Our 12-1 Philadelphia Eagles are rolling and are headed to the playoffs for their 5th time in 6 seasons. With a playoff berth locked up after their week 14 win over the New York Giants, sights are now set on a division title and the #1 seed.
The Eagles control their own destiny in the NFC, and there isn’t a single team that wants to see the road to Super Bowl 57 go through Philadelphia. Let’s look at the “KEI’s to clinching” heading into week 15!
How The Eagles Can Clinch The NFC East
With four weeks left in the NFL season, the Eagles have a 2-game division lead with a current tiebreaker over the Dallas Cowboys and a week 16 matchup pending. There are multiple scenarios in which the Eagles can clinch the NFC east. The Eagles’ remaining schedule involves road games against the Bears and Cowboys, then two road games against the Saints and Giants.
- They are better than all of these teams, and the only game worth worrying about is the Cowboys game.
- Even if they lose just 1 of 4, they’re in tremendous shape.
- The Cowboys remaining schedule has 3 out of 4 games on the road.
- They go to Doug’s Jaguars before hosting the Eagles, then go on the road to play the Titans and Commanders.
- Dallas is better than 3 of these teams, but the Jaguars game is a trap, their run defense can get exposed by Derrick Henry, and rival games are never an easy feat.
Scenario 1:
This scenario is the quickest and easiest. The Eagles could simply clinch the NFC east on Christmas Eve with back-to-back wins over the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. Depending on what the Cowboys do against the Jaguars, this would give the Eagles a 3-4 game lead with 2 weeks to go. This scenario also ensures the Eagles go into the postseason the healthiest, allowing them to rest most of their starters in week 18.
Scenario 2:
The 2nd scenario would be a bit more annoying for Eagles fans. If the Eagles split the Bears and Cowboys games, they would have to win 1 of their last 2 to clinch the NFC east. If the Eagles’ loss in that stretch is to the Bears, they’d have to win 1 of their last two and what the Cowboys do is irrelevant. They’d end the season 14-3 in this scenario and the best the Cowboys would finish is 13-4, giving them the NFC east. If the Eagles’ loss is to the Cowboys, it gets a little more complex. Winning out would ensure a division win, or splitting their last 2, with the Cowboys losing at least 1 of their last 2.
Scenario 3:
In the scary chance that the Eagles lose BOTH games to the Bears and Cowboys, they’d have to win their last 2, finishing them at 14-3. They would also need the Cowboys to lose 1 of their last 4, finishing them at 13-4. Both schedules ensure this is doable if this occurs.
Scenario 4:
If this scenario happens, Eagles fans may need therapy. If the Eagles collapse at the end of the season and lose 3 of their last 4, they would finish 13-4. They would need the Cowboys to lose at least 2 of their last 4, finishing 12-5, to win the NFC east.
Scenario 5:
This last scenario is hysterical. If the Eagles lose out, they’d finish 12-5. They would need the Cowboys to lose 3 of their last 4, finishing 11-6, to win the NFC east. If this happens, I may retire from watching football. I’m not kidding.
How The Eagles Can Clinch The #1 Seed
With four weeks left in the NFL season, the Eagles have a 2-game conference lead over the Minnesota Vikings with the head-to-head tiebreaker, in virtue of their 24-7 win in week 2.
They essentially have a 3-game lead, and there are multiple scenarios in which the Eagles can clinch the #1 seed as well. The Vikings remaining schedule has two home games against the Colts and Giants, then two road games against the Packers and Bears. Divisional games are tough, and the Giants will be fighting for a wild card spot, so the Vikings could very much slip up here.
Scenario 1:
If the Eagles win back-to-back games against the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys, it’s over. There is nothing the Vikings can do about the #1 seed. This would make the Eagles 14-1. Even if the Eagles lost their last two games and ended the season 14-3, the Vikings can only match that record if they win out. The head-to-head tiebreaker takes favor here.
Scenario 2:
The 2nd scenario would involve a mini-Eagles collapse in their last four games. The Eagles would have to win at least 1 of their last four games, putting them at 13-4. They would have to hope the Cowboys lose at least one game (if the Eagles win against them) or two games (if the Eagles lose to them). They would need the Vikings to lose at least one game as well. This scenario sounds like an absolute headache and involves the Eagles’ fate in the hands of another team. Avoid this at all costs, Eagles!
Scenario 3:
This scenario is hilarious and unlikely. The Eagles could still clinch the one seed if they lose out, putting them at 12-5. However, this would require the Vikings and 49ers to lose at least 2 of their last four games, and the Cowboys would have to lose at least 3 of their last 4.
The Giants or Commanders wouldn’t be able to catch the Eagles in this wonky scenario if they win out, thanks to their tie and the upcoming matchup with each other. If it comes down to this scenario, the Eagles do not deserve to be in the playoffs.
It’s time to make sure the road to Super Bowl 57 goes through Philadelphia. Go birds.
