FOOTBALL IS BACK…kind of? Okay so we may be what feels like lightyears away from an actual game, but the preseason schedules were released this afternoon. Here’s everything you need to know.
The #Eagles 2018 preseason opponents are set. #FlyEaglesFly
More details: https://t.co/lywYEUd5qb pic.twitter.com/XBuGP6EOpJ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 11, 2018
The Eagles open up their preseason with a home game against their local rivals. The last time these two clashed in the preseason, Landry Jones did Landry Jones things. In the regular season however, their fates have a very different path, with the Eagles storming to a dominant win in week 3 of 2016. Doug Pederson loves competition and instils it from the moment OTA’s begin. There’s nothing like a local showdown to really get your players fired up.
Week 2 may be the most interesting matchup of all. A Super Bowl 52 rematch in New England will see the reigning champions face the Patriots for the second time in 12 months. With the taste of a Super Bowl defeat fresh in their mouths, can the Pats climb back or will it be Nick Foles wreaking havoc yet again? This will be a very fun game to watch, make no mistake.
A rare preseason matchup against the Browns lies in week 3. The two last met in the season opener of 2016, where Carson Wentz first showed the world exactly what he’s made of. It will be interesting to see how the Browns look on the field, considering the amount of draft ammunition they currently have.
And finally, the Eagles end their preseason against the Jets. This game has become a staple in preseason, with the teams having clashed for 18 consecutive finales in a row. The Jets had the last laugh in 2017, but it was the Eagles who had that luxury one year earlier. In game 3 of the Doug Pederson preseason era, who will reign supreme?
Preseason is also a chance for rookies to strut their stuff. With such a deep draft and several options for the Eagles, we could see some lower round draft picks, or underdogs from a previous years such as Joe Walker, Destiny Vaeao and Donnel Pumphrey take flight.
Preseason is always a fun time of year, with many players battling for their NFL future’s we can always expect the unexpected and the Eagles to keep things close. The clock is ticking and Football is nearing.
Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
