With the Philadelphia Eagles officially taking the bottom spot in the 2020 NFC East (thanks to New York beating Dallas in Week 17), we now know all of their 2021 regular season opponents. Based on the league’s schedule structure, here’s an overview of the teams they will play.
HOME GAMES
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
San Francisco 49ers
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins
New York Giants
GAMES OUTSIDE
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Las Vegas Raiders
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Dallas Cowboys
Washington Redskins
New York Giants
UNCLEAR LOCATION
New York Jets
Specific dates and times will not be revealed until the NFL officially unveils its 2021 schedule in mid-April.
As mentioned earlier, the Eagles’ schedule is determined by a formula. They play against the three NFC East teams twice a season, which means six games. They also play an NFC division and an AFC division, which changes each year. In 2021, they are NFC South and AFC West, that is, eight more games. The Eagles then face the two teams from each of the other two NFC divisions that ended up in the same spot in their division as Philadelphia. That would be the 49ers at NFC West and the Lions at NFC North.
New in 2021, the NFL is expected to expand the season to 17 games. If / when this is officially approved, the Eagles’ extra opponent will be an AFC East team that finished in the same position in their division. So, the New York Jets. It is not exactly clear whether it will be a game at home or on the road, however.
The NFL is usually an annual league; there is a lot that can change from now until next season. With that said, here are some initial thoughts about the Eagles’ opponent in 2021.
- Only five of the Eagles’ 17 games will be against teams that made it to the 2021 playoffs. And two of those five are against an NFC East winner who had a losing record.
- Another game against Saints. 2021 will be the Eagles’ fourth game against New Orleans since November 2018.
- The Eagles will play their first match against Patrick Mahomes. Third encounter against Andy Reid since he left him in 2012. The Eagles are 0-2 against Reid so far.
- Having to face Justin Herbert in the second year can be a real challenge. It was very promising as a newbie.
- I wonder who the 49ers will be as a defender next year. Don’t think it will be Jimmy Garoppolo.
- Could the Broncos go for a run on Carson Wentz? I could see John Elway wanting to go after him.
- The Eagles will play their first game in Las Vegas. It will also be their first game against Jon Gruden since Matt Bryant hit a 62-yard field goal for the Bucs in 2006.
- The Eagles’ unbeaten record against the Jets (11-0) will be at stake again.