The Eagles are getting closer-and-closer to locking up a trip to the postseason.
It might not have been pretty to watch (at least early on), but the Eagles win over the Giants on Sunday was a big one. That win, combined with the Minnesota Vikings loss to the Los Angeles Rams, puts the Eagles into the final Wild Card spot and control of their own destiny.
Here is a look at the standings:
Current standings:
1 Green Bay Packers (12-3)
2 Dallas Cowboys (11-4)
3 Los Angeles Rams (11-4)
4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4)
5 Arizona Cardinals (10-5)
6 San Francisco 49ers (8-7)
7 Eagles (8-7)
9 New Orleans Saints (7-7)
8 Minnesota Vikings (7-8)
The Eagles not only hold the final spot, but they have the tie breaker over New Orleans Saints, giving them a huge advantage in their quest to make the playoffs. They now have a 60% chance to make the playoffs, according to 538. Win next week against Washington and that number skyrockets to 84%.
The simplest past to the playoffs for the Eagles is just to win the next two games. Win the next two and they are going back to the postseason for the first time since 2019, and the fourth time in the last five seasons.
The Eagles could clinch a playoff spot next week if they win and a few things break their way.
First, they need the Saints to lose either on Monday night against the Dolphins or next week Panthers. Then, the Eagles need to beat Washington. If they take care of business against Washington, they would then need the Packers to beat the Vikings and the 49ers to beat the Houston Texans.
If those four things happen, all of which are fairly likely, the Eagles are guaranteed a trip to the playoffs.
The Eagles also have some paths to the playoffs at 9-8.
They would get in at 9-8 if Minnesota splits their final two games and the 49ers lose both of their remaining two games. They could also get in one of those things happen and the Saints split their final two games.
There is also a shot the Eagles could end up as high as the 5th or 6th seed.
If the Eagles win the next two games they would finish 10-7. They would need the 49ers, who own the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Eagles, to finish 9-8. The 49ers are currently 8-7 with games against the Texans and Rams left. The Texans should be an easy win, but the Rams — in Los Angeles — is not.
Another outcome that seemed crazy just a few weeks ago is the Eagles finishing 5th. If the Eagles win their final two, and Arizona (vs. Dallas and the Seahawks) lose their final two, the Eagles would have the top Wild Card spot. That outcome actually isn’t super crazy, considering the Eagles are playing well and the Cardinals seem to be falling apart.
What will happen remains to be seen, but with two weeks to go, the Eagles have plenty of paths into the postseason — and it is looking more-and-more like they will be playing playoff football.
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!