The 2022 Philadelphia Eagles are trying to make history as the first team to go 17-0 in an NFL regular season. They have been very impressive in getting to 8-0 with more than half of their games yet to be played.
Of the 28 previous teams to start at least 8-0 in the Super Bowl era, only the 1972 Dolphins were able to go 17-0, which included their playoff run through winning Super Bowl 7. The 2007 Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season ahead of losing Super Bowl 42.
The Eagles are trying to break a troubling trend. The past 10 teams who got to 8-0 all didn’t win the Super Bowl. The 2009 Saints, who started 13-0, was the last such team to finish the playoffs with a ring. In fact, overall, only 8 of the 28 teams that previously started 8-0 (28.6 percent) have go on to win the Super Bowl.
That said, Philadelphia has emerged as a strong Super Bowl 57 favorite with its complete play as it tries to match the dominance of the 2017 team that went 16-3 through winning Super Bowl 52.
POWER RANKINGS: Packers, Rams, Colts fall with fading playoff hopes; Jets, Bengals climb for Week 10
Although losing a game or a few may not be a bad thing for those chances, the Eagles also have a special opportunity to do something no other team has been able to do before them.
Here’s looking at Philadelphia’s potential path to perfection and breaking down teh possibility of it happening:
Eagles’ remaining schedule
Week 10: vs. Commanders
“The Donovan McNabb Memorial Bowl”
The Eagles have won their four home games so far with an average margin of victory of 14 points. The Commanders are overmatched on the road with their offensive issues and pass defense holes.
Prediction: Eagles get to 9-0.
Week 11: at Colts
“The Carson Wentz Memorial Bowl”
The Colts likely will still have Sam Ehlinger starting instead of former Eagles Super Bowl hero Nick Foles and banged-up Philly-area native Matt Ryan. Ehlinger is from Texans. Jeff Saturday has no chance to out-coach red-hot former Colts’ offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni.
Prediction: Eagles get to 10-0.
Week 12: vs. Packers
“The 4th and 26 Bowl”
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost 19 years since Philadelphia’s miraculous victory over Green Bay in the divisional playoffs. The Packers gave up the ill-fated long completion from McNabb to Freddie Mitchell in the fourth quarter to snatch defeat from the jaws of near-certain victory.
That was with Brett Favre. This is with Aaron Rodgers. The Eagles’ defense won’t let up on Rodgers’ disappointing season at home again in prime time (for now).
Prediction: Eagles get to 11-0.
Week 13: vs. Titans
“The A.J. Brown Revenge Game”
The Titans are pesky with their run-heavy approach with Derrick Henry, which works into the Eagles’ notable defensive weakness. They also tend to keep games close with Mike Vrabel’s gritty scheming. This game is also situated in a sneaky spot between Green Bay and a big NFC East matchup at New York. But Jalen Hurts will throw to Brown often against a bad secondary to avoid falling into this trap.
Prediction: Eagles get to 12-0.
Week 14: at Giants
“The Mike Kafka Bowl”
Kafka was once an Eagles backup quarterback under Andy Reid. He’s now the Reid-trained offensive coordinator for Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley under Brian Daboll. Barkley would love nothing more to Penn State flex on Philly in New Jersey. The Giants just don’t have enough offensive firepower to hang with Hurts, however. This short road trip will feel like a home affair.
Prediction: Eagles get to 13-0.
Week 15: at Bears
“Remember the Fog Bowl”
Philadelphia returns to Solider Field, the site of its memorable low-visibility loss in the 1988 playoffs on New Year’s Eve. This game will be played on Dec. 18, so there’s always chance for unfavorable “wintry mix” weather. Justin Fields and the run-heavy game plan of the Bears will be a challenge for the Eagles’ defense. But Hurts, Miles Sanders and others can counter on the ground well with better weapons at wide receiver and tight end. Expect it to be close.
Prediction: Eagles get to 14-0.
Week 16: at Cowboys
“The Terrell Owens Bowl”
Now we’re getting serious. The Eagles survived and won by healthy 9 points in the Week 6 matchup at home on Sunday night. The Cowboys have been a strong home team under Mike McCarthy. But Brown can go into full physical T.O. mode with appropriate help from Dallas Goedert. If the Eagles do have momentum close to perfection after creeping past the Bears. they wouldn’t lose it against their rivals.
Prediction: Eagles get to 15-0.
Week 17: vs. Saints
“Rest Or Rust Bowl?”
Should the Eagles get to 15 wins, that should ensure them getting the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage over the Vikings, whom they also beat in Week 2. But that also would mean they would have a three-week layoff before playing again in the divisional playoff round. The Saints might come limping in at the end of a disappointing season. Hurts and the other regulars get an extended tuneup with the defense shutting the door.
Prediction: Eagles get to 16-0.
Week 18: vs Giants
“Minshew Makes History”
Hurts sits, but the Eagles can turn to Gardner Flint Minshew II. The Giants might be playing for a NFC wild card, but their schedule is also easy and there’s limited competition for the No. 6 and 7 seeds. So New York might have nothing for which to play, putting in Tyrod Taylor. Minshew and Trey Sermon carry the Eagles to victory. Minshew Mania resumes. The Eagles still feel great about winning the Super Bowl.
Prediction: Eagles get to 17-0.
The Eagles will be favored in every remaining game. Their schedule has lined up well to make this happen. Outside of the upstart Bears and the Cowboys, there are no real traps. Even if there’s not perfection, they will be the first 15-2 team and on track to do what they did five playoffs ago.
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