Eagles and Redskins Predictions

by Blake Butterfield

If the NFC East is not the toughest division in the NFL this season, I will be surprised. Unfortunately for the Washington Redskins, I see them at the bottom of the heap come season’s end. That is not a knock on the ‘Skins, just a sign of what they are up against this year with that the Eagles rising again and the improvements made by every other NFC East squad.

Remember how surprised everyone was at the numbers Brunell and Moss put up last year? That is because it wasn’t supposed to happen. (I did not even think Brunell would retain the starting job after taking over when Ramsey was injured but kudos to him for proving me wrong.) Take away a miscue by the Cowboys’ secondary in week two and this team misses the playoffs, Dallas is in and who knows what happens then? Now, I realize that things like this happen every game and every year and what-ifs have no real answers. I also know that neither Brunell nor Moss can keep it up year after year. One look at their past stats will show you how inconsistent they are. These two are so up and down they could probably get a roller-coaster named after them at Six Flags.

If the Redskins are going to win more than the posted total of nine games, a huge year must be had by Clinton Portis - one of my favorite players in the game. It could very well happen but their schedule makes me think otherwise. With only the games against Tennessee and Houston immediately catching the eye as ‘easy’, Washington has a tough year ahead. Nine wins will be hard. Ten? I can’t see it happening. Take the under and the +105 deal you’ll get with it.

The Eagles should get back on the track that saw them go to three consecutive NFC Championship games prior to last season’s debacle. They have no star receiver now but they also cured the cancer that had riddled the locker room after they made the Super Bowl in 2005. Can you name any top Eagles receiver, except the one who misquotes his own idiot self in his own autobiography, in any of the past 5 years? If so, you probably live in Philly. That is because this team can get it done without a star wideout. It is because they operate as a team. At least they did and reports out of training camp sound positive.

They have solid lines on both offense and defense. They have had a year to adjust to the loss of Corey Simon and Derrick Burgess. McNabb must and can get back to the leadership form he displayed when there was no question this was his team. They need some balance in the running game. Hell, any balance in the running game would suffice as an improvement. Coach Reid knows this and will adjust.

The books have the season win total set at only 8.5 games for Philadelphia. This low mark is based on last year and last year was an anomaly for this squad that has been a model of consistency since Reid’s second year at the helm. Since the start of this millennium, last year was the first time this squad did not win at least 11 games.
In their first six games of 2006, the Eagles have only two contests that should prove to be tough and both are home games. The first is against the Giants and the second is the highly anticipated first meeting with the Dallas Cowboys and their new disease…er, star receiver. You think the Eagles won’t be up for that? I can see this team being 6-0 heading into Week 7 at Tampa Bay. Take the over and pay the -125. It’ll be worth it!

For NFL NFC East Gambling Odds click here.

More NFL Prediction Articles

August 14th - 2006 - Saints & Bucs Predictions
August 14th - 2006 - Falcons & Panthers Predictions
August 3rd - 2006 - Eagles & Redskins Predictions
August 1st - 2006 - Bengals & Steelers Predictions
July 27th - 2006 - Browns & Ravens Predictions
July 24th - 2006 - Broncos & Chiefs Predictions
July 24th - 2006 - Raiders & Chargers Predictions

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