Eagles 2025 NFL Schedule Released as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley Eye Super Bowl Repeat

The Philadelphia Eagles' title defense begins now.

The Birds stomped the Kansas City Chiefs at last season's Super Bowl, 40-22, but returning to the big game won't be easy. Yes, the Eagles are still loaded on both sides of the ball, but the team has more question marks on its roster than it did a season ago and is about to face a brutal 2025 schedule.

Analysis

The Eagles have to deal with 11 of their 17 games being against playoff teams from a season ago. Plus, teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears should be better in 2025, with Dallas getting Dak Prescott back healthy and Chicago adding the hottest name in the head-coaching market this offseason, Ben Johnson.

The Birds will face Super Bowl contenders in the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. The Washington Commanders, Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams and Green Bay Packers are knocking on the door as well, while the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers were pleasant surprises last season.

Add in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers team that has had Philly's number in recent seasons, and this is a true gauntlet.

Pivotal Matchups

You could pick from any number here, with the Eagles facing a number of legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but let's stay in the NFC East, where both the Commanders and the Cowboys are gunning for the divisional crown.

Washington was fantastic last season in Jayden Daniels' rookie season and one of the three teams to actually beat the Eagles. The team responded with an aggressive offseason, adding players like offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, wideout Deebo Samuel, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive end Deatrich Wise, among others.

The Commanders also bolstered the offensive line with first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr. and the cornerback position with second-rounder Trey Amos. This is a better team than it was a season ago, at least on paper, and undoubtedly the top challengers to the Birds in the NFC East.

The Cowboys don't look as solid on paper, but any team with Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons has a chance. The Cowboys also addressed WR2 with the trade for George Pickens and the offensive line (OG Tyler Booker), defensive line (DE Donovan Ezeiruaku) and the secondary (CB Shavon Revel) in the first three rounds of this year's draft.

All three picks looked like solid values, and the Cowboys continue to focus their team-building from the trenches on out. They still look like the third-best team in the division at this point, but there is enough talent here to give the Eagles a pair of battles in the regular season.

Winning the division and getting at least one home game for the postseason is important, especially for an Eagles team with the raucous Philly crowd at their backs. The matchups against the Commanders and Cowboys will be key matchups in the quest to repeat as champions.