5 thoughts on Eagles 2019 schedule
The official release of the NFL regular season schedule comes with much anticipation every year. Along with the start of OTAs and the NFL Draft just a week away, its release signals football season is right around the corner.
People can begin planning road trips, circling highly anticipated match-ups on their calendars, and of course go about the traditional "way too early" win-loss predictions.
What about the Eagles schedule specifically? The Eagles came in with the fourth easiest strength of schedule based off 2018 standings. Now that the order is known, here are five thoughts about the 2019 schedule.
Can they avoid another slow start?
It took three straight wins and help from the Bears Week 17 to get the Eagles in the playoffs last year. The near miss of the postseason at 9-7 was thanks in large part to a slow 2-3 start to the season.
Fourth quarter collapses in Tennessee and at home against the Panthers nearly had Philadelphia thinking "what could have been" about the 2018 season.
This year, they hope to avoid the same fate despite some tough scheduling early.
Three home games in the first five weeks will help but road tests Week 2 against the Falcons and Week 4 in Green Bay will test this team.
Then the three game road trip takes place as the Eagles head to Minnesota, Dallas, and Buffalo before returning home.
Wrapping up with an easier stretch
Normally ending the season with four straight division match-ups wouldn't be ideal. However in the NFC East where expectations are low for both New York and Washington, the Eagles having to play the Giants twice and Redskins once in the final four weeks is an advantage.
Add a trip to Miami the week before this NFC East stretch and that creates another opportunity for Philadelphia to get hot at the right time.
Star quarterbacks aplenty
There will be plenty of star-powered QB battles the NFL can market with the Eagles schedule.
Carson Wentz will try to out-duel some of the best the league has to offer including Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson.
Philadelphia will also have to take on both Matt Ryan and Matthew Stafford early in the season.
Wentz has outplayed some top-notch signal callers in his first three seasons, taking down Ben Roethlisberger his rookie year, Jared Goff in 2017, and Andrew Luck last year.
However, he hasn't quite had his signature, Nick Foles taking down Tom Brady in the Super Bowl-like moment yet.
Outshining elite quarterbacks like Brady, Rodgers, and Wilson could put Wentz back into the national spotlight. Not to mention silence a lot of doubts that he can't do what Foles did.
The Eagles defense will provide a tough test for young signal-callers
Sticking with QB, the Eagles defense could provide a tough challenge for a number of younger quarterbacks.
Depending on the outcome of next week's draft, the Eagles could be playing a first or second-year QB at least seven times.
Playing the AFC East, the Jets and Bills will head into the season with Sam Darnold and Josh Allen under center for year two.
While the Miami Dolphins have Ryan Fitzpatrick currently set to start, taking a QB in the first round is a very real possibility for the Fins.
Throw in the Giants and Redskins potentially replacing Eli Manning and Case Keenum with a rookie/Josh Rosen and that could leave Philadelphia with seven match-ups against young passers.
Teams will look for revenge against the Eagles
There will be plenty of teams this season hoping to get back at Philadelphia for a big loss suffered the past two seasons.
The Atlanta Falcons host the Eagles on prime-time football Week 2 and will be looking to avenge the back to back goal-line stands suffered by the hands of the Philadelphia defense.
While the Vikings got a victory in Philadelphia last season, the Eagles evidently took Minnesota's place yet again, grabbing the six-seed after a win and Vikings loss Week 17.
It is clear Minnesota has a sour taste in their mouth for Philadelphia.
When the Chicago Bears come to Lincoln Financial Field Week 9, the infamous "double doink" loss in the 2018 wild card round will still be fresh on their minds.
Then the big one. The rematch of Super Bowl 52 when Tom Brady and the New England Patriots come to town Week 11. Can Wentz replicate Foles's take-down of Brady?
Both sides will be motivated for that one.
Follow Louie on Twitter @DiBiaseLOE