The Philadelphia Eagles may be defending Super Bowl champions, but one former NFL quarterback thinks their crown could be wobbling early. With a ruthless opening stretch, Chase Daniel believes the Eagles could stumble out of the gate — and start the 2025 season 1-3.
Can the Eagles Survive Their Early-Season Gauntlet?
The Eagles kick off the NFL season with a marquee Thursday night clash against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4. But the real test comes in the weeks that follow.
Former QB Chase Daniel didn’t hold back when breaking down Philly’s brutal slate on The Facility, alongside Emmanuel Acho, LeSean McCoy, and James Jones. He pointed out: “It’s not impossible. There’s a real possibility the Eagles start 1-3.”
Daniel walked through it. After the Cowboys, it’s the Chiefs in Week 2 — on extra rest, sure, but still Patrick Mahomes. Then it’s the Rams in Week 3, a team that nearly knocked them off. Week 4? The Bucs, who already beat them. And all of that while the Eagles adjust to a new offensive coordinator and a reworked defense.
Daniel said: “We can say this, that hey, you know, the Eagles are the best team though. It’s not impossible. Every single one of those teams in the first four weeks, other than the Cowboys, can show up if you start beat Philadelphia.”
That’s four games, three against 2024 playoff teams, with a lot of moving parts behind the scenes. The Eagles may be loaded, but Daniel’s warning wasn’t just for effect — the possibility is very real.
Philadelphia’s Full Schedule Is No Cakewalk
It’s not just the start. The Eagles’ 2025 schedule is laced with danger from wire to wire.
Philadelphia will face 10 teams that made the playoffs last year — the most in the league, tied with the Lions. They’ve got five prime-time games guaranteed and could see up to seven by the time December rolls around.
The first true break in the calendar doesn’t show up until Week 8, after a trip to face the Broncos. Their only West Coast road game is Week 14 against the Chargers, but December won’t be forgiving either. The Eagles host the Raiders on a short week, travel to Washington for a Saturday game in Week 16, then finish the regular season with trips to Buffalo and a home finale against the Commanders.
So yes, they’ll be in the Super Bowl hunt — no question. But Daniel might be right. Getting back to the big game won’t be a glide path. If the Eagles don’t find their rhythm early, a 1-3 start might not be shocking. It might be expected.