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There’s nothing glaringly unusual to help if adjustments are needed — such as scheduling NFC vs. AFC games for the first four weeks. Instead, there are nine division games across the league on Week 1, which includes the Eagles visiting the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Sept. 13.
It looks fairly normal because the NFL continues to plan for a full season that will start on time and end on Feb. 7 in Tampa Bay with Super Bowl LV.
“Is there another schedule that might be out there? Or this is about it — and we’ll adjust off of what we’re seeing here tonight?” NFL Network host Rich Eisen asked NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, and former Eagles cornerback, Troy Vincent.
“No,” Vincent said. “This is it.”
Before the schedule was released, California Gov. Gavin Newsom was asked if he’s comfortable with games happening without fans if players can get enough testing. Newsom sounded very skeptical about the concept in his response.
“It’s difficult to imagine a stadium that’s filled until we have immunity, until we have a vaccine. It’s difficult for me to imagine what the league — broadly, leagues — do when one or two of their key personnel or players are tested positive,” he said. “Do they quarantine the rest of the team if an offensive lineman is practicing with a defensive lineman, and they tested positive? What happens to the rest of the line? What happens for the game coming up next weekend? It’s inconceivable to me that that’s not a likely scenario, so it’s a very challenging question you’re asking.”
Newsom said he understands the importance sports hold with people, but thinks the leagues need to “be very, very sensitive” to the areas they operate out of.
After opening at the Redskins (fans have noted that’s where the Birds opened the season they won Super Bowl LII), the Eagles have two home games in a row — one against Jared Goff and the Rams, and the other versus the Cincinnati Bengals. To many, the first three games are favorable for the Eagles — with the caveat that Los Angeles might be a challenge.
Then, it’s three straight home games before the Week 9 bye — the Ravens, the Giants and the Cowboys. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had the best record in the NFL last year before being upset in the playoffs. The Giants aren’t expected to be good, but NFC East games can never be taken for granted. The Cowboys and the Eagles should be the top two teams in the NFC East, making that Nov. 1 Sunday-night tussle at the Linc no walk in the park. Good thing for the Eagles: The Oct. 22 game against New York is a Thursday-night game, leaving extra time to prepare for Week 8 against the Cowboys.
After the bye week, the Eagles are at the Giants and Browns to start. But they have only three more home games scheduled after that — in addition to three straight against very difficult opponents: Seattle, Green Bay and New Orleans. In others words: Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees.
“If the season goes off on time and plays out over the course of those 17 weeks, that’s really gonna kinda be make or break,” Didinger said.
Didinger noted that the Seahawks play very well in prime time, and this will be a Monday-night game at the Linc. Also, according to Didigner, author of multiple Eagles Encyclopedias, the Eagles have never played at the Packers in December, which is fascinating. The Saints are always a tough out.
After that brutal stretch, the Eagles will visit what Didinger thinks will be an improved Arizona Cardinals team in Week 15 before heading to Dallas for Week 16.
“I think that the Eagles and the Cowboys are, once again, the class of their division. And I kind of have a feeling the division is gonna come down to that Dec. 27 game — Eagles at the Cowboys down in Dallas. I still think it’s gonna come down to that. It usually does, and I don’t think this year will be any different.”
As of now, there are more questions to address than how the Eagles will do. If they’ll actually be able to play these games, will fans be allowed in the stadium? And if not, how will that affect home-field advantage for teams like the Eagles that have tremendous fan support?
Despite the questions, the NFL has the luxury of time — four months and two days — until Thursday, Sept. 10, when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans.