Following the Super Bowl 57 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles will begin their title hunt once again with a Week 1 road trip against the New England Patriots, who know a thing or two about Super Bowl rings. In fact, New England’s six Super Bowl wins are tied for the highest mark with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Offseason Changes and Super Bowl Aspirations
The Eagles made headlines during the offseason, extending quarterback Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255 million contract. Philadelphia lost key defensive pieces in free agency, like defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and linebacker T.J. Edwards. Running back Miles Sanders also left, signing with the Carolina Panthers.
Despite the offseason losses, NFL lines expect the Eagles to contend. They are one of the top choices to win the Super Bowl and are favored to repeat as NFC East champions. General manager Howie Roseman worked his magic, rebuilding the roster. Instead of handing out lofty contracts, Roseman and Philadelphia got excellent value with its new pieces. For example, Hargrave signed a contract worth $39 million over a three-season span. The Eagles drafted defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who was the top talent in the draft, with the No. 9 pick. This could end up being an upgrade.
Sanders also signed a deal worth over $25 million with the Panthers. Philly filled the hole with running backs D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny. Swift was acquired via trade for a late-round pick swap, and he is in the final year of his rookie contract, paying under $2 million this season. Penny was also signed for a bargain at one year, $1.35 million. Saving money allowed the Eagles to lock up Hurts for the long term. Hurts is one of the favorites for the MVP Award, per NFL odds. Philadelphia will be squarely in the ring race with Hurts and a stacked defensive line.
Key Matchup: Eagles’ Defense vs Patriots’ Offense
The Patriots do not have the same lofty goals. Making the postseason would be a successful season for New England. As of May 26, Las Vegas odds do not expect a playoff berth with the Pats priced at +215. The AFC East should be the best division in football, especially with the New York Jets adding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Plus, the AFC conference is loaded with Super Bowl contenders, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills.
Ultimately, New England’s season will likely come down to the offense. It should feature one of the best defenses in the league, led by defensive mastermind Bill Belichick. The unit finished top-10 in several categories last season and could be even better with the addition of the 2023 draft class: Cornerback Christian Gonzalez, defensive lineman Keion White and safety Marte Mapu.
Quarterback Mac Jones comes off a disappointing season, but the offensive play-calling should be much improved with Bill O’Brien taking over, who was the Houston Texans’ head man from 2014 to 2020. The Eagles will be a stiff Week 1 test. They have perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the NFL with Darius Slay and James Bradberry. Plus, Philly totaled 78 sacks last season, which was the third-most in NFL history.
Week 1 Clash: Eagles vs Patriots – A Competitive Showdown
Week 1 will be the 16th meeting between the Eagles and the Patriots. Philadelphia leads the all-time series at 8-7. The Eagles have also won two consecutive games in Gillette Stadium while going 2-0 against the spread. New England is 3-2 over the last five matchups and the over is 4-1 during the same span.
NFL odds for Week 1 expect this to be a competitive game with the point spread under one touchdown. The projected total is also in the mid-40s, making the over/under a challenging bet. The Patriots will likely lean on their defense, looking to make it a low-score game. Jones’ play will be a big key to watch, as it could signify how New England’s season will unfold. Gillette Stadium is one of the most electric atmospheres in the NFL. It should be buzzing as it hosts the defending NFC champions on opening weekend.
