The Eagles’ phenomenal cornerback duo of James Bradberry and Darius Slay face a gauntlet during the 2023-2024 regular season.
Once the curtain was drawn on the Philadelphia Eagles‘ most recent NFL season, we knew that there would be changes, and even though there were, one of the offseason headlines that has surprised everyone involves Howie Roseman’s ability to keep much of the veteran core together.
Philly’s starting cornerback duo, one featuring Darius Slay and James Bradberry, is seen as being one of the game’s best. The only issue here is they’re getting a little older. Still, whenever we begin discussing last year’s top-ranked defensive unit versus the pass, it doesn’t take long to bring their names up, and if Philly is to make another deep playoff run. this year, Bradberry and Slay are going to have to turn the clock back.
The Eagles’ regular season begins with a bang in September
Philadelphia’s first two games are played in five days. Then, there’s a ten-day break before they close September out with one versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Week 1 – at Patriots (JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker)
JuJu Smith certainly hasn’t endeared himself to James Bradberry or Eagles fans. Throw in a road game versus the New England Patriots. Throw in Bill Belichick and Tom Brady Appreciation Day, and this one is loaded with subplots. Oh and by the way, this is Philadelphia’s regular-season opener, and they’ll want to begin things with a bang.
Week 2 – Vikings (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison)
Juston Jefferson is a monster and the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Darius Slay kept him in check the last time these two teams met. That was ironically a primetime Week 2 matchup last September. Can Philly deliver another dominating defensive performance?
Week 3 – at Buccaneers (Mike Evans, Russell Gage)
Mike Evans enters his tenth NFL season, and it appears, if he tacks one or two more Pro Bowl nods on his resume, he’ll be a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Russell Gage caught 51 passes and reached the end zone five times last season. The uber-talented Chris Godwin figures to line up in the slot.
James Bradberry and Darius Slay will have their mettle tested as the Eagles move through October.
The Eagles battle the Washington Commanders, L.A. Rams, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins during the four-game stretch that spans from Week 4 to Week 7.
Week 4 – Commanders (Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson)
Historically, Terry McLaurin has had his way versus the Eagles’ secondary. Sadly, someone as talented as he is has had to waste so many good years with Washington, but the Commanders’ issue is something else.
Who in the heck is going to throw these guys the ball?
Week 5 – at Rams (Van Jefferson, Cooper Kupp)
Some believe the Rams’ business model involves placing Van Jefferson and Ben Skowronek on the outside and Cooper Kupp in the slot. If so, that would mean Avonte Maddox earns Kupp duty, but seemingly the most reasonable plan of attack involves allowing Slay and Bradberry to travel with the top dogs.
Week 6 – at Jets (Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard)
A trip to the Meadowlands guarantees Philadelphia an opportunity to battle an inspired Aaron Rodgers and a new-look Jets offense. As always, the four-time MVP made sure his buddies were taken care of. Randall Cobb and Allen Lazard join him on the roster. Mecole Hardman and Denzel Mims figure to be in the mix as well.
Week 7 – Dolphins (Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill)
The Dolphins won’t be the toughest team the Eagles face in 2023, but this may be the biggest challenge that the secondary sees. It doesn’t get much better than Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
James Bradberry and Darius Slay are tested ahead of and after the Eagles’ bye week.
Teams can only hope that their bye won’t come too early or too late. The Eagles earn theirs in Week 10, and a pair of tough games sit on both sides of it.
Week 8 – at Commanders
The Birds don’t have to wait too long to get a second look at the hated Commanders. Their talented trio consists of the aforementioned McLaurin and Dotson. We didn’t mention him the first time, but Curtis Samuel is no slouch either.
Week 9 – Cowboys (CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Brandin Cooks)
CeeDee Lamb might be the best wide receiver on the Cowboys roster, but he’s their slot guy. Michael Gallup and Brandin Cooks will line up on the outside and keep Philly’s secondary busy all afternoon.
Week 10 (BYE)
There’s no game this week. Hopefully, this will allow the Eagles to rest up for a nice finish. Hopefully, they’re enjoying a winning streak while doing so.
Week 11 – at Chiefs (Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney)
The Chiefs are home to the game’s best tight end, Travis Kelce. It doesn’t seem to matter who they put on the outside, and when you have a quarterback who is as talented as Patrick Mahomes, that shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Week 12 – Bills (Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis)
Philly gets its second look at Josh Allen. Their first led to a 31-13 win on the road, but Stefon Diggs wasn’t on that Bills roster.
December begins with a tough stretch of games.
Last December was tough, and honestly, it doesn’t get much worse than a Christmas Eve loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Can the Eagles earn their first win in Arlington since 2017?
Week 13 – 49ers (Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel)
This one has been circled by guys on both sides of what’s becoming an extended rivalry of sorts. The disdain hasn’t reached the level of Eagles/Cowboys or Eagles/Giants yet, but with the classless way in which the 49ers have carried themselves, that may not be the case much longer.
We’re just wondering if Trey Lance or Brock Burdy will be the quarterback when this one kicks off.
Week 14 – at Cowboys
Gosh, it’s so easy to hate Dallas. We could end this story simply by saying that, but we’ll continue. Toppling the Cowboys on the road won’t be easy. The key lies in limiting Dak Prescott. He has been a thorn in the Eagles’ side.
In 11 career games versus Philly, he has come out on the winning end eight times. He has completed over 67% of his passes. He has thrown for 2,757 yards, run for 168 more, and reached the end zone 22 times as a passer and runner.
Week 15 – at Seahawks (D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett)
The Eagles have lost nine of the last ten games they have played versus the Seattle Seahawks, and they have dropped seven straight. It won’t get any easier when they travel to the Pacific Northwest this season as this is one of the more talented teams they have faced in this series.
Two games versus the New York Giants sandwich a home affair versus the Arizona Cardinals.
In a bit of a plot twist, the Philadelphia Eagles face their long-time rivals during two of the final three games on the schedule. The first meeting occurs on Christmas. It has been six years since the Birds last played a regular-season game on December 25th, but the last time they did so, they won the Super Bowl.
Week 16 – Giants (Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton)
The last time we saw them, the New York Giants’ offensive attack consisted of heavy doses of Saquon Barkley and using their quarterback’s legs almost as often as they used his arm. We’re pretty sure more was on the table, but every time we think of these guys, that’s all that we can remember.
As we approach another NFL season, Saquon’s future with the team is up in the air, but they have signed Daniel Jones to an extension. To help him out, the G-Men drafted Jalin Hyatt. Add him to a roster that already featured Sterling Shepard, and it feels like there are more questions than answers. The starting trio (Parris Campbell, Darius Slayton, and Isaiah Hodgins) leave much to be desired.
Week 17 – Cardinals (DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown)
Former Eagle Zach Pascal joins Jonathan Gannon in Arizona and trades one Birds’ nest for another. The lineup is impressive on paper. DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown, and Rondale Moore make up the starting trio, but the Cardinals’ may be too toxic of an organization to win in.
Week 18 – at Giants
The dates of this one have yet to be determined, but something tells us that we won’t see major changes from this team between weeks 16 and 18. It’s probably too early to make guesses, but we’re predicting a season sweep by the Eagles over the G-Men.