The start of the NFL season is just a little bit closer.. On paper, the Eagles will face the third easiest schedule in football this year based on last year’s results.
Let’s take a look at who the Eagles will be playing in year two of the Sirianni/Hurts era.
Week 1: @ Detroit Lions – 1pm – ET
The Eagles have won five of the last six season openers with this being the first time they will not be opening against Atlanta or Washington since 2016. Detroit is coming off 3-13-1 and drafted Aiden Hutchinson with the second overall pick.
Week 2: vs. Minnesota Vikings – 8:00pm – MNF
Philadelphia’s first primetime game of the year is against a familiar foe. Kirk Cousins is 9-17 in Primetime games and 1-9 on Monday Night Football. The Eagles first home game of the year will allow the fans to get their first look at AJ Brown, Nakobe Dean and the new look Eagles defense.
Week 3: @ Washington Commanders – 1pm – ET
Carson Wentz vs. Jalen Hurts. Nothing much more to say here.
Week 4: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 1pm – ET
Back-to-back weeks see the Eagles facing a former cornerstone of the franchise. This time it’s Doug Pederson returning to Philadelphia for the first time since his firing at the end of the 2020 season. Whatever you think about Doug’s firing, I think it’s fair to say he’s going to have one of the loudest ovations in Philadelphia sports history.
Week 5: @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:25pm – ET
DeAndre Hopkins’suspension will still be in effect when the Eagles go back to Arizona. The Cardinals have historically started the season very fast over the last few years under Kliff Kingsbury, but trail off at the end of the year. Without Hopkins, and a controversy brewing with QB, Kyler Murray, the Cardinals may not be as strong out of the gate as they have been.
Week 6: vs. Dallas Cowboys – 8:20 – SNF
Any time the Cowboys and Eagles get together you know the tension will be through the roof. Dallas dominated the NFC East last year and the Eagles in both matchups. With the loss of Amari Cooper and several other key free agents, the Eagles might be in an excellent spot to take the next step against their division rivals.
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 1pm – ET
The first year without Ben Roethlisberger for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Eagles will, in theory, face off against a rookie QB in Kenny Pickett. The last time the team faced a rookie QB, they tied Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020.
Week 9: @ Houston Texans – 8:00pm – TNF
The Eagles’lone Thursday Night game will be against the Houston Texans in the middle of the season. Lovie Smith was hired this past offseason after the Texans passed on Eagles DC, Jonathan Gannon. Philadelphia will also get a look at the #1 overall pick in Travon Walker as well.
Week 10: vs. Washington Commanders – 8:20pm – MNF
Carson Wentz makes his return to Philadelphia for the first time after being traded after the 2020 season. Safe to say the Eagles have been quite all right since the trade, but it will give the Eagles the ability to play their third divisional game before the month of December. Will the Eagle faithful boo Wentz?
Week 11: @ Indianapolis Colts – 1pm – ET
Eagles open up their toughest three-game stretch. It’s well=documented how difficult Matt Ryan has had it in Philadelphia, but he is a much better QB in a dome and at home against his hometown team. It’s Ryan’s first season with the Colts but they have a loaded squad all across the roster.
Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers – 8:20pm – SNF
The Green Bay Packers have been the #1 seed in the NFC Playoffs for back-to-back years. Without Devante Adams, but a loaded defense, the Packers could look much different than they have in recent years. It will be an excellent test for Jonathan Gannon’s scheme, and his ability to make adjustments as a DC?
Week 13: vs. Tennessee Titans – 1pm – ET
AJ Brown makes his first appearance against his former team. The Titans will have major shoes to fill after a disappointing end to their season last year as the #1 seed in the AFC. This could be the most physical matchup of the season for the Eagles.
Week 14: @ New York Giants – 1pm – ET
The first meeting between the Eagles and Giants. The G-Men have a new coach, a new GM and seemingly, a new direction to the franchise. The Giants front seven on defense, and their offensive line have improved, but their secondary will be the question mark of the year.
Week 15: @ Chicago Bears – 1pm – ET
Justin Fields drew comparisons to Donovan McNabb throughout his rookie process. It’s the first time Eagle fans will be able to see if that is a fair comparison this season. The weather could also play a factor with it being a December game in Soldier Field. Buckle Up!
Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys – 4:25pm – Christmas Eve.
Eagles will get their biggest rival on a short week. Go figure. This game could have both playoff and divisional championship possibilities for this. The last time the Eagles played the Cowboys on the Christmas holiday? 2006 with Jeff Garcia clinching the NFC East. Could we see it again?
Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints – 1pm – ET
Major playoff seeding implications here. The Saints will be without both Sean Payton and Drew Brees now. Are Dennis Allen and Jameis Winston able to keep up the level of dependable play? The Saints missed the playoffs last season but also dealt with an avalanche of injuries. Having this game in the cold Philly weather in December will help tremendously.
Week 18 vs. New York Giants – TBD
The Eagles playoff hopes could already have been decided as they close out the year against the rebuilding Giants. It helps that they’ve won the last eight home games against the Giants. Remember when the Giants had a winning all-time record against the Eagles? Good times.
Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire
