opener at home and playoff rematch vs. the Falcons for the Eagles. It's Philadelphia's first trip to Tampa in five years, and the Eagles are 4-3 all-time in Tampa and 3-1 at Raymond James Stadium. The Bucs beat the Eagles 45-17 in Philadelphia in their last meeting in 2015. Key trend: Eagles have won and covered past two in Tampa.
Sept. 30 at Titans (+1.5): Interesting that Philly's first road game is against the No. 1 overall pick in the in the 2015 draft in Tampa's Jameis Winston and the next road game is against that year's No. 2 overall pick in Marcus Mariota. The Titans have won four of the last five games against the Eagles, but the Eagles won the last meeting, 43-24, at home four years ago. Philly is 7-4 all-time against the Titans/Oilers franchise and 3-2 on the road. Key trend: Eagles 4-4 ATS at AFC South foes.
Oct. 11 at Giants (+3): Thursday night game, with the Eagles coming off another highly-charged home playoff rematch against the Minnesota Vikings. Most Philly fans probably still love new Giants running back Saquon Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick this year out of Penn State. The Eagles are 9-2 in their last 11 at the Giants. They won there in Week 15 last year, 34-29, in Foles' first start for the injured Wentz. Foles threw four TD passes to four different receivers. Philly's special teams blocked three kicks. Key trend: Eagles 4-3 ATS as favorite at Giants (didn't cover last year).
Oct. 28 at Jaguars (pick'em): This one's in London at 9:30 a.m. ET and ahead of Philadelphia's bye - one of the best potential London matchups ever. This wasn't too far from being a Super Bowl rematch as the Jaguars gave the Patriots all they could handle in the AFC title game. This should be a defensive battle. The Eagles have never played a regular-season game in London. Key trend: Eagles 7-3 ATS in past 10 before bye (any location).
Nov. 18 at Saints (-2): Eagles off a big Sunday night home game vs. Dallas, and this is scheduled for their only true dome game (the Cowboys sort of play in one). The Saints obviously should have been the team to face the Eagles in last year's NFC title game but for the Minneapolis Miracle. Overall, the Eagles are 8-9 in New Orleans. Key trend: Eagles 5-2 ATS in past seven trips to Big Easy.
Dec. 9 at Cowboys (pick'em): Short week for the Eagles off a Monday night home matchup vs. Washington and ahead of a big trip to the Rams on Sunday night in Week 15. Thus, I'm guessing this won't be flexed to prime time. The Eagles have won six of their last eight games in Dallas, including by 28 last year. Key trend: Eagles 6-4 ATS in past 10 at Dallas.
Dec. 16 at Rams (-1): As noted, Sunday night. This absolutely could be for the potential top seed in the NFC as the Rams look stacked. Of course, also our second matchup between Wentz and the guy taken one spot ahead of him in 2016, Jared Goff. The Eagles have won five straight games against the Rams, including last year's 43-35 Wentz injury game. Key trend: Eagles 4-6 ATS in past 10 as a road dog of 2 points or fewer.
Dec. 30 at Redskins (TBA): Per usual, no lines for Week 17 games with too many potential intangibles. The Eagles have lost three of their last four games at FedEx Field but won last year 30-17 in the season opener. The Eagles are 37-44-3 all-time vs. the Redskins on the road. Key trend: Eagles 5-5 ATS in past 10 at Washington.
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