The NFL has turned its regular-season schedule release into an event unto itself. Fans and the media ponder numerous leaks in the days leading up to the actual release, ponder success rates, and circle the biggest matchups.
While the actual opponents, and whether they are home or away, are announced before the previous season is over, other factors come into play. For example, when will teams have their bye weeks? Do they have any holiday games? How many prime-time games do they have? And will they suffer a string of challenging games in a short period?
Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers had one of the most brutal late-season stretches of games in recent memory. They played three games in 11 days, including a game on Christmas Day, and against three of the best teams in the league. Now, it seems that the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their 2025 season with a series of games.
Former Eagles LB Unhappy With 2025 Schedule
Emmanuel Acho played linebacker in the NFL for only four seasons. He was a sixth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2012 but stayed with them for only a single season. The rest of his short career was spent with the Eagles.
After his playing career didn’t work out, Acho began working as an analyst. He first worked at ESPN before becoming a member of Fox Sports 1. He co-hosts the show “The Facility” with several other former players.
When the Eagles’ 2025 schedule dropped, Acho was frustrated. Philadelphia’s first four games are against the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He took to X to offer his opinion.
“The Eagles earned it, but man they have a brutal start to the schedule.
Wk 1: Division rival (always competitive)
Wk 2: The only team better over the last three years.
Wk 3: The only team to threaten the Eagles 2024 SB hopes.
WK 4: The team that always plays Eagles tough,” wrote Acho in his post on X.
The “Super Bowl hangover” isn’t just for fans. The media talk quite a bit about how hard it is for a team that just won to come back and do it again the following year. That’s why the Chiefs being so close to a three-peat was so remarkable. This schedule makes the Eagles’ road to winning back-to-back Lombardi Trophies even tougher.
The Eagles earned it, but man they have a brutal start to the schedule.
Wk 1: Division rival (always competitive)
Wk 2: The only team better over the last three years.
Wk 3: The only team to threaten the Eagles 2024 SB hopes.
Wk 4: The team that always plays Eagles tough https://t.co/wzDejeoGGq
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho)
The rest of the Eagles’ schedule isn’t exactly easy. Other than playing their division rival, the New York Giants, twice, there aren’t many simpler games.
It’s no secret that the NFL is a business looking to take advantage of whatever matchups it can. One of its favorites is a Super Bowl rematch, so it’s no surprise the league is striking while the iron is hot and slotting that into Week 2.
The Eagles won’t have an easy road to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., at the end of the 2025 season, but there is no doubt that all eyes will be on them as they try to do it.