Could the Patriots pull off the huge upset against the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles?

The Philadelphia Eagles come to town in what should be a stormy afternoon in Foxboro. Will that be an advantage for the Patriots?

The Patriots could use as much help as they can get in facing off against the NFC Champions. It is a tough test right out of the gate for the Patriots. If the Patriots were at full strength, the road to victory would be riddled with potholes and land mines. The Pats are not 100% healthy with wide receiver DeVante Parker and corner back Jack Jones already ruled out. The Eagles are. However, the Eagles rested their starters in the preseason so they could come out rusty and sloppy, especially with the weather conditions.

I’m trying here, folks. How about a Super Bowl hangover for the Eagles? History has not been kind to Super Bowl losers this past decade. So maybe the Patriots have that going in their favor. Heck, even the Super Bowl champs last year, the Kansas City Chiefs, lost to the Detroit Lions in the season opener on Thursday in Kansas City. Are the Patriots as good as the Lions? Probably not.

I foresee a low scoring game between the Eagles and Patriots. I would have said that before the weather forecast came out. I am even more confident about that now. When there are not many points on the scoreboard, there is little margin for error for the victors. Any mistake by the Eagles could open up an opportunity for the Patriots to pull off an upset. I can very easily foresee the New England defense scoring a touchdown, be it a pick six or a strip sack returned for a TD. Will it be enough? Can the Patriots’ offense play mistake free and score a touchdown of their own?

As you can see, I’ve been trying to convince myself the Patriots can pull this off. I've been trying real hard. I can see the Patriots’ D stepping up and announcing their arrival as one of the top defenses in the NFL. They just have to look across the field to see their competition for top defense in the NFL.

This game will come down, as it often does, to the trenches. More specifically, the game boils down to the Patriots’ offensive line and the Eagles’ offensive line. The Eagles’ offensive line is the best in the NFL and they are best equipped to handle, or at least slow down, the Patriots’ talented defensive front seven. I can’t see the Patriots’ banged up O-line giving Mac Jones time to throw or opening holes for Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliot to run. The offense will be hard pressed to score more than one touchdown and I am not confident in rookie kicker Chad Ryland converting on more than a chip shot field goal in his first game in the NFL under horrible weather conditions. Welcome to New England! He better learn quick how to kick in these elements.

The Eagles offense is too good. A win for the Patriots’ defense will be to hold Philadelphia to two touchdowns. It will be one too many.

Eagles win, 17-13, with Ryland missing an extra point.