Bold predictions for Nolan Smith, Eagles defense during Week 1 game vs Packers

Labor Day is in our rearview mirror and we can almost feel the Brazilian sun beaming down on our smiling faces. Perhaps you have heard. It's Green Bay Packers Week. The Philadelphia Eagles kick their season off overseas by tackling a worthy opponent. Peacock provides the viewing this coming Friday.

We know what some of you are thinking... Friday? Brazil? What the heck is going on here? This is all a part of the NFL's continuing push to expand pro football's brand and reach past American borders.

This one has a bit of a Super Bowl feel. It's in primetime. It's a standalone game. There will also be a pretty cool halftime show, one featuring Anitta. Hopefully, we will have gotten used to the black helmets and pants by halftime.

Meanwhile, we're expecting a solid showing by the Eagles' defense under Vic Fangio in his debut as defensive coordinator.

Nolan Smith does everything except for intercepting a pass and forcing a fumble.

They ran variations of Fangio's defense in years past under Jonathan Gannon. Philly finally now employs the architect. We're thinking that means more sacks.

Nolan Smith's athleticism that we have discussed so often will be put on display all season, beginning in this game. We expect he'll be schemed into at least one free rush.

We expect a pretty impressive showing, one where he dents the stat sheet in at least a few places. He'll notch a sack, an additional QB hit, a pass breakup, and tackle for loss in this one.

Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter combine for 2.5 sacks.

After watching Vic Fangio lead Christian Wilkins into the most impressive season of his career, we're pumped. We're salivating over what he'd be able to accomplish with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. We enter exhibit A into evidence.

Wilkins had never registered more than 4.5 sacks during his career. He had never generated more than 37 pressures. Last season, his first under Coach Fangio, he notched nine sacks and 61 pressures. Oh, and there's more.

20 of those pressures were unblocked. Carter and Davis are going to eat folks! Things begin with them combining for 2.5 sacks in Week 1.

Quinyon MItchell intercepts a pass in his first career game.

The hype is real. Quinyon Mitchell is the real deal, and here's what we're thinking. Scrimmaging versus AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith daily in practice will speed up his development exponentially.

He may not play a ton in Week 1, but he will play. And, we expect a splash play. He almost picked off a pass duing his first preseason game. He'll get another opportunity in Brazil, and this time, he'll hold onto the ball.

The Eagles hold Jordan Love and the Packers offense to 200 yards from scrimmage (or less).

There's a lot of talent on Green Bay's offense. Look at some of the names: Jordan Love, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Josh Jacobs. They'll be good, but it may also take some time to gel.

We're confident in Philly's defense though because they also have some playmakers at every level. You want a bold prediction? How about this? Vic Fangio's unit keeps The Pack's offense in check, and we leave Brazil discussing them more than we discuss the Eagles offense.

The Eagles defense registers five sacks and two turnovers and spearhead an Eagles victory.

Don't get us wrong. Philly's offense will deliver its fair share of fireworks in São Paulo, but we've been looking for big plays by the defense. We'll see them in Week 1.

Two of the misconceptions of Vic Fangio's defense are it bends without breaking and is more reactive than proactive. If you believe that, you're in for a treat.

Expect some blitzing through the B-gaps and a downhill attacking style versus the run. Expect big plays and a few splashes. We're calling for five sacks and two forced turnovers.

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