Don’t want to hear about the Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff outlook after an unacceptable loss to the Seattle Seahawks?
Can’t blame you.
But the reality is this team is going to be in the postseason after officially clinching a spot on Sunday.
We now know they won’t be the No. 1 seed.
It was an unlikely outcome after losing to both the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys. But, in theory, there was a possibility of the Eagles winning out and the Niners dropping a game. Philly is still mathematically alive for the top spot … but they’d need more help than they’re realistically going to get. Their hopes of a first-round bye are down to 3%, according to the New York Times playoff simulator. Had they beaten Seattle, they would’ve been at 28%.
The Cowboys losing to the Buffalo Bills gave the Eagles more margin for error when it comes to winning the NFC East.
If the Eagles win out, they’ll likely win the division. On paper, their final three games should be winnable: vs. New York Giants, vs. Arizona Cardinals, at New York Giants. Of course, it’s hard to trust the Eagles to take care of business after watching them lose three straight.
#Eagles have lost control of the number 2 seed. If DET wins out, the number 2 seed is theirs.
If both Eagles and Dallas win out, the strength of victory race (graphic below which includes what would be all the uncommon wins) will determine NFC East. Eagles have a decent lead. pic.twitter.com/v7Xmo2su2S— Deniz Selman (@denizselman33) December 19, 2023
It’s even more difficult to trust the current version of the Eagles to beat a playoff team.
The only hope is that there’s time before the postseason starts and it’s possible that the light goes on for this team before then. But it feels naive to believe that’s going to happen.
It’s quite possible that a season that was supposed to be about getting back to the Super Bowl and winning this time will end in a one-and-done playoff appearance.
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
THE TOP SEVEN
DIVISION LEADERS
1 – San Francisco 49ers: 11-3
2 – Dallas Cowboys: 10-4
3 – Detroit Lions: 10-4
4 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-7
WILD CARDS
5 – Philadelphia Eagles: 10-4
6 – Minnesota Vikings: 7-7
7 – Los Angeles Rams: 7-7
…
IN THE HUNT
8 – Seattle Seahawks: 7-7
9 – New Orleans Saints: 7-7
10 – Atlanta Falcons: 6-8
11 – Green Bay Packers: 6-8
ON LIFE SUPPORT
12 – New York Giants: 5-9
13 – Chicago Bears: 5-9
OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED
14 – Washington Commanders: 4-10
15 – Arizona Cardinals: 3-11
16 – Carolina Panthers: 2-12
