NFC Playoff Picture: Eagles Gain Advantage with Cowboys' Loss to Lions
The Philadelphia Eagles might not be choking away their NFC East lead after all. Despite recent concerns following two consecutive losses, the Birds can now breathe a sigh of relief.
The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, are not out of the woods just yet. Their three-game winning streak came to an abrupt end on Thursday night with a loss to the Detroit Lions.
This result is significant for the Eagles, as their path to securing the division title has become clearer. With the Cowboys' loss, the Eagles' magic number to win the NFC East has decreased to just three games.
Here's how it works: If the Eagles win three out of their final five games, they will clinch the NFC East, regardless of the Cowboys' performance. Even if Dallas goes undefeated for the rest of the season, the Eagles' superior record will secure their division title.
The Cowboys' remaining schedule is relatively manageable, with the second-easiest strength of schedule in the NFL. Their upcoming games include:
- Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings
- Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
- Week 17: at Washington Commanders
- Week 18: vs. New York Giants
A single loss in this stretch would be advantageous for the Eagles, as it would require them to win just two of their final five games to guarantee a home playoff game.
The Eagles' schedule, in contrast, is a bit more challenging, but they remain in the running for the No. 1 seed. They need to win more than just the division to secure a first-round bye. Beating the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night would be a significant step towards that goal, reducing their magic number to win the division to just two games.
Now, let's revisit the Cowboys. It would be quite amusing if they went undefeated and still missed the playoffs, resulting in the least favorable first-round pick (No. 18 overall) for a non-postseason team. This scenario highlights the complexity of the NFC playoff race.
Here's the current NFC playoff picture, with only the Cowboys and Lions having played in Week 14:
Projected Playoff Teams:
Division Leaders:
1. Chicago Bears: 9-3
2. Los Angeles Rams: 9-3
3. Philadelphia Eagles: 8-4
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-5
Wild Card Teams:
5. Seattle Seahawks: 9-3
6. Green Bay Packers: 8-3-1
7. San Francisco 49ers: 9-4
On the Outside Looking In:
8. Detroit Lions: 8-5
9. Carolina Panthers: 7-6
10. Dallas Cowboys: 6-6-1
Unserious Teams:
11. Atlanta Falcons: 4-8
12. Minnesota Vikings: 4-8
13. Washington Commanders: 3-9
Officially Eliminated:
13. Arizona Cardinals: 3-9
15. New Orleans Saints: 3-9
16. New York Giants: 2-11
The playoff picture is shaping up to be an exciting one, with the Eagles gaining a significant advantage over the Cowboys. Stay tuned as the season unfolds, and the battle for NFC supremacy continues!
