By David Weinberg
The announcement of the Eagles’ schedule is almost an event unto itself.
Their opponents have been known for months, but fans have been anxiously waiting to see the exact dates in order to plan some road trips to see the Birds. This year’s slate of games includes visits to inviting locales like Tampa Bay (September 25), Los Angeles (October 8) and Seattle (December 17). All three are among the top NFL towns to hit, given they have cool stadiums and plenty of stuff to do before and after the game.
Personally, I would always look forward to going to Seattle. The Seahawks’ stadium, now called Lumen Field, has a unique design and is always loud. The visit to the Space Needle is a must, as is Pike Place Market and the original Starbucks a few blocks away. The only downside is the rainy weather in the Pacific Northwest.
Although the season is still four months away, it looks like the Eagles will have a chance to build some early momentum while facing a tough stretch run against a challenging set of opponents.
Last season’s NFC East title means a first-place schedule this season. Their 2023 opponents sported a combined record of 161-123-4. It’s especially daunting in weeks nine through 14 with games against the Cowboys (12-5), Chiefs (14-3), Bills (13-3), 49ers (13-4) and Cowboys again.
Of course, it’s way too early to make predictions. I haven’t even taken my first dip in the ocean yet, not to mention started our annual summer Margarita Tour of Cape May-area establishments. But it’s always neat to do it, anyway. So here, without further adieu, is my unofficial, strictly-for-fun, game-by-game breakdown of the Eagles’ schedule. As always, I reserve the right to alter my predictions later in the year. But as of right now, I think they’ll be in the hunt for a second straight trip to the Super Bowl.
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at New England Patriots (4:25 p.m.): The Patriots will be honoring Tom Brady. The Eagles take part by re-creating “Philly Special.” Tight end Dallas Goedert throws a TD pass to quarterback Jalen Hurts. (WIN)
Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 14, vs. Minnesota Vikings (8:15 p.m.) – The Eagles’ home opener comes on a Thursday night. Good news for fans who can still head to the Jersey Shore for the weekend. The Birds dominated them last season in Week 2 and I sense a repeat. (WIN).
Week 3: Monday, Sept. 25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7:15 p.m.) – It’s usually brutally hot in Tampa this time of year and the Bucs will also bring some unexpected heat. New quarterback Baker Mayfield throws two TD passes in a Tampa upset. (LOSS).
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1 vs. Washington Commanders (1 p.m.) – One of only two 1 p.m. games tentatively on the schedule. That’s the price for reaching the Super Bowl. Commanders defensive end Abdullah Anderson (Absegami High School grad) gets two sacks, but Eagles prevail. (WIN).
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 8 at Los Angeles Rams (4:05 p.m.) – Angels outfielder Mike Trout (Millville), an Eagles season-ticketholder, gets to watch his favorite football team in action while getting ready for his first playoff appearance since 2014. (WIN)
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15 at N.Y. Jets (4:25 p.m.) – New Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers burns the Eagles’ secondary with three TD passes, but pulls a calf muscle trying to do a Lambeau Leap at MetLife Stadium. (LOSS).
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22 vs. Miami Dolphins (8:20 p.m.) – New Eagles running back DeAndre Swift rushes for 150 yards. Haason Reddick gets three sacks. (WIN).
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29 at Washington Commanders (1 p.m.) – The Eagles oversleep because they’re not used to playing at 1 p.m. They don’t wake up until the third quarter. The score is still 0-0, but Commanders score late to win it. (LOSS).
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5 vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m.) – Eagles rookie edge rusher Nolan Smith gets two sacks against Dak Prescott. Cornerback James Bradberry returns one of Prescott’s three interceptions for a touchdown. (WIN)
Week 10: Bye Week
Week 11: Monday, Nov. 20 at Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 p.m.) – Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (Vineland) runs for 100 yards and two TDs. Tight end Travis Kelce catches two TD passes, prompting his brother, Eagles center Jason Kelce, to ban him from the family summer home in Sea Isle City. (LOSS)
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26 vs. Buffalo Bills (4:25 p.m.) – Buffalo decides to wing it. Bills quarterback Josh Allen throws for three TDs. (LOSS)
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3 vs. San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m.) – 49ers can’t blame this one on Brock Purdy injury. Hurts throws for four TDs in dominant win. (WIN).
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10 at Dallas Cowboys (8:20 p.m.) – Cowboys rely on their defense to get a split with the Eagles. Micah Parsons has three sacks, including a scoop and score. (LOSS).
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 17 at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m.) – Eagles running back Rashaad Penny burns his former team with 125 yards and two TDs. Seattle’s famous “12th Man” fans are drowned out by Eagles’ fans. (WIN)
Week 16: Monday, Dec. 25, New York Giants (4:30 p.m.) – Santa Claus takes the field at halftime and is pelted with snowballs. Backup quarterback Marcus Mariota throws for 250 yards and two TDs and celebrates the win by shouting “Merry Christmas, Philadelphia!” (WIN)
Week 17 – Sunday, Dec. 31 vs. Arizona Cardinals (1 p.m.) – Kyler Murray throws two TD passes to ex-Eagle Zach Ertz, but Eagles clinch NFC East title. (WIN)
Week 18 – TBD, at New York Giants (TBD) – Eagles rest most of their starters in a meaningless finale. The Giants capitalize with a victory and earn a wildcard spot. (LOSS)
Final record: 10-7 (first place in NFC East).
Sixers’ big players
come up small
The 76ers haven’t been to the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001.
That disappointing streak was extended for yet another year last Sunday, when the Sixers suffered a 112-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 7 of the conference semifinals.
It wasn’t hard to figure out what went wrong. Fans want to blame coach Doc Rivers, but big games like that come down to leadership and the Sixers’ two big stars – regular-season MVP Joel Embiid and James Harden – disappeared while Celtics standout Jayson Tatum rose to the challenge with 51 points.
The loss is going to make for an interesting offseason. The Sixers have to decide whether to keep Rivers and/or Harden. But more importantly, they need to weigh Embiid’s future. He’s unquestionably one of the best players in the league, but has yet to carry the team deep into the playoffs.
