More reason for Eagles optimism

After a whirlwind off-season for Chip Kelly and the Eagles, after a free-agency frenzy mixed in with mind-numbing trades, I thought this team was destined for a season ranging from 7-9 to 9-7. That would have been unacceptable in a pivotal third year with fans salivating for a postseason win, one that has eluded this franchise since January 2009.

However, the NFL scheduling gods made 2015 very manageable for the Birds. We knew the opponents. We just needed to see the order. Order matters. Now, I am more optimistic.

The first month of the season is a great launching pad for this new core of Eagles. Let's begin with the Monday Night Football opener in Atlanta. I know Matt Ryan is very difficult in his own building, but the only thing being pumped into the Georgia Dome will be points by Kelly's offense. Dan Quinn will turn the Falcons defense around, but not by Week 1. His defensive squad will be sucking wind thanks in part to the tempo of Kelly's offense. Eagles win in the dome.

In Week 2, Dallas will come into Lincoln Financial Field and beat Philadelphia. These two teams are very close, but the edge goes to the Cowboys, who have a more solidified option at quarterback, in Tony Romo, and Dez Bryant on the perimeter. I like the addition of Byron Maxwell, but he's not stopping Bryant. Factor in Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon at running back, and Dallas will be back to its 2014 form on offense with a great run-pass balance.

Weeks 3 and 4, the Eagles will roll. The Jets added weapons on offense and still have a good defense, but any way you slice it, their quarterback issues will plague them against a revamped Eagles defense and a high-powered offense. The Redskins are the bottom feeders of the NFC East, and I don't expect Jay Gruden to get this thing turned around. Eagles will have payback on their minds from last season and wrap up the first quarter of the season sitting at 3-1.

Week 5 will feature a home game against Drew Brees and the Saints. Redemption should be on the Eagles' mind after they lost to the Saints at home in the 2014 playoffs. I don't think last year was a blip on the radar for New Orleans. I believe the decline is real and the loss of Jimmy Graham will prove costly. The Eagles squeeze out a close one against Sean Payton's squad -- Kelly and the Eagles flying high at 4-1.

On Monday night, Oct. 19, the Eagles will battle the New York Giants on ESPN. I have the same mind-set here as with the season opener against Dallas. Give me the more proven quarterback (Eli Manning) and the star receiver (Odell Beckham Jr.) over what the Eagles can offer at either position. These teams are ultra close, but I'm taking New York in Round 1.

The Eagles then will roll into Carolina and, much like 2014, I would expect this to be a lopsided affair. Carolina wants to play ugly, and ugly it will be -- on the scoreboard, that is. Eagles will roll again and head into the bye at 5-2.

The "second half of the season" will start with a matchup in Jerry's palace in Dallas on Sunday night. Not sure why, but I like the Eagles in this venue. Maybe it's the fast track, but the Eagles get the win and earn a split against the Cowboys.

Weeks 10 and 11 will be stat-padding-type days as the Birds welcome in Miami and Tampa Bay. I'm becoming a fan of Ryan Tannehill and I'd rather see Jameis Winston in Week 5 as opposed to Week 11, but these two contests should be 7-point wins or better. Kelly will have the city loving life at 8-2.

Here is where things get sketchy. Thanksgiving Day is a coin flip for me. I don't like Matthew Stafford. Detroit can be flaky at times. I will go with the Lions in this spot behind a late Calvin Johnson touchdown.

Week 13 will involve a visit to Foxboro, as the Eagles face the defending Super Bowl champions on the first Sunday in December. New England has Tom Brady. How about that for analysis? Loss. That's two defeats in a row. Now, 8-4. Is it time to panic?

That's four losses in a row, from 8-2 to 8-6. Are we on the verge of another collapse after a hot start?

As Aaron Rodgers said, "r-e-l-a-x." The Eagles will win in Weeks 16 and 17 against Washington and the Giants, completing a season sweep of the Redskins and getting revenge at the Meadowlands against the New York Giants. That will cap a third consecutive 10-win season and, this time, cement a wild-card berth.

I'm expecting a much more competitive NFC East in 2015, with Dallas going 11-5; Philadelphia, 10-6; and New York, 9-7. Green Bay will take the North, Atlanta will wrap up the South, and Seattle will secure the West. The Eagles and Cardinals will be wild cards, with New York, Detroit and St. Louis being left out after being in the hunt.

Kelly will get a second crack at his first playoff win. Time will tell if that happens. And I reserve the right to alter my 10-6 prediction depending on how next Thursday's NFL draft plays out.