Sean Selby

Finally, after 8 months since our hearts were broken in a close loss in Super Bowl LVII, t’s time for the revenge tour to begin. I am not sure anyone in the league is more motivated than Jalen Hurts and beginning this Sunday, he’s going to make it known.

The Patriots have a pretty good defense so this isn’t going to be a breeze by any stretch, but I also don’t expect the Eagles to score less than 3 touchdowns against them. That puts a lot of pressure on Mac Jones and the Patriots offense. Although I do think this Eagles defense will come out slow for the first few weeks of the season, this matchup is perfect to ease them in a bit. Eagles 28, Pats 16

Pat Mulranen

The Eagles should not have a problem Sunday.However, the Patriots are holding a ceremony for Tom Brady, and how can they lose when honoring one of the best quarterbacks of all time (who the Eagles beat in the Super Bowl)? The Eagles might also have, what some call, a Super Bowl hangover. Plus, the Eagles have a lot of high expectations coming into this season.All that adds up to a trap game, right? Not this time!

Jalen Hurts is coming off an MVP-like season, shattering NFL and franchise records along the way. He just missed winning MVP as well as a Super Bowl championship. So, Hurts is going to be more hungry than ever this season, and Sunday will be a big day for him. He wants to come out of the gate strong and make a statement, and he will do so.But does that mean the rest of the team will follow? I would think so.

The offense should be fine. The Patriots do have a solid defense, so don’t expect 50-plus points. But the Eagles high-powered offense should put up good numbers. Hurts will throw for a couple, and run one in. DeVonta Smith will be the leading receiver. It will be interesting to see who is the leading rusher. The hope is with a good mix of backs that Hurts will not have to run as much, which he should not do Sunday. If I were Nick Sirianni, I would be drilling that into Hurts’ head.

The game should not be close and there should be no need for him to run around and risk getting injured Week 1. I want to see what the running back committee can do, and I want to see that great arm of Hurts. Also, expect Jalen Carter to do something big! In fact, the entire defensive front! They are young and will be ready to go, no doubt. Get to Mac Jones early and rattle him. The defense needs to watch for Rhamondre Stevenson, too. He is dangerous in the passing game and can break for big gains.It should be a fun first game, but the Eagles should earn a two-score victory. Eagles 35, Patriots 20

Mike Sliwinski

Football is back! And the expectations for the Philadelphia Eagles may have never been this high before the start of a season. The Eagles were one…questionable pass interference call away from having the ball in their hands with plenty of time to either tie with a FG or win the Superbowl with a TD. But this is a new year and the team on paper might be even better than last year. It all starts with the once mighty and now average New England Patriots who finished 8 and 9 last year hosting the Eagles who finished 14 and 3 last year.

In looking at the offensive side of the ball, New England had high hopes for Mid first round QB Mac Jones. Big shoes to fill taking over for Brady (who will be honored before the game, and thus have the crowd riled up), and Jones has answered…by being just ok. As with the quarterback goes the rest of the offense that finished last year 17th out of 32 teams. They replaced their best receiver the past few years in Jacobi Meyers, with Suberbowl winner, big mouth wide receiver, whose play is…again average in Ju Ju Smith-Schuster. The Eagles on the other hand finished 2nd offensively and are getting pretty much the whole band back together. Only 2 players lost and yet savvy moves by GM Howie Roseman, has them set to not miss a beat. The offensive lineman that left for a big payday is replaced by a 2nd round draft pick that seems more than ready to go. Solid running back Mile Sanders is replaced by not one but 2 excellent (albeit injury prone) backs. Another year together and players ascending, makes things look good. Advantage Eagles here.

Defensively from a points against standpoint the teams were pretty equal. Eagles finished 8th best and New England 11th best with 3 points against separating the two teams. I think the difference as we talked about on the show last night is in the names. The Eagles are stacked with household names and pro bowlers at Cornerback and on the defensive line. They also have a bunch of young Dogs…literally, Georgia Bulldogs, that are set to wreck havoc and take the place of players lost in free agency in Javon Hargraves, and others inevitably set to enjoy their well deserved retirement in Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox. In name recognition alone the nod goes to the Eagles, it’s just a little closer than it was on offense.

Coaching goes to the Patriots, who still have the GOAT in Bill Bellichick on their sidelines. Also of note is the Eagles who have a good head coach themselves, have a new offensive and defensive coordinator.

In the end, yes the Eagles might be outcoached in this game. New England will be fired up after the Brady retirement ceremony. Homefield is always better. The Eagles chose to rest their starters and didn’t push hard in preseason to preserve energy and avoid injuries. This all leads to the Patriots coming out strong, but the Eagles will adjust, talent will prevail and what could be a magical season starts with a W. Eagles 30 Patriots 23