Eagles 2nd half predictions: The Kelce-Swift combo that matters; tush push to Super Bowl?

Things are about to get real for the Eagles.

The week off provided a great opportunity for the Eagles to reflect on their 8-1 start, heal their wounds, and to get ready for an unforgiving five-week gauntlet that begins next Monday night with a Super Bowl rematch against the Chiefs in Kansas City.

Sure, the Eagles have the best record in the NFL. But quarterback Jalen Hurts may or may not be still dealing with a knee injury; tight end Dallas Goedert and linebacker Nakobe Dean are expected to miss multiple weeks with injuries; and did we mention the Eagles' upcoming schedule?

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Beginning with the Chiefs, the Eagles will face five straight teams that have a combined record of 30-15 (.667 winning percentage). Some of the mistakes the Eagles got away with earlier in the season won't fly against the likes of the Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, Buffalo's Josh Allen or the 49ers Nick Bosa and new D-linemate Chase Young.

"We can’t be repeat offenders," Hurts said about the mistakes. "We’re having these conversations. I have this demeanor here. I have this hunger in my heart. So we’re sitting here 8-1. So that’s a very great feeling. Yet it’s about winning, but it’s about the standard too."

Here, then, is a game-by-game look at how the rest of the regular season will go:

Nov. 20, At Kansas City Chiefs (7-2)

All eyes will be on Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his love interest Taylor Swift. No doubt, she'll be in a private box wearing a Chiefs No. 87 jersey watching with his mother, Donna Kelce, who will be wearing her Chiefs/Eagles jersey. Donna, of course, will be conflicted because her other son, Jason, plays for the Eagles. And they, too, have a Swift in running back D'Andre. The best way for the Eagles to win this game is with a ball-controlled running attack. In that regard, the Eagles' Kelce-Swift combo is better than the Chiefs' Kelce-Swift combo.

Prediction: Win, 9-1

Nov. 26, vs. Buffalo Bills (5-4)

It was notable in the spring of 2022, before Hurts had emerged as a star quarterback, that Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie brought up Allen, mentioning how Allen's stats his first two seasons weren't great. Then Allen took off, and the Bills became a perennial Super Bowl contender, just like the Eagles with Hurts. But the Bills have stagnated somewhat this season, particularly with the running attack. The Bills, who play Monday night, will also be weary as their bye week doesn't start until after this game. The Eagles will be also wearing their kelly green jerseys again.

Prediction: Win, 10-1

Dec. 3, vs. San Francisco (6-3)

You might have heard 49ers players, particularly Deebo Samuel, whine about their 31-7 NFC Championship game loss when the Eagles knocked both quarterbacks out of the game with injuries, including starter Brock Purdy with an elbow injury that required surgery. And sure, the 49ers are going to be motivated now that Purdy is healthy. But you can also bet that the Eagles are tired of the 49ers disrespecting their victory, and the Eagles are playing at home, and the 49ers don't have a chance, even with an extra pass rusher in Young, the former Washington Commander.

Prediction: Win, 11-1

Dec. 10, at Dallas Cowboys (6-3)

Eagles-Cowboys is always great TV. And after their classic last week, when Dallas twice had a chance to win before coming up just short, you can rest assured that the Cowboys would like nothing better than to exact revenge in Jerry World. The Cowboys haven't lost at home to the Eagles since 2017. It'll be tough to see the Eagles win twice.

Prediction: Loss, 11-2

Dec. 17, at Seattle Seahawks (6-3)

The Eagles are 0-7 against Seattle going back to 2008, and that includes a playoff loss at the Linc in Jan. 2020. On the Eagles' last visit to Seattle, in Dec. 2017, they were leading the NFL with a 10-1 record. The Seahawks shut down the Eagles 24-10. But that Seahawks team and this one are totally different. And Geno Smith is not beating the Eagles.

Prediction: Win, 12-2

Dec. 25, vs. New York Giants (2-8)

The last time the Eagles faced the Giants was in the divisional round of the playoffs, after the Giants had won a road playoff game against the Vikings. The Eagles destroyed the Giants 38-7, two weeks after sweeping the season series against the Giants. The Giants have fallen off a cliff since then, and quarterback Daniel Jones is done for the season. Maybe Tyrod Taylor is back by then. Maybe not. It doesn't matter. Merry Christmas.

Prediction: Win, 13-2

Dec. 31, vs. Arizona Cardinals (2-8)

The Eagles should have home field throughout the NFC playoffs locked up by then. So sure, they could rest many of their starters, but they won't. At least not for the first half. After all, the Cardinals are coached by former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. You remember him? The guy whom the Cardinals tampered with during Super Bowl week. And the guy who said in an interview this fall that he "bit my tongue" at some of the decisions being made, and now that he's in charge, "it's (expletive) freeing."

No doubt, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni would like to see just how freeing it is for Gannon to make decisions down by four touchdowns.

Prediction: Win, 14-2

Jan. 7, at New York Giants (2-8)

This will be a big game ... for Josh Jobe, Moro Ojomo, Tyler Steen, Kelee Ringo and rookie quarterback Tanner McKee, among others who rarely play. That's because Sirianni will sit as many starters as possible for the playoffs. Perhaps Marcus Mariota plays the first half, and Jason Kelce takes the opening snap to keep his consecutive games started streak going. And possibly A.J. Brown if he's close to 2,000 yards receiving. Other than that, this will resemble a preseason game. The Eagles have bigger goals than beating the Giants.

Prediction: Loss, 14-3

Playoffs

The Eagles will be the top seed, but they won't be facing the 49ers in an NFC Championship game rematch after dispatching the Vikings in the Divisional Round. The Eagles will face the Cowboys, and just like in Jan. 1981, they'll beat Dallas. Then they'll face the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl.

And here, the Eagles will be down by 4 points, in the final seconds, facing a 4th-and-goal from the Ravens' 1 yard line. What play do you think the Eagles will call to win their second Super Bowl?

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Philadelphia Eagles 2nd half predictions: Mapping a Super Bowl return