The NFL will be announcing their 2020 Schedule on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST., an event that without question will feel different this year do the COVID-19 outbreak, but is still a sign that football is (hopefully) getting closer to returning.
Although we don't know the Eagles schedule, we do know their 2020 slate of opponents is a tough one. The Eagles will be facing six playoff teams from last season, as the winners of the NFC East, they will be facing two division winners — plus, a matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, a team Doug Pederson has never beaten.
The Eagles won't get much of a say in how their schedule comes out, but if they could, here is how I think they would put together their perfect slate of games:
Week 1: Home vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Win, 1-0)
Getting rookie quarterback Joe Burrow in his first NFL start and opening at home would be ideal for the Eagles.
Week 2: At Washington Redskins (Win, 2-0)
Coming off of two-straight seasons where they have struggled out of the gate, stacking wins early feels important for the Eagles. Getting the worst team in the division, and team DeSean Jackson really shined against last season, is a great Week 2 matchup — plus it prevents the Eagles from having to go to FedEx Field later in the year.
Week 3: At Pittsburgh Steelers (Win, 3-0)
The Eagles schedule projects as being a tough one, so there aren't many easy-wins outside of the division on the schedule. The Steelers are a tough matchup, but at least it is a short road trip.
Week 4: Home vs. Los Angeles Rams (Win, 4-0)
The Eagles have owned the Rams during the Doug Pederson era. This would be a nice early-season win for the Eagles.
Week 5: At Green Bay Packers (Loss, 4-1)
It is better to go to Green Bay early on, when the weather is still nice, than having to deal with the bitter cold later on.
Week 6: Home vs. Baltimore Ravens (Loss, 4-2)
The Eagles have spent all offseason trying to make their defense faster. They will need it against the Baltimore Ravens. The good news is the Eagles spent a week of training camp practicing against them this past season.
Week 7: At Cleveland Browns (Win, 5-2)
The weather in Cleveland isn't as bad as it is in Green Bay, still good to get there earlier rather than later. Plus, Week 7 is right around when the Browns should be falling apart.
Week 8: At San Francisco 49ers (Loss, 5-3)
A cross-country trip against the best team in the NFC. There really isn't any good week for this game to fall.
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10: Home vs. New York Giants (Win, 6-3)
An easy win coming out of the Bye Week, since they will likely be coming off of a loss against San Francisco.
Week 11: At Arizona Cardinals (Win, 7-3)
The Cardinals could surprise some teams next season and seemed primed for a hot start to the year. Getting them later on, when they have hopefully started to fall apart, is ideal.
Week 12: Home vs. New Orleans Saints (Loss, 7-4)
Like the 49ers, there isn't an ideal time to play a Saints team that has owned Pederson and the Eagles. At least by Week 12 it should be cold in Philadelphia.
Week 13: At Dallas Cowboys (Loss, 7-5)
It is almost a lock that the Eagles' trip to Dallas will be one of their primetime games. The later on in the year it is the more time it gives the Eagles new pieces on defense and young players on offense to gel.
Week 14: Home vs. Seattle Seahawks (Loss, 7-6)
A playoff rematch in December in Philadelphia.
Week 15: At New York Giants (Win, 8-6)
The Eagles used a late-season stretch of games against the NFC East to capture the division crown. They will likely hope for the same stretch this season.
Week 16: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys (Win, 9-6)
Getting the Cowboys at home right before the end of the season is ideal.
Week 17: Home vs. Washington Redskins (Win, 10-6)
An easy win to end the season if the Eagles need it.
You can follow Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
