The Eagles need to get off to a hot start in 2020
22 May 2020 Philadelphia Eagles
May is that month on the NFL Calendar that kicks off the look-ahead to the upcoming season. The draft is over, the schedule has been announced and most free agents are off the market.
It’s time to look ahead to the 2020 season. The Philadelphia Eagles will enter the 2020 season looking to defend their NFC East crown. Defending that crown is not going to be easy.
Taking a look at the divisional competition, each team in the NFC East has improved this offseason. Dallas added one of the best weapons in the draft in CeeDee Lamb, the Giants should grow on their rebuild and the Redskins will be better than last year simply by bringing in veteran coach Ron Rivera.
Conversely the Eagles offseason has had its ups and downs. Howie Roseman put an emphasis on the defense with this free agency, bringing in 5 key defensive players, including the blockbuster trade of acquiring Darius Slay. However, the loss of Malcom Jenkins should be noted heading into 2020.
On the offensive side of the ball, this team will be relying on rookie Jalen Reagor to produce immediately, and the health of DeSean Jackson. If not, this team’s wide receiver core could look similar to week 17 of 2019. On top of that, the Eagles will have a new unproven left tackle in Andre Dillard.
With that said, the Eagles offense looks to be quicker . They brought in tons of speed on the outside and at the running back position.
Now let’s take a look at the schedule. After week 3, the schedule is a challenge. The Eagles will have the following three game stretches in 2020.
Week 4: @ 49ers Week 12: VS Seahawks
Week 5: @ Steelers Week 13: @ Packers
Week 6: VS Ravens Week 14: VS Saints
It is not going to be easy. Those three game stretches are as tough as it gets in the NFL. The Eagles are going to have to come out of those six games with at least two wins to have any shot at winning the division. Having said that, I think the most important three game stretch of the year is their first one.
The Eagles will start the year off in Washington, where they will be the favorites. Week 1 odds are already out, and the Eagles are slated as 6.5 point favorites according to Sports Betting Dime. Division games are always tough and I do think Washington has had one of the better off seasons in the NFL this year. Nevertheless, I think the Eagles will take care of business. Washington is a rebuilding team with a new coach and it usually takes a few games for a team like Washington to shake off the rust.
The Eagles return home to take on the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are a team that will look drastically different then they did last year. They have overhauled their roster after many questionable decisions from the front office. They will most likely struggle next season. The Eagles should win this one as well.
Week 3 is an interesting game, as the first overall pick comes to town. Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are definitely an intriguing team next season and could shock some people. However I believe this improved Bengel team will take a few games to get going. Burrow will have only played in his third NFL game, and the Eagles defense should be able to feast.
I think it is pretty imperative that the Eagles get off to a hot start next season. Each and every NFL game is tough. There is never an easy game in this league and anything can happen on any given Sunday.
Nonetheless, the Eagles have been gifted with a very winnable first three game stand. They have to take advantage of this to gain momentum heading into the tough part of their schedule. They cannot stumble out of the gate like last year if they want to win the division again.
If the Eagles can take care of business in their first three games, I think they will be just fine down the stretch.