The Eagles’ 2018 schedule is out (click here) and my first impression is ... it’s not too bad. Let’s take a closer looks at the pros and cons.

PROS

• No better start to the season than opening at home as the defending Super Bowl champs. Lincoln Financial Field will certainly be juiced for the Falcons game.
• The Eagles will have extra rest heading into the following games: Week 2 at the Buccaneers (Eagles coming off kickoff game), Week 7 versus the Panthers (Eagles coming off Thursday Night Football), and Week 10 versus the Cowboys (double bonus: Eagles coming off bye and Dallas coming off Monday Night Football). Three NFC games and one NFC East game.
• The Eagles don’t have to play a team coming off their bye.
• Potential for a fast start. I think the Eagles go at least 3-1 in the first quarter of the season. 4-0 is certainly on the table.
• Only one back-to-back road trip: Week 14 at the Cowboys and Week 15 at the Rams.
• The Eagles only have three opponents not in the Eastern Time Zone: Cowboys, Rams, and Titans. And Nashville is only a two-hour plane ride.
• The Eagles don’t play a division game until Week 6. This gives Carson Wentz some time to work his way back before having to play truly critical matchups.
• Bye week in the exact middle of the season. Not some weird ass Week 4 bye like the Eagles had in 2016.
• Lots of prime-time games, which means it’s easier for Eagles fans around the country to watch the games.

CONS

• Eagles won’t be able to raise their Super Bowl LII banner in front of whiny Vikings fans in Week 1.
• The Eagles will have less rest than their opponents against: Vikings in Week 5 (Minnesota coming off Thursday Night Football in Week 4), Cowboys in Week 14 (double whammy: Eagles coming off MNF and Dallas coming off TNF), Texans in Week 16 (Houston coming off Saturday night game).
• One of the rare ‘bad’ things about winning the Super Bowl is the Eagles having to play on September 6 instead of September 9 or 10. It would’ve been nice if Wentz had a few extra days to get back, though he might be ready anyway. And, if not, they’ll probably be fine with Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles.
• Depending on how things shake out, the Eagles’ second half schedule could be a tough run: vs. Cowboys, at Saints, vs. Giants, vs. Washington, at Cowboys, at Rams, vs. Texans, at Washington.

OVERALL

After taking a closer look, I think my initial impression was correct. This is a reasonable schedule for the Eagles. Super Bowl repeat confirmed.

How do you feel about it?