Training camp starts in exactly two weeks and even though so many things can change between now and Week 1, it is never too early to start looking toward what the Eagles will be up against once the games start to count.
So from now until the opening of training camp, we will be looking at the Eagles' schedule in four parts, and predicting the outcomes of each game.
Week 1 vs. Cleveland Browns
The Browns traded away their shot at a potential franchise quarterback to the Eagles during the offseason when they dealt the second overall pick of the draft for a bevy of Eagles picks. Instead of taking Carson Wentz for themselves, the Browns are betting heavily on Hue Jackson being able to resurrect Robert Griffin III's career.
But even if Griffin returns to form, there is little talent elsewhere on the Browns' roster. Years of poor drafting has left the Browns roster devoid of exceptional players and they are a preseason favorite for the worst record in the league.
Meanwhile, the Eagles will be playing in front of a hot crowd at the Linc and if Sam Bradford and company can take care of the ball, the Doug Pederson era opens up with a win.
Prediction: Eagles win, 24-10.
Record: 1-0
Week 2 at Chicago Bears
The Bears are entering their second year under John Fox after finishing last year 6-10. Jay Cutler had one of his better seasons in 2015, but offensive coordinator Adam Gase has moved on to Miami so it may take a little bit for the offense to find its footing, especially without the presence of Matt Forte or Martellus Bennett.
However, Fox is a very good coach and his previous teams have achieved huge jumps in wins in his second seasons with them. The Eagles and Bears are pretty evenly matched, but being at home and having Fox at the helm gives the Bears a slight edge in this matchup.
Prediction: Bears win, 23-20.
Record: 1-1
Week 3 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Of the four teams on the first part of the Eagles' schedule, the Steelers are the only team who will make the Eagles huge underdogs. Coming off a year where they had a record-setting offense without Le'Veon Bell, the Steelers are bona fide Super Bowl contenders.
The last time the Steelers visited Philadelphia was in 2008 and the home team emerged victorious by a score of 15-6. This time the Eagles' D won't be as suffocating and Pederson's offense will struggle to keep up with their cross-state counterpart.
Prediction: Steelers win, 35-17.
Record: 1-2
Week 4: Bye
An early bye makes it next to impossible for the Eagles to install Wentz as the starting quarterback during the extra week. Despite sitting at just 1-2 at this point, unless Bradford plays like his football skills were stolen by some aliens from Moron Mountain, he will remain at the helm of the offense. Expect a quiet bye week and for the team to not try anything drastic to alter the course of the season this early.
Week 5 at Detroit Lions
One thing Andy Reid never did was lose a game after a bye week. In fact, he lost just two in his Eagles coaching career: Super Bowl XXXIX and a 30-17 loss following the team's bye week in 2012. Will Pederson inherit his mentor's success when given an extra week to prepare?
This year, the Eagles head to Detroit after their bye, returning to the scene of last year's Thanksgiving beat down. Any team worth their salt will have revenge on their mind after that embarrassment and the Eagles have a lot of proud veterans on their roster. A blowout shouldn't be expected, but the Lions are a team reeling with no offensive weapons after the retirement of Calvin Johnson and a defense that was ranked last in the NFL in points allowed.
The Eagles could jump out to an early lead and, if he's healthy, Ryan Mathews could punish a defense that was ranked 31st against the run a season ago.
Prediction: Eagles win, 31-21.
Record: 2-2
In Conclusion
The early part of the Eagles schedule is pretty easy, considering they are facing three teams who were under .500 a season ago. A 3-1 start isn't out of the question, but for right now, splitting their first four games isn't a failure for a team that doesn't have playoff aspirations for the current season.
Tucker Bagley is a staff writer for Sports Talk Philly. Follow him on Twitter @tbagley515.
