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Breaking down the Philadelphia Eagles' 2012 schedule

In addition to the champs, chumps and rebuilding Redskins, the Eagles will play 10 games against non-divisional opponents.

The Eagles will visit Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 7. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
The Eagles will visit Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, October 7. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

In addition to the champs, chumps and rebuilding Redskins, the Eagles will play 10 games against non-divisional opponents.

The home highlights include visits from local boys who've done good (Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco) and the first look at Cam Newton.

Among the interesting road trips, the Birds play at Pittsburgh and Arizona. And because they're also visiting New Orleans, we have imposed a restriction on that town's signature drink.

The Eagles have five prime-time games, with two Sundays, two Mondays and a Thursday night game.

At Cleveland, 1 p.m., Fox

All-time series: Browns lead, 31-15-1

Last meeting: Dec. 15, 2008 - Eagles, 30-10

Three things: Eagles have only won six of 25 meetings in Cleveland, but are 2-0 out there under Andy Reid . . . Former Eagle Sheldon Brown might move from corner to safety . . . What does Cleveland see in Colt McCoy that the rest of us don't?

vs. Baltimore, 1, CBS

All-time series: Tied, 1-1-1

Last meeting: Nov. 23, 2008 - Ravens, 36-7

Three things: Star running back Ray Rice wants a new contract and could hold out of OTAs and training camp . . . Joe Flacco is in the final year of his rookie deal . . . Lardarius Webb is one of the best corners in football and a pretty decent punt returner.

At Arizona, 4:05, Fox

All-time series: Cardinals lead, 56-54

Last meeting: Nov. 13, 2011 - Cardinals, 21-17

Three things: Missed out on the Peyton Manning sweepstakes, so Kevin Kolb is the presumptive quarterback . . . Sure hope they don't run John Skelton out there again. He was the guy that beat the Eagles last year . . . Eagles' corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returns to the desert.

vs. NY Giants, 8:20, NBC

All-time series: Giants lead, 83-75-2

Last meeting at site: Sept. 25, 2011 - Giants, 29-16

Three things: The Giants win last year snapped a six-game losing streak to the Eagles . . . Two-time Super Bowl winning coach Tom Coughlin. Still hard to believe . . . Inspirational linebacker Mark Herzlich (Conestoga High) is expected to compete for a starting job.

At Pittsburgh, 1, Fox

All-time series: Eagles lead, 47-27-3

Last meeting: Sept. 21, 2008 - Eagles, 15-6

Three things: Though the Eagles are 20 games over .500 in this series, most of the games were played prior to the Super Bowl era. The Birds still are an impressive 7-3 since 1970 . . . This is the first meeting in Pittsburgh since 2004 when the Steelers ended a seven-game Eagles win streak with a decisive 27-3 win . . . How much will Ben Roethlisberger miss axed offensive coordinator and how soon until the first sideline hissing match with new OC Todd Haley?

vs. Detroit, 1, Fox

All-time series: Eagles lead, 16-12-2

Last meeting: Sept. 19, 2010 - Eagles, 35-32

Three things: Defensive tackle Nick Fairley and running back Mikel Leshoure, first- and second-round picks in 2011, each were pinched recently on marijuana charges. Can't blame Matt Millen for these guys . . . Ndamukong Suh's reckless on-field behavior will be scrutinized even more after the Saints scandal. Good help him if he does something cheap to Michael Vick . . . Game within the game: who has more tackles, DeMeco Ryans or Stephen Tulloch?

Bye

vs. Atlanta, 1, Fox

All-time series: Eagles lead, 17-12-1

Last meeting: Sept. 18, 2011 - Falcons, 35-31

Three things: Matt Ryan is 0-2 as an NFL starter in his hometown . . . Matty Ice is coming off a career statistical year that ended with an ugly 24-2 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champs . . . Once again, Tony Gonzalez (age 36) has pledged this will be his final season. After 80 more catches a year ago, defensive players everywhere have their fingers crossed.

