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Everyone agrees that the Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champions, have one of the most demanding 2025 schedules in the NFL.
The Eagles are already at a disadvantage with only eight home games, and none happen in consecutive weeks. Only four of their opponents did not make the postseason in 2024.
Philadelphia's chips are stacked against them, but this loaded roster will be ready to take on the challenge. The question is whether this team can come together immediately to help them get through the gauntlet of games to start the season.
Eagles have a challenging first five games of the season
There isn't a team in the NFL that has a start to the year as brutal as Philadelphia's opening five games. Here's a look at who they have the start the season against:
The good news is that the Eagles won't have to travel across the country to play the Rams or Broncos, as they will play in the Linc. They do have to go on the road, though, to play their Super Bowl opponents in Kansas City and the Buccaneers.
Starting with Dallas, the Eagles have had the Cowboys' number in recent years, as last year, Philadelphia won both games with a combined score of 75-13. NFC East games are never easy, so it would be too quick to count out the Cowboys, but the Eagles are the more talented team with a better recent history.
The Super Bowl rematch comes the following week against the Chiefs. Philadelphia dominated Kansas City 40-22 the last time these two teams played in February. The Eagles have won two in a row against the Chiefs.
Week 3 is another playoff rematch against the Rams, as the NFC Divisional round game was the only Eagles playoff game to be within one possession. This is a game Los Angeles has circled on its calendar as a revenge game. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley loved playing the Rams, as he rushed for 460 yards and four touchdowns in two games against them last year.
Philadelphia's Achilles heel comes in Week 4 with a trip to Tampa Bay. The Bucs have dominated the series against the Eagles, as they have won six of the last seven matchups, with four of those games being by 10 or more points.
The tough stretch closes out against the resurgent Broncos, who made the postseason with rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Philadelphia has won three of the last four matchups against Denver.
It's not a favorable schedule for the Eagles, and they have not been known to get off to strong starts to seasons. Last year, Philadelphia was 2-2 going into the bye week before turning it around.
Starting the season slow can't happen for the Eagles if they want to set themselves up for a second consecutive Super Bowl title.
More must-reads:
- Aaron Rodgers responds to criticism from Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw
- Terry McLaurin makes big decision amid his contract holdout
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Mariners' Cal Raleigh makes history with 40th home run
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh clubbed his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Angels, not only extending his major league lead but also making him the first player in baseball to reach the 40-home run mark this season. It also helped him make some history. With his 40th home run, Raleigh became both the first catcher and the first switch-hitter in baseball history to reach the 40 home run mark before the end of July. Here is a look at his 40th home run. He is already in the process of having one of the best seasons ever for a Mariners player, and also one of the best seasons ever for a catcher, for any team. Especially when you add in his defense, where he is one of the best defensive catchers in the league. His only serious competition for the American League MVP Award remains New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge. But with Judge sidelined for some time now due to an elbow injury, it might open the door for Raleigh to put himself in the lead for that award.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Aaron Rodgers had the worst possible start to Steelers camp
Aaron Rodgers made his practice debut for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, and it was not necessarily a moment he will want to remember. Rodgers’ very first pass was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen. The quarterback was trying to find top target DK Metcalf on a curl route, but was not quite accurate enough. Rodgers will not lose any sleep over this. It is not the first interception he has thrown in a practice session and it will not be the last. It did make for some amusing viewing for critics, though, and even some Steelers fans got a chuckle out of it. The Steelers are hoping Rodgers can lift them to at least a playoff win in 2025. If he succeeds, he is in line for a pretty big payday, and might even be able to go out on a high note if this is in fact his final NFL season. The other bright side to Rodgers’ inauspicious start to his Pittsburgh career? It will probably make Giants rookie Jaxson Dart feel a little bit better about his own first pass.
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