Here is a breakdown and analysis of the Philadelphia Eagles 2017 NFL schedule.
The NFL announced the entire 17-week schedule for the 2017 season, which obviously included the Philadelphia Eagles. 2016 was a rebuilding year for the Eagles, finishing 7-9 with their rookie quarterback, Carson Wentz.
Wentz was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and the Eagles first franchise quarterback since Donovan McNabb. The former North Dakota State Bison started all 16 games for the Eagles in 2016. It was an up and down year for the Eagles, but a step in the right direction.
They head into 2017 with a full head of steam and a second-year quarterback ready to show he's progressed. The Eagles attacked free agency, signing wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith. After the 2017 NFL Draft, they will have added more pieces to their complicated puzzle as they try to win their first Super Bowl in team history.
Philadelphia may not be a Super Bowl contender in 2017, but they will have a solid team that could sneak its way into the playoffs. They also seem to be a team to watch because the NFL schedule release says so. The Eagles play five primetime games in 2017, with two Sunday Night Football Games, two Monday Night Football games, and one Thursday Night football game. Here is a breakdown of the Philadelphia Eagles entire 17-week schedule and analysis as well.
Feb 22, 2017; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers addresses the media at press conference at the StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 1-4
Week 1: at Washington Redskins (Sept. 10, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs (Sept. 17, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 3: vs. New York Giants (Sept. 24, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 4: at Los Angeles Chargers (Oct. 1, 4:05 PM ET)
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The Eagles kick off with a Week 1 matchup on the road against the Washington Redskins. The first game of the season is always intriguing, but it makes it that much better when it is against a division rival. However, the Eagles Week 2 game is more intriguing than Week 1. The Birds travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs and their former head coach Andy Reid. It is always a spectacle when talking about Reid and the Eagles, but now that his former offensive coordinator and quarterback Doug Pederson is the head man in Philly; it will be a game that you want to watch.
Week 3 will be the Eagles first home game, which is a tough draw. Not playing at home the first two games of the season will be tough, but then having your home opener against the New York Giants just adds to the toughness. On paper, New York seems to be a Super Bowl contender, so that will be a tough game in Philadelphia. The first three games of the season all kickoff at 1:00 PM ET.
Week 4 is the first game of the year for the Eagles not to start at 1:00, as this one starts at 4:05 p.m. ET. The game will be in Los Angeles against the Philip Rivers led Chargers. So, the first four weeks of the season start with two NFC East Teams and two AFC West teams.
Nov 3, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; The set of NBC's Thursday Night Football sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken is on the field before a football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 5-8
Week 5: vs. Arizona Cardinals (Oct. 8, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 6: at Carolina Panthers (Thursday Night Football, Oct. 12, 8:25 PM ET)
Week 7: vs. Washington Redskins (Monday Night Football, Oct. 23, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 8: vs. San Francisco 49ers (Oct. 29, 1:00 PM ET)
After a Week 4 trip to L.A., the Eagles return home in Week 5 to take on the Arizona Cardinals. It will be the only the Eagles second home game in their first five weeks, and then they are back on the road again in Week 6. Philly travels to Carolina to take on the Panthers and 2015 NFL MVP, quarterback Cam Newton.
Week 6 will be their first primetime game, playing the Panthers and Newton on Thursday Night Football. It remains to be seen if Newton can return to his MVP form in 2017, but regardless, it should be a tough game. Playing on Thursday night gives you an advantage heading into the next week because you have three extra days to prepare for your next opponent. And luckily for the Eagles, their Week 7 game is on Monday Night Football, at home. So they will have nine days to prepare for the Washington Redskins, which is a distinct advantage.
After their two primetime games, the Eagles have the San Francisco 49ers traveling to Philly. This game would have been more exciting had former head coach Chip Kelly still been the head man in San Fran, but he got axed after just one season.
Oct 30, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) meet with Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) after the game at AT&T Stadium. Dallas Cowboys won 29-23. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 9-13
Week 9: vs. Denver Broncos (Nov. 5, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 10: Bye Week
Week 11: at Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football, Nov. 19, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 12: vs. Chicago Bears (Nov. 26, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 13: at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday Night Football, Dec. 3, 8:30 PM ET)
After back-to-back home games, the Eagles follow that up with their third home game in a row. They take on the Denver Broncos in Week 9. This game will be a big test for Wentz and the Philly offense as they take on one of the best defenses in the NFL. Luckily for the Eagles, after a tough game against the Broncos, they have their bye in Week 10. They will need the rest because they come back in Week 11 to take on the defending NFC East champion Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys and Eagles are always going to be a game you want to watch. Obviously, the NFL is aware of this, so we will get to watch Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott take on Wentz and the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. Philly catches another break after playing Dallas, because the Chicago Bears come to town in Week 12. Chicago hasn't been too good as of late and they shouldn't be much better in 2017.
The scheduling luck runs out, however, in Week 13. Philadelphia travels across the country to take on the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is known for their elite defense, and it will be another big test for Wentz and the Philly offense.
Dec 24, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders fan Mark Acasio aka Gorilla Rilla wears a Santa Claus costume during a NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Weeks 14-17
Week 14: at Los Angeles Rams (Dec. 10, 4:25 PM ET)
Week 15: at New York Giants (Dec. 17, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 16: vs. Oakland Raiders (Monday Night Football, Dec. 25, 8:30 PM ET)
Week 17: vs. Dallas Cowboys (Dec. 31, 1:00 PM ET)
Week 15 certainly won't be an easy game for the Eagles. They travel to New Jersey to take on the New York Giants. I talked earlier about the Giants Super Bowl caliber team, and this game will be pivotal for both teams. It is likely the Eagles will be fighting to make the playoffs so a win over a great team in Week 15 could do wonders for their season because the Eagles follow their Week 15 game up with a Christmas Night game against the Oakland Raiders, at home.
The Raiders are a dominant team and had they not lost their quarterback Derek Carr last season before the playoffs; they could have made a deep playoff run. It will be a tough game for the Eagles, but the game is on Monday Night Football so they could have some extra motivation to play great.
Week 17 is another home game, but probably the biggest one of the season. If the Eagles are going to make the playoffs, it is likely going to come down to their final game of the season against the Cowboys. Surprisingly this game isn't a primetime game, because it is going to be a huge game for both teams in my opinion.
