Eagles 2021 Opening Week Matchup Announced

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The full schedule is still hours away from being announced, but the Eagles already know who they're playing for their opening week matchup: the Atlanta Falcons.

The NFL chose to release the week one matchup ahead of the full release of the schedule Wednesday night. The opener will be held in Atlanta at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12, as the new look Eagles — without Super Bowl head coach Doug Peterson or former franchise quarterback Carson Wentz — look to turn the page on 2020's last place finish.

Here's what NFL.com has to say about the week one battle between the NFC's birds of prey:

"An NFC clash offers up the debuts of two new head coaches. Nick Sirianni is set for his head-coaching introduction with the Eagles and Jalen Hurts is likely to begin his run as Philadelphia's QB1 with Heisman Trophy-winner and first-round pick DeVonta Smith to throw to. Arthur Smith will also begin his days as Falcons head coach. Along with the head coaches, this one offers up the first games of two of the 2021 draft class' most exciting skill players, as Smith looks to take flight for the Eagles and Kyle Pitts, whose selection at fourth overall was the highest ever for a tight end, looks to shine for the Falcons."

The Eagles do know some of their opponents, just not the order. And at first glance, the schedule looks tough. Out of division home games will be played against the defending AFC Champion Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes, the Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and defending Super Bowl Champions Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Away opponents include the Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, and Detroit Lions.

And, as usual, there will be a home and an away game apiece against the three division arch rivals: the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington.

This will be the first season with the new 17-game schedule, after the NFL made the controversial decision to expand the season for the time in decades. The move came after lost revenue from the pandemic during the 2020 season. The Eagles "extra" game in 2021 will be an away game against the New York Jets, in a battle of the off-greens.

To see the full list of opening week NFL games, click here.