PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia Eagles fans don’t have much longer to wait for the new season, kicking off against the Washington Commanders on September 13. Head coach Nick Sirianni knows his remit is to improve on last season's exit in the Wild Card round.
We’d say the mood around the camp and fan bases could be described as cautiously optimistic. In recent seasons, the Eagles have done better when flying under the radar. That was the case in both 2017 and 2024, and we all know what ended up happening at the climax of those seasons.
But what's in store for the weeks and months ahead? Let's break it all down with a brief guide, including important games, odds, and more:
Recap of Last Season
Expectations were clearly high going into last season as defending Super Bowl champions, but it was also quickly recognized that there were issues to address, particularly rebuilding key elements of the defense. Yet, the Eagles looked good for most of the season, especially with an 8-2 start. A mini-slump in the early winter saw three losses in a row, and the Eagles ultimately ended up with an 11-6 record and a Wild Card spot in the postseason. That was the end of the road after a tight loss to the 49ers. There was a sense that fine margins were the difference; something for the Eagles to tweak rather than overhaul.
2026 Schedule Notes
The Eagles open and close the season with winnable games against the Commanders and Giants, respectively, but things get interesting in between. For a start, there is a trip to London for a game against the Jaguars on October 11. Perhaps more consequential is the fact that five of the Eagles' six divisional ties take place before December, so that could go a long way to deciding the direction of travel in the NFC East. Moreover, the regular season reaches its climax with a tough-looking run against the Seahawks, Texans and 49ers before wrapping up against the Giants. Sirianni will want to be in a commanding position before that stretch.
Key Games
Look out for the Rams’ visit to Lincoln Financial Field on October 4. It’s going to be a huge bellwether test for the season, as the Rams represent many pundits' pick for the Super Bowl this season. There’s the trip to London a week later, and note that the Eagles won’t have a bye week to recover from the trip. As mentioned above, the three-game stretch against the Seahawks, Texans, and 49ers looks like it will be pivotal for the narrative of the season.
The Eagles’ Season Odds
Right now, DraftKings NFL sportsbook has placed Philadelphia (+1600) as the 5th favorite to win Super Bowl LXI, putting them firmly in the contender category. However, there’s a gaggle of teams put in the same bracket, so there might be a wait-and-see approach from odds-setters. The Eagles are clear favorites to win the NFC East, with the Cowboys viewed as the main threat. To be frank, it is one of the weaker divisions in the NFL, so anything less than top spot will be viewed as a disappointment. Making the Playoffs is expected; what’s more questionable is what the Eagles do once they get there.
Key Players
There is a sense that this is a crucial season for quarterback Jalen Hurts. He was fine last term, though, as we said, the fine margins and little bits of bad luck here and there were the difference. Saquon Barkley went from No.1 on the NFL’s Top 100 Players list of 2025 to No.34 in the 2026 rankings, but he is still very much in the elite tier, and he will be itching to prove once again he is the league’s best running back. Cooper DeJean, Lane Johnson, DeVonta Smith and Zack Baun will also be crucial to the Eagles’ success.
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