EAGLEMANIACAL.com

LOOKS like the Eagles actually caught a break for once. With the way the schedule breaks, winning the division became a little more possible for the Birds. Provided we come out hot at the beginning of the year. That’s a much better deal than we got last season.

Last year I said the schedule was set up to work against us, and look at what happened. While the schedule wasn’t the only reason for our collapse last year, it was a big part of it. Many fans didn’t think the schedule could be a problem at all, because they just look at who is on the schedule. Otherwise they haven’t the slightest clue as to how to read one. Yet here you are, learning a valuable fan skill, because you know there is no better fan than one who knows what they’re talking about; and because you dear reader are working to be that better fan.

First let’s look at what the schedule isn’t:

There are no road trips longer than 2 weeks, and no short weeks other than the one before Thanksgiving, but that will be against an opponent (Lions) also coming off of a short week, so there’ll be no rest disadvantage.

Also both times this year where we play back to road games, we’re not talking coast to coast trips (Jets/Redskins) (Lions/Patriots), so players internal clocks aren’t likely to be disturbed much.  Last year down the stretch that became a problem. Especially with the Offensive Line’s performance. Not a problem in 2015 though.

Now let’s look at what the schedule is:

The Week 8 Bye is a little early for my taste, but it’s not like we have it in week 5 or 6. So we didn’t do too badly there.

We get a three week homestand right around the end of the season which normally could pose a threat of players getting stale. However with an emotional return by LeSean McCoy and a divisional game against the Redskins, both sandwiched around a Cardinals game (which in itself could have Wild Card implications), there are no chances for a trap game among those three. It even has the chance to be a franchise defining 3 game stretch.

What concerns me is playing 4 division games by Week 10. Starting the year even 3-3 could be the kiss of death, unless those wins are all divisional. The only team that could make up for an early stumble is the Redskins since they’re the only team that still has 4 division games Week 12 and on. The rest of us play 4 by Week 10.

On the whole I like this schedule better than last year’s. Then again ask me how I feel about it after Week 6.