Philadelphia Eagles (OVER 9)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: With the exception of 2005 (marred by the whole Terrell Owens soap opera), coach Andy Reid always seems to get the most of his team no matter who he sends out there. Philly is coming off a 10-6 year despite Donovan McNabb being out most of the year, and now McNabb is back. The Eagles also add receiver Kevin Curtis on offense and Montae Reagor on the defensive line and Takeo Spikes at linebacker, so it looks like they'll be competitive again and right around double-digit wins.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: The Eagles should start strong with games vs. the Packers, Redskins and Lions before going on the road at the Giants. After the bye, they have a challenging stretch with a return to the Meadowlands to face the Jets and then games vs. the Bears, Vikings and Cowboys. At the midpoint of the season, I have the Eagles at 6-2 though they'll still be on pace for 10 wins at 5-3. In the second half, I have the Eagles losing vs. the Patriots, Seahawks, Cowboys and Saints, but there's no reason they can't win one if not two of those as well if McNabb can stay healthy.

Sept. 9 at Green Bay        W    

Sept. 17 Washington            W

Sept. 23 Detroit         W

Sept. 30 at New York Giants     L

Oct. 7 BYE

Oct. 14 at New York Jets     L

Oct. 21 Chicago         W

Oct. 28 at Minnesota      W         

Nov. 4 Dallas           W

Nov. 11 at Washington     W           

Nov. 18 Miami          W

Nov. 25 x-at New England     L  

Dec. 2 Seattle           L

Dec. 9 New York Giants    W     

Dec. 16 at Dallas      L

Dec. 23 at New Orleans     L   

Dec. 30 Buffalo        W


Washington Redskins (UNDER 7.5)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The Redskins are coming off a 5-11 campaign and have spent money in the free-agent market (per usual) to get defensive help with linebacker London Fletcher and cornerback Fred Smoot and adding offensive lineman Jason Fabini, but the defense still doesn't have much in the way of a pass rush and the offense is still expected to struggle with quarterback Jason Campbell experiencing growing pains.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: The Redskins get to open at home vs. the Dolphins, so they have the chance to start with a win, and then after tough games vs. the Eagles and Giants, they get the Lions, Packers and Cardinals. So, they have four seemingly winnable games in their first six, though it might still be optimistic for them to have the three wins I give them. And then it gets decidedly tougher from there on out and it's possible they'll only be a favorite once in their last 10 games (the exception being Dec. 2 at home vs. the Bills).

Sept. 9 Miami          W

Sept. 17 at Philadelphia     L            

Sept. 23 New York Giants     L   

Sept. 30 BYE

Oct. 7 Detroit          W

Oct. 14 at Green Bay      L       

Oct. 21 Arizona       W

Oct. 28 at New England     L  

Nov. 4 at New York Jets      L   

Nov. 11 Philadelphia             L

Nov. 18 at Dallas        L

Nov. 25 at Tampa Bay     W       

Dec. 2 Buffalo          W

Dec. 6 Chicago         L

Dec. 16 x-at New York Giants    L            

Dec. 23 at Minnesota              L

Dec. 30 Dallas          W



New York Giants (lean OVER 8)
   CHANGES FROM LAST YEAR: The Giants started last season 6-2 but finished 8-8, and that looks right about what to expect from them this year. The loss of Tiki Barber hurts the offense, as does the loss of tackle Luke Petitgout. The defense should be solid (we'll see if Michael Strahan signs) but not dominant and looks like a .500 team, especially in a tough division, so I really can't recommended over or under.
   SCHEDULE ANALYSIS: After a hard opener at Dallas, the Giants get the Packers and Redskins before having to face the Eagles and Jets. It's a back-and-forth battle like that all season long, with the most notable scheduling dynamic being the Oct. 28 game vs. the Dolphins in London. They get a bye week after that, but then have to host the Cowboys, Lions and Vikings. I have all those as wins, but I'm not so sure they'll be that sharp after that long trip. There's no real precedence for this in the NFL.

Sept. 9 at Dallas        L