Eagles Schedule Release: 5 Instant Takeaways from Full Reveal
The Philadelphia Eagles now know how they'll have to prepare for each week of the 2023 season after their full schedule was revealed on Thursday.
Highlighted by a Super Bowl rematch with the Kansas City Chiefs, a NFC title rematch with the San Francisco 49ers, two always-juicy matchups with the Dallas Cowboys and a battle with the Buffalo Bills on Black Friday, here are five early takeaways from Philly's 2023 slate of games:
1. The Eagles could take advantage of early-season slate
The 2023 schedule is hardly a cakewalk for the defending NFC champs, but the beginning of the season offers some opportunities for a hot start similar to last year. The Eagles will take on an unpredictable Patriots team on the road in Week 1 before hosting the Minnesota Vikings in prime time in Week 2, who were stomped 24-7 on Monday Night Football in Week 2 of last season.
Visits with the Tampa Bay Bucs and Los Angeles Rams is separated by a Week 4 home game against the Washington Commanders. All three of these teams have question marks entering the year, as the Eagles will likely be favored in each of their first five matchups. A 5-0 start is quite reasonable headed into a meeting at MetLife with Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets in Week 6.
2. Philly plays on three holidays
The Eagles will be quite active during the upcoming holiday season. Despite missing out on making into the Thanksgiving slate of games, Philly will host the Buffalo Bills a day later on Black Friday. Later in December, the Eagles will have two more home holiday games on Christmas Day against the New York Giants and on New Year's Eve against the Arizona Cardinals.
3. Eagles have brutal five-game stretch late in year
You might as well hand the Eagles the Lombardi Trophy if they come out of Weeks 9 through 15 unscathed. Philly hosts the Cowboys in Week 9 before a bye in Week 10. The bye is perfectly placed considering what comes after this point, as the Eagles will then play at the Chiefs, vs. the Bills, vs. the 49ers, at the Cowboys and at the Seahawks.
This stretch will define Philly's season. Anything that happens before Week 9 could be considered pointless based on what the Eagles will have to prove afterwards.
4. Eagles have same amount of prime-time games as last year
Philly has two Monday Night Football and Sunday Night Football spots and one Thursday night appearance, bringing the prime-time total to five. The Eagles had five such appearances last season as well.
5. Week 14 at Dallas could tip the NFC East scales
The Eagles and Cowboys met in Week 16 last season, as Dallas prevailed for a thrilling win in a game it needed to have. The win ultimately meant little after the Cowboys stumbled their way out of the regular season while the Eagles were able to clinch the division without much worry.
The two will battle late in the year again. And even though the second meeting is two weeks earlier than the one last season, the game could heavily determine who wins the East in a race that is expected to be tight once again.
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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