The 2015 schedule for the Philadelphia Eagles has been announced. The schedule features six nationally televised games and a second consecutive Thanksgiving Day game ...
Week 1: Monday, September 14, 7:10pm at Atlanta Falcons (Georgia Dome) on ESPN
Week 2: Sunday, September 20, 4:25pm vs. Dallas Cowboys (Lincoln Financial Field) on FOX
Week 3: Sunday, September 27, 1:00pm at New York Jets (MetLife Stadium) on FOX
Week 4: Sunday, October 4, 1:00pm at Washington Redskins (FedEx Field) on FOX
Week 5: Sunday, October 11, 1:00pm vs. New Orleans Saints (Lincoln Financial Field) on FOX
Week 6: Monday, October 19, 8:30pm vs. New York Giants (Lincoln Financial Field) on ESPN
Week 7: Sunday, October 25, 8:30pm at Carolina Panthers (Bank of America Stadium) on NBC
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, November 8, 8:30pm at Dallas Cowboys (AT&T Stadium) on NBC
Week 10: Sunday, November 15, 1:00pm vs. Miami Dolphins (Lincoln Financial Field) on CBS
Week 11: Sunday, November 22, 1:00pm vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Lincoln Financial Field) on FOX
Week 12: Thursday, November 26, 12:30pm at Detroit Lions (Ford Field) on FOX
Week 13: Sunday, December 6, 4:25pm at New England Patriots (Gillette Stadium) on FOX
Week 14: Sunday, December 13, 1:00pm vs. Buffalo Bills (Lincoln Financial Field) on CBS
Week 15: Sunday, December 20, 1:00pm vs. Arizona Cardinals (Lincoln Financial Field) on FOX
Week 16: Saturday, December 26, 8:25pm vs. Washington Redskins (Lincoln Financial Field) on NFLN
Week 17: Sunday, January 3, 1:00pm at New York Giants (MetLife Stadium) on FOX
The Eagles will wait 'til game No. 10 for their first crack at the No. 1 overall pick in May's NFL Draft. Former Florida state quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston was tapped to help turn around a moribund Buccaneers offense. Winston has a big arm and showed the ability to make anticipation throws in college, but transitioning to playing against NFL defenses takes time for all but the rarest of young quarterbacks. Winston certainly did not face any defensive lines the caliber of the Eagles' in the ACC.
Beyond Winston, the Buccaneers look much different than the team that finished with a league-worst 2-14 record in Lovie Smith's first season on the job in 2014. Tampa Bay finished 29th in scoring and 30th in total offense last year. They didn't fare much better when breaking it down further, as they finished in the bottom 10 in every offensive category, including 29th in rushing and 25th in passing (you can see why they need a quarterback). But a lot of that also had to do with an offensive line that has 33-year-old left guard Logan Mankins and … not much else. Draft picks Donovan Smith and Ali Marpet will be counted on immediately, but cconsider this game an opportunity for Fletcher Cox and the Eagles defensive line to make a serious impact.
Where the Eagles defense will be tested, though, is down the field, where the giant combination of Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans will threaten to make big plays all afternoon long. These are the games for which the Eagles spent the big bucks on Byron Maxwell in free agency.
Despite Lovie Smith's background as a defensive magician and standout players like linebacker Lavonte David and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, the Bucs fared little better on defense. They allowed over 25 points per game (28th in the league) and struggled especially in pass coverage. Jordan Matthews, Zach Ertz and crew should then relish the opportunity to make plays downfield on this Sunday afternoon at Lincoln Financial Field.
The hope for the Eagles will be to put this game to bed quickly and efficiently, because they'll be staring at a short week on the back end – a Thanksgiving trip to Detroit.