At New Orleans, 8:30, ESPN

All-time series: Eagles lead, 16-11

Last meeting: Sept. 20, 2009 - Saints, 48-22

Three things: A smart supermarket chain would give a free roll of Bounty paper towels if the Eagles win . . . With any luck, the Drew Brees' contract stalemate will go on and on and Chase Daniel will be running the Saints offense . . . The Daily News is imposing a limit of 12 Hurricanes on any Eagles fan wandering around Bourbon Street.

vs. Dallas, 4:15, Fox

All-time series: Cowboys lead, 59-47

Last meeting at site: Oct. 30, 2011 - Eagles, 34-7

Three things: This is a critical season for Tony Romo, who has only one career postseason win . . . Linebacker Dan Connor signed with the Cowboys. He could start alongside former Penn State teammate Sean Lee . . . Lost red-zone target Laurent Robinson to Jacksonville.

At Washington, 1, Fox

All-time series: Redskins lead, 79-71-6

Last meeting at site: Oct. 16, 2011 - Eagles 20-13

Three things: Could be the first installment of Robert Griffin III vs. Michael Vick. Would be fun . . . Running back Evan Royster, a Penn Stater, finished 2011 with consecutive 100-yard outings . . . Re-signed middle linebacker London Fletcher, who hasn't missed a game in his 14-year career - a remarkable streak of 224 games.

vs. Carolina, 8:30, ESPN

All-time series: Eagles lead, 5-2

Last meeting: Sept. 13, 2009 - Eagles, 38-10

Three things: The Panthers were 2-14 in 2010 and 6-10 last year. Thank you, Cam Newton . . . Coached by former Eagles assistant Ron Rivera . . . Signed former Charger Mike Tolbert to play fullback. At this point, they still plan to keep the running back combo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams.

At Dallas, 8:20, NBC

All-time series: Cowboys lead, 59-47

Last meeting at site: Dec. 24, 2011 - Eagles, 20-7

Three things: Romo's wife, Candice, gave birth to the couples' first child recently. Hawkins Romo came in at 8 pounds, 8 ounces - which just happens to be the uniform number of Dez Bryant . . . Signing former KC cornerback Brandon Carr improves the secondary . . . Can DeMarco Murray stay healthy?

At Tampa Bay, 1, Fox

All-time series: Eagles lead, 8-7

Last meeting: Oct. 11, 2009 - Eagles, 33-14

Three things: New coach Greg Schiano was 4-8 with Rutgers two years ago. The Scarlet Knights did bounce back by winning the 2011 Pinstripe Bowl, whatever the heck that is . . . The last time the Eagles visited Tampa, Bucs kicker Matt Bryant won it with a unfathomable 62-yard field goal as time ran out . . . Some feel the Bucs could use the fifth pick in this month's draft on Alabama running back Trent Richardson.

vs. Cincinnati, 8:30, NFLN

All-time series: Bengals lead, 7-3-1

Last meeting: Nov. 16, 2008 - Tied, 13-13

Three things: First meeting since Donovan McNabb figured out regular season games can end in a tie . . . Hopefully, Terrell Owens has a big year in that semipro league he's in and is back with the Bengals for this game . . . Fantasy sleeper alert for Cincy running back Bernard Scott.

vs. Washington, 1, Fox

All-time series: Redskins lead, 79-71-6

Last meeting at site: Jan. 1, 2012 - Eagles, 34-10

Three things: The Eagles will have a rare chance to beat a team three times in the same calendar year . . . NFL scouts love that Robert Griffin III's parents served a combined 33 years in the military and that discipline was a huge part of his upbringing . . . The Redskins haven't won a playoff game since the 2005 season.

At NY Giants, 1, Fox

All-time series: Giants lead, 83-75-2

Last meeting at site: Nov. 20, 2011 - Eagles, 17-10

Three things: Wide receiver Victor Cruz is due to make $540,000 this year. And DeSean Jackson thought he was underpaid . . . Bruising running back Brandon Jacobs signed with San Fran. Good riddance . . . Eli Manning wins two Super Bowls and, still, the only quarterback they're talking about in New York is Tim Tebow.