Each week during the NFL season we lay out a rooting guide for non-Eagles games on the NFL schedule. And yes, I'm aware that most of the below is obvious. Ideal winners bolded.
NFC East
Here are the NFC East's common opponents outside of the division, and results so far:
| Common Opponent | PHI | DAL | WAS | NYG |
| 49ers | ||||
| Cardinals | ||||
| Rams | ||||
| Seahawks | ||||
| Bills | ||||
| Dolphins | ||||
| Jets | ||||
| Patriots | |
As you can see, each of the Eagles' rivals has a win and a loss against the common opponents. The Cowboys and Giants will both face common opponents outside of the division Week 4.
• Patri*ts at Cowboys: We don't normally think of early season games against AFC teams are super important, but the Cowboys can ill-afford to fall to 2-2 with a trip to Santa Clara on the horizon Week 5.
• Seahawks at Giants: The Giants aren't much of a threat to the Eagles in the NFC East, but, ehhh, I suppose it's just better if they fall out of contention quickly, as expected? But also, the Seahawks have a fighting chance of contending with the 49ers for an NFC West title.
Draft pick watch
• Buccaneers at Saints: The Eagles own the Saints' second-round pick. Let's fire up the PFF mock draft simulator! We'll do three rounds.
• Round 1: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
• Round 2 (from Saints): Calen Bullock, S, USC
• Round 2: Javon Bullard, S/SCB, Georgia
• Round 3: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
Others in the NFC
- MORE ON THE EAGLES
- Eagles-Commanders Week 4 injury report, with analysis
- Week 4 NFL picks: Rounding up the experts' predictions for Eagles-Commanders
- Random Eagles notes: Commanders defensive coordinator JaQ Del Rio wants the 'tush push' eliminated
• Cardinals at 49ers: The Cardinals did the Eagles a huge solid Week 3 when they beat the Cowboys. Should they also beat the 49ers Week 4, Eagles fans might forgive Jonathan Gannon for the Super Bowl. OK, maybe not, but maybe they'll hate him 1 or 2 percent less? OK, maybe not.
• Falcons at Jaguars: The Falcons winning the NFC South instead of the Saints is a good outcome in terms of draft positioning for the Eagles. But also, the Falcons feel like a potential playoff opponent that the Eagles could smash.
• Rams at Colts: Cooper Kupp could potentially return to the Rams' lineup Week 5 against the Eagles. I feel like a loss (and thus a 1-3 record) would make Kupp more likely to rush back if he's not completely ready. Does that make sense? Yes? No? Well, whatever.
• Vikings at Panthers: If the Vikings lose to a bottom five team like the Panthers and start 0-4, there's a decent chance they'll start selling off players in contract years and more or less go into tank mode. The Vikings still have the 49ers on their schedule Week 7, so it would be ideal for the Eagles if they try to stay competitive at least until that game.
For future reference
The following bolded teams play the Eagles this season, so they're just worth keeping an eye on, but it doesn't matter much who wins:
- Dolphins at Bills
- Chiefs at Jets
Irrelevant to the Eagles
- Bengals at Titans
- Ravens at Browns
- Broncos at Bears
- Steelers at Texans
- Raiders at Chargers
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