Philadelphia Eagles versus Washington: 5 Bold predictions for Week 1

5. Philadelphia Eagles win by two touchdowns.

Take a poll about this one, and you won’t have any issues with finding quite a few Eagles fans that will tell you that this is a game Philly should win, but you’ll also find a smaller group in that faction that believes the game will be close.

While it’s easy to argue that point (it’s a rivalry game where the two teams know each other), it’s also easy to explain why a convincing victory is equally as possible. For those that subscribe to the close-game theory, here’s the defense.

Records don’t matter when two teams that play twice a year see each other. Neither squad had the benefit of a preseason game to work any kinks out, and the first game of any regular season can result with a team seeing its share of complications.

Here’s where the fine line between winning and losing in the NFL comes in. Some of the reasons why this game might be tight are also some of the reasons why this game might be a blowout win. Losing the opportunity to play in four preseason games might be a bigger deal for the team with a new head coach and a new defensive scheme than it is for the team with consistency in its coaching staff. Keep in mind the fact that Washington switches from the 3-4 defensive scheme to the 4-3 scheme in 2020.

Then, there’s this. Carson Wentz is better than Dwayne Haskins, and he edges Washington’s signal caller with 57 games of experience with 57 starts (if you include the playoffs) compared to nine games with seven starts by Haskins. It’s hard to determine how Washington is going to score consistently. It’s also hard to believe they’ll put together a flawless performance in Ron Rivera’s first game. Philly will win this one, and they’ll win by two touchdowns. Write it down.