PHILADELPHIA -- The Eagles' 2024 schedule was released along with the rest of the NFL slate on Wednesday.
Former Giants running back Saquon Barkley makes his return to the New York area on Oct. 20 as the Eagles take on the G-Men at MetLife Stadium in what promises to be a spicy matchup. More drama could lie ahead if a playoff berth or postseason positioning is on the line when these teams square off again in the regular-season finale at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Eagles drew a Week 5 bye, which is never ideal. It'll be a long haul from mid-October until the end of season. The toughest stretch could be from Weeks 10 to 13 featuring road games against the Cowboys, Rams and Ravens. That is offset by a friendlier close to the season during which the Eagles play four of their last five at home.
Eagles 2024 regular-season schedule
Week 1: Sept. 6 vs. Green Bay (Brazil)
Week 2: Sept. 16 vs. Atlanta (MNF)
Week 3: Sept. 22 at New Orleans
Week 4: Sept. 29 at Tampa Bay
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Oct. 13 vs. Cleveland
Week 7: Oct. 20 at NY Giants
Week 8: Oct. 27 at Cincinnati
Week 9: Nov. 3 vs. Jacksonville (SNF)
Week 10: Nov. 10 at Dallas
Week 11: Nov. 14 vs. Washington (TNF)
Week 12: Nov. 24 at LA Rams (SNF)
Week 13: Dec. 1 at Baltimore
Week 14: Dec. 8 vs. Carolina
Week 15: Dec. 15 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 16: Dec. 22 at Washington
Week 17: Dec. 29 vs. Dallas
Week 18: Jan. 4 or 5 vs. NY Giants
Strength of schedule: Tied for 10th easiest
Over/under: 10.5 wins
Biggest takeaway
It's not quite the gauntlet of a season ago -- when the Eagles' schedule was the toughest in football, per ESPN analytics -- but the 2024 sked definitely has some teeth. They face six teams who made the playoffs last season in the Ravens, Cowboys, Bucs, Browns, Rams and Packers -- whom they'll open against in Brazil. There are also a few opponents on the docket that could bounce back this season, including the Bengals, the Jaguars and the Kirk Cousins-led Falcons. Coming off a late-season collapse, it's important for Philadelphia to get off to a strong start to build some confidence as it navigates a slate with little give.
Revenge game
In Week 4, the Eagles return to Tampa Bay, where their 2023 campaign came to an unceremonious end. The Bucs rolled over Philly 32-9 in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Dysfunction had fully set in by that point of the season and was evident by the Eagles' lackluster and disjointed performance on both sides of the ball that led to the team's sixth loss in seven games. There's no making up for a playoff loss in the regular season, but perhaps a win at Tampa Bay will serve as a marker that the Birds are back on track.
Bold prediction
The two games against the Giants will be must-see TV. This has been a lopsided series of late, with the Eagles winning 13 of the past 16 against New York. That has sucked some wind out of one the best rivalries in football. But the juice is back thanks to Barkley making the move from New York to Philly. It will be electric in both stadiums every time he touches the ball. Add in that the Giants' roster seems to be improved overall and you have the makings for a couple of spirited and competitive matchups between division foes.