In a break from tradition, the Philadelphia Eagles will not have a nationally televised game against long-time rivals, the Dallas Cowboys, for the first time in over 20 years. The release of the 2024 NFL schedule has been a hot topic among football fans, and it has brought some notable changes for the Eagles.

Both of the Eagles' games against the Cowboys, in Week 10 and Week 17, are currently scheduled for 4:25 PM, a departure from the usual primetime slot. This rarity raises questions about the significance of these matchups, as historically, at least one of the annual games between these fierce adversaries has been featured in primetime.

While there is a possibility that one of the Eagles-Cowboys games could be flexed to primetime, it seems that FOX, the broadcaster for these games, wants to keep them as part of their coveted afternoon "Game of the Week" window. This deviation from the norm marks unfamiliar territory for both teams and their fans.

Another highlight of the Eagles' 2024 schedule is their homecoming in Week 2, as they face the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. After losing a "home" game in Week 1 due to a cross-continent trip, the Eagles will be eager to make a strong statement in front of their hometown crowd. Notably, they have had success facing Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins in Week 2 of the past two seasons while he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings.

Week 5 brings an unusually early bye week for the Eagles. It is the earliest bye week they have had since 2016, when it came in Week 4. While some may wish for a later bye week, the potential benefit of the early break lies in its ability to facilitate recovery from early-season injuries. If the Eagles were to suffer key injuries in the summer or early in the season, this Week 5 bye could prove crucial.

Aside from the Eagles' schedule, football enthusiasts will be treated to an exciting slate of games in Week 5. Matchups like Baltimore-Cincinnati, Buffalo-Houston, and Green Bay-Los Angeles are expected to provide thrilling action for fans to enjoy during the Eagles' bye week.

Looking ahead, the Eagles will enjoy a more favorable schedule towards the latter half of the season. After Week 12, they will not have to travel by plane again until potentially the postseason. In order to maximize their chances for success, the team needs to perform well in a critical four-game stretch against Dallas, Washington, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. Ideally, securing divisional wins will set the stage for a strong push towards the playoffs.

As the speculation builds, one potential playoff preview that stands out is an Eagles-Rams matchup. This proposition stems from Rams head coach Sean McVay's impressive turnaround in 2023, with quarterback Matthew Stafford leading a potent offense. Should the two teams meet in the postseason, it would mark the first encounter between them since the memorable 2001 NFC Championship Game.

While the upcoming season holds several intriguing storylines for the Philadelphia Eagles, the focus remains on their performance on the field. With a combination of strategic scheduling and the determination of players and coaches, the team aims to make their mark in the NFL and compete for a spot in the playoffs.