Two 3-game gauntlets highlight make-or-break stretches of the Eagles' 2025 season
Believe it or not, it hasn't even been four months since the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 59. Much has happened since then.
We've seen another NFL Scouting Combine and another round of Pro Days and Top 30 Visits. Free agency's frenzy came and went. The Birds added a ten-man draft class and a couple of handfuls of undrafted rookie free agents at the end of April.
Advertisement
Rookie minicamp is over and done with. Organized team activities come at the end of May and the beginning of June.
We've known who the Eagles' opponents will be during the 2025-26 NFL season for a while. Now, we know all of the dates and times of those matchups.
Two tough stretches will tell the tale of the 2025-26 Eagles regular-season campaign.
We've been teased with some early information about a handful of Philly's games. As promised, Wednesday's schedule release painted the entire picture.
Every game is important. No opponent can be taken for granted, and even though three tough challenges vs. the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Los Angeles Rams come in as many weeks to start the season, there will be time to rebound and refocus regardless of what happens.
Advertisement
Two stretches, however, will write Philly's finish and set them up for an all-important postseason run: Weeks 10-12 and Weeks 16-18.
Week 10 - Week 12
Green Bay Packers (AWAY) - November 10, 8:15 pm EST
Detroit Lions (HOME) - November 16, 8:20 pm EST
Dallas Cowboys (AWAY) - November 23, 4:25 pm EST
Philly's bye week came after four games in 2024, but it came late this time. The Birds get a break to relax and recover in Week 9. Then, things get tricky. They play two of their next three games on the road.
They face the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions in consecutive primetime matchups. That Monday Football affair vs. The Pack could get ugly.
In Week 12, they get their second date with Dallas, this time in Arlington. Philly has lost seven of the past eight meetings with their hated rivals there. Fortunately, the win came during the most recent meeting, so the tide could turn.
Week 16 - Week 18
Washington Commanders (AWAY) - December 20, 4:30 or 8:00 pm EST
Buffalo Bills (AWAY) - December 28, 4:25 pm EST
Washington Commanders (HOME) - TBD
Advertisement
Four of the Eagles' final five games last season were at home. The road game was their only loss during that stretch, one vs. the Washington Commanders. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
Philly refocused and wouldn't lose again in their final six games. Four came during the postseason. One of those games was against those same Commanders in the NFC Championship Game.
Three of the Eagles' final five games will be played on the road this time. Two clashes have been with those pesky Washington Commanders, sandwiching a road game vs. the defending AFC East-champion Buffalo Bills.
Pay close attention to Philly's performance. The Commanders represent their biggest roadblock to repeating as NFC East champions. These final three games could determine divisional superiority.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Two season-defining stretches may determine the Eagles' course in 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
They'll have an explosive offense again this season, but another trade could possibility give the Washington Commanders even more firepower.
They'll have an explosive offense again this season, but another trade could possibility give the Washington Commanders even more firepower. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders had a potent rushing attack last season en route to a 12-5 record and conference championship berth. That ground game was dominated by the dual-threat prowess of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, but the running backs also held their own. Advertisement Offensive coordinator guru Kliff Kingsbury has spoken highly of starter Brian Robinson Jr. as well as veteran contributor Austin Ekeler and returning pieces Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. He could be content rolling out this group again in 2025. The Commanders traded for Pro Bowl weapons as more help to other areas of the offense in left tackle Laremy Tunsil and versatile receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. They'll have an explosive offense again this season, but another trade could possibility add even more firepower. Jarrett Bailey of the Sporting News picks Washington as a logical trade partner with the Buffalo Bills for star running back James Cook. Advertisement Cook, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season (16), is in the midst of a contract dispute with the Bills front office. While Buffalo hasn't explicitly engaged in any trade talks, not paying their leading rusher after the Bills' other important pieces were re-signed this offseason raises some eyebrows about a potential divorce. Should both sides be interested, Bailey predicts the always active Washington GM Adam Peters to send Buffalo valuable draft capital in exchange for the ball carrier. WAS gets: RB James Cook, 2026 fourth-round pick BUF gets: 2026 third-round pick, 2026 sixth-round pick Advertisement This move could push the Commanders deeper into Super Bowl contention, but might greatly limit their flexibility for the future. Trading away a Day 2 NFL Draft pick would leave Washington with no Day 2 selections next year after sending one to Houston in the deal that brought in Tunsil. That comes after only picking five rookies in this year's