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NFL schedule leaks: Raiders, Eagles to play on Christmas

By Andrew Goldwasser

Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of christmas decorations on a van in the parking lot of Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; General view of christmas decorations on a van in the parking lot of Lincoln Financial Field before a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Look out Santa! It looks like the Eagles will be hosting the Raiders on Christmas night in 2017.

The official release of the NFL schedule is still a few hours away (8 p.m. EST on ESPN), but bits and pieces are leaking onto the internet as we speak.

One of the more interesting nuggets comes from Kyle Scott at Crossing Broad, who reports that the Eagles will host the Oakland-for-now Raiders on Christmas evening in Philadelphia on Monday Night Football.

While this news might strike some fans as a heck of an early Christmas present… It’s more than just that:

The NFL wouldn’t just stick any old game on Christmas night. In 2016 it was Steelers vs. Ravens and Broncos vs. Chiefs. Four teams expected to be good. And two matchups between divisional rivals.

This assignment indicates that the NFL expects the Raiders and (perhaps more surprisingly) the Eagles to be playing good football in 2017. It also makes it pretty clear that the NFL is excited about a new generation of quarterback talent headlined by Derek Carr and the potential of Carson Wentz. Or maybe the league is just hoping footage of Santa being pelted with snowballs will go viral?

At any rate… the last time the Eagles played on Christmas it was a 23-7 victory over the Cowboys in 2006. The last time the Raiders played on Christmas they lost 31-30 to the Chiefs in 2004.

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The last time the Eagles played the Raiders? Once and future Eagle Nick Foles threw seven touchdowns in a blowout win.

Who knows what kind of gifts Santa will bring in 2017. Merry Christmas!

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