The Eagles concluded the 2011 season with a 34-10 win over the Washington Redskins on Sunday to finish the season with an 8-8 record. The Eagles close out with a four-game win streak to ensure a sixth straight non-losing season. The win also secured second place in the NFC East after the Eagles went 5-1 vs. their division rivals in 2011.
Here's a quick look at who the Eagles play in 2012. The Eagles play their NFC East rivals at home and on the road as usual. The Eagles also play the AFC North and NFC South divisions. With their second-place division finish, the Eagles will play the Detroit Lions from the NFC North and the Arizona Cardinals from the NFC West. Here's a brief look at the 2012 opponents.
NFC EAST
New York Giants - The Giants gave the Eagles their only divisional loss in 2011, a heartbreaking 29-16 home loss in Week 3. It is always a tough battle when the Eagles and Giants face off, so expect no different next season.
Dallas – The Eagles were able to defeat the Cowboys handily in both their meetings in 2011, outscoring them 54-14. In what is, for Eagles fans, the most heated and storied rivalry, expect to see two very talented teams come together to do battle.
Washington – The Eagles are 5-1 in their last six meetings with the Redskins and have won their last three against the burgundy and gold. Philadelphia will look to keep that streak alive in 2012 against a Washington team that will likely look very different one year from now after a disappointing 5-11 season.
HOME GAMES
Atlanta – The Eagles and Falcons are very familiar with one another. The two teams have played one another in five of the last six seasons; the Eagles have won all but one of those games, with the loss coming in Week 2 of the 2011 season. Philadelphia will look for payback when these birds of a different feather fly north.
Carolina – Despite a 6-10 record in 2011, the Panthers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL going into 2012. Having won four of their last six games on the back of likely-Rookie of the Year Cam Newton, who threw for over 4,000 yards and compiled 37 touchdowns (21 passing, 16 rushing).
Baltimore – As seems to always be the case when it comes to the Baltimore Ravens, they've built a strong, contending team on the back of a great defense. The Eagles' explosive offense will be a big-time test for the Ravens.
Cincinnati – The Bengals are on their way to the playoffs for only the third time in 21 seasons, and the first time since 2009. They've assembled a great defense that has kept them in games despite having a rookie quarterback at the helm. Also, don't forget that they have what is possibly the league's top young receiving tandem in A.J. Green and Jerome Simpson.
Detroit – The Lions feature one of the most dynamic passing attacks in the league. For the first time in his three-year career, former first-overall draft pick Matt Stafford started all 16 games; he certainly made the most of his time on the field. He passed for over 5,000 yards and added 41 touchdowns through the air, 16 of which were to his top target Calvin Johnson, who finished with 1,681 receiving yards on the season. Trying to slow down "Megatron" will be a great challenge for Nnamdi Asomugha and the rest of the Eagles defensive backs.
ROAD GAMES
New Orleans – The Saints are one of the most offensively talented teams in the NFL, scoring 34.2 points per game in 2011. Amazingly, their passing attack is even more potent than that of Detroit. Quarterback Drew Brees is coming off a season in which he set the all-time single-season passing mark with a stunning 5,476 yards. Going on the road to face them will be as tough a challenge as any for the Eagle defense.
Tampa Bay – After posting a 10-6 record in 2010, many expected the Buccaneers, one of the youngest teams in the league, to take the next step and compete in the ruthless NFC South in 2011. Unfortunately, head coach Raheem Morris and his Bucs were unable to muster more than four wins on the season.
Cleveland – The Browns once again found themselves in the basement of the AFC North, finishing with a 4-12 record. It is the third time in the last four seasons that they have finished last in their division. Despite trotting out a good pass defense, they scored only 13.9 points per game, making it tough for them to win games consistently.
Pittsburgh – The Steelers are a model franchise. Their defense has ranked near the top in the league in four of the previous five seasons and they've won two Super Bowls in the last six years. Traveling across the state to play a great Pittsburgh team will be one of the more difficult tasks the Eagles will face next season.
Arizona – The Cardinals were one of eight teams that defeated the Eagles in 2011. With a matching 8-8 record, the Eagles will look to top their former quarterback Kevin Kolb and his talented offensive weapons when they fly out west.
The Eagles' 2012 schedule is rough. They face teams that were a combined 132-124 (.516 percent) in 2011. Half of their games will be against playoff teams. With a full offseason during which to improve, the Eagles will look to prepare for the test they will face in 2012.
TWELVE EAGLES TO BE FREE AGENTS
The Eagles have 12 players whose contracts expire after this season - defensive end Victor Abiamiri, running back Ronnie Brown, defensive tackle Antonio Dixon, offensive tackle King Dunlap, wide receiver DeSean Jackson, defensive tackle Derek Landri, defensive tackle Trevor Laws, guard Evan Mathis, defensive end Juqua Parker, fullback Owen Schmitt, wide receiver Steve Smith and quarterback Vince Young.
Of those dozen, Dixon is the only one who is a restricted free agent.
TEN DRAFT PICKS FOR EAGLES; TEAM OWNS No. 15 SELECTION
The 2012 NFL Draft will once again be held in primetime at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The first round will take place on Thursday, April 26, with rounds two and three on Friday, April 27. Rounds four through seven will be held on Saturday, April 28.
The Eagles have their own pick in Rounds 1-6 (No. 15 overall in first round) and have an extra 2nd round pick (Arizona), an extra 4th round pick (Tampa Bay) and two extra 6th round picks (Denver and New England). Their 7th round pick belongs to New England.
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