The Philadelphia Eagles 2009 schedule comes out at a crucial time, as the schedule is the least of Eagles’ fans concern. The loss of fan favorites like Brian Dawkins, the continued employment of Donovan McNabb, and no new receivers, has made Eagles fans chomp at the bit before the schedule begins. After another NFC championship game loss, and the Eagles getting another year older, the 2009 schedule may be one of the last precious chances left for the Super Bowl.
But the Eagles’ schedule may not be as favorable as fans want – even though when the Eagles usually get an easy first half of the schedule, they tank before making a furious rally in the second half. So perhaps the difficulty of the opening weeks will benefit the Eagles, or put them in a bigger hole than usual.
The Philadelphia Eagles begin the year against the NFC South and AFC West, before going through their NFC East rivals throughout the second half.
Week 1 – at Carolina Panthers: This could have been last year’s NFC championship game, if the Panthers didn’t hand Arizona the ball 20 times. The Eagles’ line and Donovan McNabb will be tested immediately by Julius Peppers and his crew.
Week 2 – vs New Orleans Saints: The Saints have a recent history of great running games against the Eagles, but that was with Deuce McAllister. With him gone, and with the Eagles actually hosting the Saints this time, it may be a little easier.
Week 3 – vs Kansas City Chiefs: The Eagles cannot trip up against the rebuilding Chiefs before an early bye.
Week 4 – BYE
Week 5 – vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The schedule now has 13 straight games, beginning with the Bucs, who gift wrapped a playoff berth for the Eagles last year.
Week 6 – at Oakland Raiders: The Eagles visit the second team that helped gift wrap them their playoff birth, and another one in the rebuilding phase. A slip up cannot occur before three straight division games.
Week 7 – at Washington Redskins: [Monday night] It would be nice if the Eagles could get more than a few first downs in Washington this year. A win against the constantly unpredictable Redskins wouldn’t hurt either
Week 8 – vs New York Giants: The Eagles beat the Giants in the playoffs last year, after constant Eagles killer Plaxico Burress went out for the year. With Burress gone for good, Philadelphia will try to repeat their luck.
Week 9 – vs Dallas Cowboys: [Sunday night] With Terrell Owens gone from Dallas, there is no longer any reason for Philadelphia to hate and despise the Cowboys. So Dallas should feel safe coming into Philadelphia without any extra protection.
Week 10 – at San Diego Chargers: Rare match up with the 8-8 AFC West champs, as Brian Westbrook and LaDanian Tomlinson meet in a battle of speedy, slightly older and injury prone running backs.
Week 11 – at Chicago Bears: [Sunday night] Another chance for the Eagles to get at least one yard on the Bears’ goal line. Will Jay Cutler have mastered the NFC well enough by then for it not to matter?
Week 12 – vs Washington Redskins: The Redskins should either be in the midst of a tank job after a fast start by now, or at the beginning of a long winning streak to get out of their early season hole.
Week 13 – at Atlanta Falcons: The Eagles pummeled rookie Matt Ryan last year, and will hope that he didn’t get any wiser in year two.
Week 14 – at New York Giants: [Sunday night] The Eagles try to avoid a third straight loss to the Giants on a Sunday night.
Week 15 – vs San Francisco 49’ers: Before the regular season starts, the 49’ers will likely be thought of as a team on the rise thanks to Mike Singletary. By this time, the Eagles should know if the hype was true, or if the 49’ers will be easy like always.
Week 16 – vs Denver Broncos: Eagles fans already have their Brian Dawkins jerseys framed, so they will be in mint condition when they wear them to welcome the new Bronco back.
Week 17 – at Dallas Cowboys: 44-6. Expect those numbers to be repeated a couple of hundred times, if the final game of the schedule means anything in the playoff picture.
Sources
Philadelphia Eagles- “2009 Schedule” www.philadelphiaeagles.com/gameday/schedule.html
