Philadelphia Eagles NFL Prediction: 2021 Season Betting Odds and Preview
The Carson Wentz era in Philadelphia is done as second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts officially takes over a team with a fanbase that doesn’t accept losing. Hurts won the starting job in Week 14 last year and it will be up to first-time head coach Nick Sirianni to develop him into a legitimate starter. Do the Eagles have a chance to win the NFC East with hurts under centre?
Veteran Additions
QB Gardner Minshew, QB Joe Flacco, RB Jordan Howard, RB Kerryon Johnson, DE Ryan Kerrigan, LB Eric Wilson, CB Steve Nelson, S Anthony Harris, S Andrew Adams.
Notable Draft Picks
WR DeVonta Smith, C Landon Dickerson, DT Milton Williams, CB Zech McPhearson, RB Kenneth Gainwell.
Offseason Losses
QB Carson Wentz, WR Alshon Jeffery, WR DeSean Jackson, OT Jason Peters, DE Vinny Curry, DT Malik Jackson, LB Nate Gerry, LB Duke Riley, S Jalen Mills, P Cam Johnston.
Philadelphia Eagles Acquisitions and Moves
Philadelphia identified quarterback depth as a major issue in the offseason. With Carson Wentz shipped to the Colts and Hurts listed as the starter, the Eagles signed Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco to back up second-year Hurts. Flacco is an experienced quarterback who provides injury insurance and can be a mentor to Hurts. Philly also made some noise in the preseason by trading for Gardner Minshew, who will be the third-stringer behind Hurts and Flacco.
Hurts will have better targets to throw to this year, especially rookie wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who the Eagles traded up to take No. 10 overall in the draft. Smith is a dynamic, deep threat who dominated the college playoffs and should make an impact right away. It’s tough to see a quarterback not winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, but at +1574, Smith is one of the favourites among non-QBs to take home the award on Sports Interaction’s NFL player props.
Defensively, Philadelphia signed pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan away from division rival Washington. Kerrigan has recorded double-digit sacks in three different seasons and although his numbers have dipped a bit over the last two years, he’s still a nice depth piece and leadership addition.
The Eagles took a calculated gamble by signing safety Anthony Harris away from Minnesota. Harris had the best season of his career in 2019 and his regression last year was likely more due to Minnesota’s weak pass rush, so he could be due to bounce back this season. Linebacker Eric Wilson was also brought in after Philadelphia struggled to cover the middle of the field last year. Wilson, although not a superstar, will certainly help.
Philadelphia Eagles 2021 NFL Schedule
After finishing the season 4-11-1 last year, the Eagles have the easiest schedule in 2021. Amazingly, they’ll only play three games against teams that finished above .500 last year, the Saints, Buccaneers and Chiefs. They’ll get a late season bye in Week 14.
Philadelphia’s opponents combined to go 117-155 (.430) last season, making the Eagles the only team in the NFL to have a strength of schedule below .450. They are, however, one of only five teams that will play both of last year’s Super Bowl teams, although I suspect they’re still fairly happy with their overall schedule.
Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 9 @ Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 19 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 1 p.m.
Week 3: Monday, Sept. 27 @ Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 10 @ Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m.
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 14 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 p.m.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 24 @ Las Vegas Raiders, 4:05 p.m.
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 31 @ Detroit Lions, 1 p.m.
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 7 vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m.
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 14 @ Denver Broncos, 4:25 p.m.
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 28 @ New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 5 @ New York Jets, 1 p.m.
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: TBD, Washington Football Team
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 26 vs. New York Giants, 1 p.m.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 2 @ Washington Football Team, 1 p.m.
Week 18: Sunday, Jan. 9 vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles NFL Betting Odds
The Eagles are paying +275 to make the playoffs and their regular season win total is set at 6.5 on the NFL futures odds. The Under 6.5 wins is +131, which is where I lean. They have the longest odds to win the NFC East at +512, trailing New York (+472), Washington (+156) and the favourites, Dallas (+138).
If you’re looking for some crazy bets, Philly is +3745 to win the NFC Conference and +7040 to win the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles 2021 Season Prediction
The Eagles roster is filled with positional holes and even with the easiest schedule in the NFL, I don’t seem them improving in 2021. This is going to be a building year for Philadelphia and if they play their cards right (or wrong) they could have multiple high picks in next year’s draft. The Eagles are going to get crushed this year and finish last in the NFC East with a 4-13 record.