If the rebuilding Philadelphia Eagles are going to compete in the suddenly wide-open NFC East, or at least close the gap on the teams at the top, there are five games they must in in 2021
The Philadelphia Eagles are one of the more interesting teams going into the 2021 NFL Season, after winning just four games in 2020, but boasting some impressive talent around second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts, could surprise.
However, the road for the Philadelphia Eagles back to contention will be a daunting one in Nick Sirianni’s first season as head coach.
The Eagles’ 2021 slate features four opponents that made the postseason last year, including the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and AFC champ Kansas City Chiefs.
Can Hurts, rookie receiver DeVonta Smith and running back Miles Sanders form a high-flying offense? Or, will Hurts fail to take the steps in his development to position the Eagles to compete for the NFC East crown?
5 must-win games for the Philadelphia Eagles on the 2021 NFL schedule
5) at Carolina Panthers
If the Philadelphia Eagles are going to have any hopes of making the postseason, winning games that they are “supposed” to win is imperative.
Carolina should be better in Matt Rhule’s second season as head coach, and quarterback Sam Darnold arrives as the Panthers’ quarterback with a far more stable and talented supporting cast than he ever had in New York.
However, the Panthers allowed 25.1 points per game last season, which should present an opportunity for Hurts, Smith, Reagor, Miles Sanders and Co. to light up the scoreboard. The Eagles can’t afford to trip up in winnable games this season, and handling the Panthers would be a big step towards returning to contention.