Draft. While it makes sense to improve the roster as much as possible to maximize Daniels' cheap rookie contract, this aggressiveness is a major gamble with only one payoff: a Super Bowl title. If they don't win immediately? The Commanders would be pretty handcuffed in trying to keep that core together. Advertisement As crazy as it sounds, Washington might be better off holding onto their already slim draft capital because they may not need a guy like James Cook. If last season was any indication of the future, the Commanders are already in a Super Bowl window with the offense they currently have. While the Cook situation is intriguing to poke around at, it's safe to assume that Washington is comfortable with where they are offensively. Related: Commanders Trade For Trey Hendrickson Pitched By ESPN Related: Commanders' Kingsbury Offers Insight On Jayden Daniels' Bigger Physique This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Seth Rollins on why Caleb Williams will have better Year 2 than Jayden Daniels
Seth Rollins on why Caleb Williams will have better Year 2 than Jayden Daniels Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels will be compared for the duration of their NFL careers. The first and second overall picks, respectively, have all of the talent and potential to thrive and be the face of the league for the long term. But while Daniels had an easy-going rookie season -- en route to Offensive Rookie of the Year honors -- Williams dealt with adversity and still faces plenty of criticism after just one year. During a recent appearance on the "Up & Adams" show, WWE superstar (and noted Bears fan) Seth Rollins explained why he believes Williams will have a better 2025 season than Daniels. "I think Caleb Williams is going to have a better year," Rollins said. "I think last year was an aberration. I think you're going to see a little bit of a sophomore slump. I think people are going to be able to gameplan for (Jayden) better. ... I just think the second year is going to be more difficult. You look at C.J. had a great year, but compared to the rookie year, not quite as good. I think you're going to look at it and see a situation like that whereas expectations are going to be a little bit lower for Caleb, and I think he's going to be able to exceed those. Plus, he's playing in a system with Ben Johnson that's going to be curated better to him than what he was doing with Shane Waldron." While it's easy to deem Rollins a "superfan" defending "his" quarterback, he brings up a good point. A sophomore slump could potentially be in play for Daniels, who had a lights-out rookie season. Also, we haven't even glimpsed Williams' ceiling after his chaotic rookie season that featured incompetent coaching. Now with Ben Johnson in place, we should get a taste of what Williams can really bring to the field. There's no reason Williams and Daniels can't both be great -- and we could very well be witnessing the beginning of that -- but people love to compare and declare who's better. That's a question that wouldn't even be answered for several years. But with both Williams and Daniels in the NFC, they'll be seeing a lot of each other throughout their careers -- especially if their respective teams become perennial playoff teams. Williams and Daniels will square off again for the second time in as many seasons when the Commanders host the Bears on Monday Night Football in Week 6. While Williams nearly won the first match -- before Tyrique Stevenson's blunder on a Hail Mary -- he'll have a chance to redeem himself and even the series with Daniels on Oct. 13.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
How NFC Trade Helps Buccaneers' Super Bowl Hopes
How NFC Trade Helps Buccaneers' Super Bowl Hopes originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When the Philadelphia Eagles chose to trade edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers last week, the expectation was that there wouldn't be major shake-up among NFC contenders. Advertisement The reality, though, is that this move says a lot more about the NFC Playoff picture than originally perceived. And it's great news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Let's start with the defending champs. The Eagles have struggled mightily to beat the Buccaneers over the last few years. They also have a pass rush that has now seen four players from last season all find new homes (one of them did retire). The departure of Huff won't make things easier for Philly going forward. Then there is the 49ers. After a dismal six-win finish in 2024, the team said goodbye to several starters on the defensive end. While Huff was most productive under head coach turned defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, he still has major weaknesses against the run. Advertisement That kind of weakness shows the 49ers won't be very good against the run next season. ... Especially in Saleh's wide-nine approach. Both teams are expected to be contenders alongside the Buccaneers this season. The fact that the competition may have have taken major steps backward in their run defense is great news for Tampa Bay. ... Especially with a 1,000-yard runner in Bucky Irving already on the team. Tampa's rushing attack will make things very difficult for both Philly and San Fran, And it could fundamentally shift the balance of power in the conference going forward. Related: Baker Mayfield Shows Bucs Commitment With Major Life Move Related: Buccaneers Offensive Lineman Favored for NFL's New Protector of the Year Award This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 7, 2025, where it first appeared.
