Schedule Hunting: Are We At Division or Bust for the Birds?
With the bye week behind them, the Philadelphia Eagles return back to the Nova Care Complex tied for the division lead. After two big victories leading up to the bye and a Vikings victory over the Cowboys Sunday night, the Eagles and Cowboys are tied at 5-4 for the NFC East lead. Always nice to end up tied for first after putting in no work that week!
Just when many people were calling the season over, the Eagles are right back in the hunt for a playoff spot(We will spare you the justwhenIthoughtIWasOut.gif). That playoff spot is becoming more likely win the division or go home. The NFC West & NFC North seem to be running away with the two wildcard spots, so the Eagles need to focus on their guaranteed route to the playoffs. A division win.
Now, a wild card spot isn’t too far fetched for the Eagles. But, a lot has to happen for that to work. Minnesota would have to lose 4 of their last 6 games and Seattle would have to lose 5 of their last 7 games starting tonight against the 49ers. It becomes even cloudier with Seattle and Minnesota playing in week 13 where one team will get a win.
For the Eagles, they now face two huge home games to keep their slightest wild card chances alive. First, against the AFC leading New England Patriots. Followed by a matchup against wild card holders, the Seattle Seahawks. But, is a win crucial in either one of these two games?
Shockingly, the answer is no.
Now, let’s face it, confidence in a playoff run IS low if they lose both. To be a contender, you need to beat contenders. But, mathematically they are far from out if the double dip in losses occurs.
Even with loses to both the Patriots & Seahawks, the Eagles would still be in a good position for a playoff spot. The games the Eagles must win come later in the season. The must win games the Eagles need are the four divisional games to end the season. None bigger than week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Eagles are in a weird spot in the standings right now with their tied opponents the Dallas Cowboys.
With the Cowboys having already played four of their six divisional games, the Eagles know what they have to match. The only way for the Eagles to beat the Cowboys in a tiebreaker for the division is to win all four remaining divisional games, including against the Cowboys in week 16. A second loss in the division would be a killer to their divisional hopes.
Even if the Eagles and Cowboys split their regular season matchup, the next tiebreaker would be division record. Which, if a second loss, the Cowboys would win 5-1 vs 4-2. Unless you have faith in Washington going to Dallas in week 17 and beating the Cowboys. If the Eagles can get to the third tiebreaker, they would be in the drivers seat.
The third tiebreaker is common opponent record. The Eagles currently lead the Cowboys in, 4-2 vs 1-3. With the Eagles playing mainly out of their division to start the season, they can now focus on what they know they have to do to win the division.
For the Eagles, it’s so simple. Win the four remaining divisional games and the tiebreakers will be in their favor. For Dallas, they would need to first sweep their four remaining common opponents. Which includes winning three games on the road against Detroit, New England, & Chicago. Plus, they would need the Miami Dolphins help in week 13 to beat the Eagles to push to the 4th tiebreaker.
With the way the season is going, the NFC East could come down to tiebreakers. If the Eagles beat the Cowboys in December, they pretty much own them all.
But, is a win crucial for the Eagles in the next two weeks to keep their season alive? No.
Dallas still has two very tough games themselves vs the Patriots and the Rams. If the Eagles falter now, their season would still be as alive in two weeks as it is right now. Would just be win or go home.
It’s hard to even imagine the blowback the Birds will catch if they drop these next two. They should probably just win the damn thing and run the table. But if they don’t, all hope is not lost.