2009 Schedule Released!

Big news in the National Football League today as the 2009 regular season schedule is unveiled. The Eagles have just one Monday Night game this year, October 26th @ Washington. They do, however, have THREE big Sunday night matchups. The first comes November 8th at home against the hated Dallas Cowboys, the second just two weeks later (November 22nd at Chicago), and the third is in Giants Stadium on December 13th. 

According to teams’ records from last year, the Eagles have the 9th hardest schedule. Their 2009 opponents had a combined 137-119 record in 2008, a .535 winning percentage. They are followed immediately after by division foes Dallas (10th) and New York (11th).

How much does the strength of schedule come into play? Not nearly as much as you may think. There is always a huge turnover in the NFL, just look at the Atlanta Falcons last year. Also, the Eagles play in the NFC East, always one of the top divisions in football. Here is a look at the Philadelphia Eagles 2009 schedule!

September

Sunday 9/13 @ PANTHERS 1:00 P.M. 

Sunday 9/20 vs. SAINTS 1:00 P.M.

Sunday 9/27 vs. CHIEFS 1:00 P.M. 

October

Sunday 10/4 BYE

Sunday 10/11 vs. BUCCANEERS 1:00 P.M.

Sunday 10/18 @ RAIDERS 4:05 P.M. 

Monday 10/26 @ REDSKINS 8:30 P.M.

November

Sunday 11/1 vs. GIANTS 4:15 P.M.

Sunday 11/8 vs. COWBOYS 8:20 P.M.

Sunday 11/15 @ CHARGERS 4:15 P.M.

Sunday 11/22 @ BEARS 8:20 P.M. *

Sunday 11/29 vs. REDSKINS 1:00 P.M. *

December

12/6 @ FALCONS 1:00 P.M. *

12/13 @ GIANTS 8:20 P.M. *

12/20 vs. 49ERS 1:00 P.M. *

12/27 vs. BRONCOS 1:00 P.M. *

January

1/3 @ COWBOYS 1:00 P.M. *

*Subject to NFL flex scheduling

Ok there you have it. An early bye will test the Eagles towards the home stretch of the season. A relatively easy first six games include games against the lowly Chiefs and Raiders. No division games until the Week 7 Monday Night matchup in Washington. That starts a string of three division games in a row with both the Giants and Cowboys coming to town in the following two weeks.

How about the late season matchup home against the Broncos? What kind of ovation will Brian Dawkins receive? I can only imagine it would rival the HUGE ovation Pat Burrell just received during the Phillies World Series Champions ring ceremony last week. 

A healthy Eagles team can easily win 11-12 games this year. What do you think? Which games intrigue you the most? Football season is here! Can’t wait for the draft in less than two weeks! Huge questions are soon going to be answered about this Eagles team. Until next time, go BIRDS!

Tags: Brian Dawkins, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, NFL, Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins