The Philadelphia Eagles, defending Super Bowl champions, will be looking to have another strong season and make history by becoming the first team to win back-to-back NFL titles since the New England Patriots in 2004 and 2005. Here’s a look at their moves, their schedule and some of their most pressing issues before the regular season starts:
Moves
In terms of moves, the team has not changed much but it has added a few players worth pointing out, among them defensive end Michael Bennett, wide receiver Mike Wallace and defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and tight end Dallas Goedert who was picked 49th overall in this year’s NFL draft.
The Eagles also had some notable losses such as tight end Trey Burton, cornerback Patrick Robinson, who went to the New Orleans Saints and linebacker Mychal Kendricks.
Preseason Schedule
Their preseason schedule has the Eagles facing the Seahawks tomorrow in Week 1, then the New England Patriots in Week 2 on August 16, followed by the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 on August 23 and concluding with the New York Jets in Week 4 on August 30.
Regular Season Schedule
Week 1 — vs. Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 6 at 8:20 p.m.
Week 2 — at Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 16 at 1 p.m.
Week 3 — vs. Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m.
Week 4 — at Tennesee Titans on Sept. 30 at 1 p.m.
Week 5 — vs. Minnesota Vikings on Oct. 7 at 4:25 p.m.
Week 6 — at NY Giants on Oct. 11 at 8:20 p.m.
Week 7 — vs. Carolina Panthers on Oct. 21 at 1 p.m.
Week 8 — at Jacksonville Jaguars (in London) on Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.
Week 9 — BYE
Week 10 — vs. Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 11 at 8:20 p.m.
Week 11 — at New Orleans Saints on Nov. 18 at 1 p.m.
Week 12 — vs. NY Giants on Nov. 25 at 1 p.m.
Week 13 — vs. Washington Redskins on Dec. 3 at 8:15 p.m.
Week 14 — at Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 9 at 4:25 p.m.
Week 15 — at LA Rams on Dec. 16 at 8:20 p.m.
Week 16 — vs. Houston Texans on Dec. 23 at 1 p.m.
Week 17 — at Washington Redskins on Dec. 30 at 1 p.m.
Key Questions
-When will Carson Wentz return?
This is perhaps the main issue on the mind of every Eagle fan this season. Even though he is ahead of schedule in his recovery Wentz isn’t likely to play at all during the preseason as return date is still unclear. Instead, he’s most likely to start in Week 1 if he’s deemed fit enough to play.
-Are the Eagles deep enough at linebacker?
Nigel Bradham and Jordan Hicks, who is highly underrated, are very good players but that doesn’t hide the fact that the Eagles weakside linebacker spot that remains an issue at best as Corey Nelson, Nathan Gerry, and Kamu Grugier-Hilla are in a wide-open battle for that defensive role.
-Will there be a Super Bowl Hangover?
It’s really tough to repeat in the NFL, but some time teams struggle to even make the playoffs after winning the Super Bowl as proven by the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 and the Denver Broncos in 2016.
Although the Eagles may not struggle so much and miss the playoffs, they’re unlikely to repeat. Just in the last five years, two teams missed in the conference title games the next season (Seattle in 2014 and Patriots in 2015) one in the Super Bowl (also the Patriots, who lost last in this year’s Super Bowl after Bowl after defeating the Atlanta Falcons in the previous one).
The Eagles may not win the Super Bowl again this year, but they will most likely compete the entire year and reach the NFC title game. Perhaps they may not win 13 games, but it’s not hard to envision them winning at least 10 and claiming the NFC East title crown.
