December 25, 2023
Bill Streicher/USA Today Sports
The Eagles can guarantee at least one home playoff game if they do their job the rest of the way.
The Eagles finally righted the ship Monday evening (in typical ugly fashion), and after a 33-25 win over the Giants. Thanks to the Dolphins comeback win over Dallas earlier in Week 16, Philly is on top in the NFC East and still technically alive for any of the top three seeds in the playoffs.
If the playoffs began today (which of course, they do not), the Eagles would be the 3-seed, and host the Rams on Wild Card weekend. But things are close:
The No. 1 seed is an uphill battle, but after the Niners loss late Monday night Philly has new life in the hunt for the top spot. The Eagles would need to beat the Cardinals and the Giants to finish their slate and the Niners would need to lose at least one more time before the end of the regular season. A look at the race for No. 1:
| Team | Record | GB |
| 49ers | 11-4 | — |
| Lions | 11-4 | — |
| Eagles | 11-4 | — |
| Cowboys | 10-5 | 1 |
By virtue of their loss to San Francisco a few weeks ago the Eagles would lose a tiebreaker to the Niners should they finish with the same record. So a loss to the Commanders (unlikely) or to the Rams (possible?) is required for the Birds to have a much-coveted first round bye.
Due to tie-breaking procedures, the Lions would have the No. 2 seed if both the Eagles and Detroit finished with the same record, so the Eagles need to win out, and have the Lions lose at least one of their final two games. Interestingly they play the Cowboys next week — a game that will have gigantic implications for the Eagles playoff seeding.
Rooting for the Cowboys, interestingly enough, would bring Eagles fans a better outcome, as it would help the Eagles secure the 2-seed. As we'll mention later, the Eagles would win a tie-breaker if the two top NFC East teams finish the season with the same record. Which is Detroit winning is more helpful than hurtful.
Just for some reference here's what all of the teams we mentioned have remaining:
| Team | Opponents |
| Eagles | ARI, NYG |
| Cowboys | DET, WAS |
| 49ers | WAS, LAR |
| Lions | DAL, MIN |
The Eagles need to win the NFC East to clinch at least one home game, and potentially two in the NFC playoffs. They will be able to do that by winning their next two games. If that happens they will definitely assure that they have a better record against the Cowboys who trail by one in the win and loss column. Their tiebreak (you can read more about it here) will give them the division title. The Eagles can also win the NFC East with one win, and one Dallas loss.
Philly has already clinched a playoff spot, and the teams chasing the final two NFC Wild Card spots cannot catch the Eagles or Cowboys. So in the worst remaining timeline, the Eagles lose both of their last two games and the Cowboys win their last two games — giving the Cowboys a 12-5 record and Eagles 11-6. Philly would have the 5-seed and likely would travel to Tampa on Wild Card weekend. This is the only situation that sees the Eagles without a home playoff game.
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