The 2017 NFL preseason schedule was announced moments ago on NFL Network..meaning that all four of the Eagles opponents have now been named.
The opponents are as follows:
Mark your calendars: the #Eagles 2017 preseason schedule has been announced. #FlyEaglesFly
Schedule: https://t.co/3r4I8uGv5d pic.twitter.com/HfZA4flGeR
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 10, 2017
For the second time in three years, the Eagles will face Green Bay in the opening week of preseason. The last time the two teams met in a preseason matchup, Sam Bradford torched the Packers in a dominant 39-26 win, exciting a lot of fans about the season ahead.
The Eagles then host former Eagle LeSean McCoy and the Buffalo Bills in week 2, before a second AFC East opponent int he Miami Dolphins, who will of course be bringing Byron Maxwell and Kiko Alonso back to the City of Brotherly Love. The game marks the first time that the Eagles will have faced the Miami Dolphins in preseason play since 1990.
The Birds’ round up their preseason against the New York Jets in what has become a staple in the teams preseason schedule. The Eagles and Jets have faced each other in the preseason finale for 17 consecutive seasons now..with last year’s game being a 14-6 win for the Eagles.
The one disappointing factor about the schedule is that none of the games will be shown on national television.
With so many roster battles unveiling throughout Training Camp, for many of these guys it’s their final chance to force their way onto the final roster and prove themselves worthy of a shot to their coaches. Destiny Vaeao was one of the standouts last year who would go on to earn significant playing time..something that would have also been the case for Aaron Grymes had he not suffered a shoulder injury.
Preseason is also a chance for rookies to strut their stuff. With such a deep draft and so many potential options for the Eagles, we could see some lower round draft picks..or even lower round picks from a year ago such as Joe Walker, look to spring a surprise or two in the first four competitive games of the year..four games in which the Eagles usually fare well.
The Eagles stormed to a 4-0 record in preseason last year which of course saw the breakout of Paul Turner. With Turner and 2015’s preseason hero, Rasheed Bailey, on the roster..who knows what kind of emotional rollercoaster we’re in for?!
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
