Despite still being tied for the best record in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles have tumbled all the way to the fifth-seed in the NFC following back-to-back losses to the 49ers and Cowboys.
The good news is the Eagles still control their own destiny in the NFC East thanks to a pair of divisional games down the stretch, but they would need some help from the 49ers if they want to recapture the top spot in the conference.
Despite the Lions sitting just a game behind the top three teams in the NFC, only the Cowboys and 49ers could affect the Eagles seeding this week, so we will focus on those scenarios:
1. Eagles, 49ers and Cowboys all win (or lose)
If all three teams have the same result this weekend, nothing will change in the NFC standings.
The 49ers will remain the one-seed based off their head-to-head win over the Cowboys and the Cowboys would still lead the Eagles in the NFC East due to having one more division win than Philadelphia, albeit with one more game played.
2. Eagles and 49ers win, Cowboys lose
If this were to occur, the Eagles would overtake the Cowboys in the division with a better record, but still be stuck behind the 49ers thanks to that head-to-head loss.
Assuming the Eagles can take care of business against the Giants in Weeks 16 and 18, this would essentially give them a two-game lead on the Cowboys with the divisional win tiebreaker in hand.
3. Eagles and Cowboys win, 49ers lose
The 49ers would fall to the second seed if they lose and either the Cowboys or Eagles win to improve to 11-3 this weekend.
A 49ers loss is necessary for either NFC East team to takeover the top spot, however this week would be shocking as they travel to Arizona as 12.5-point favorites over the Cardinals.
4. 49er and Cowboys win, Eagles lose
This would be a disastrous situation for the Eagles who would no longer control their own destiny heading into the final weeks of the season.
San Francisco would still hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Dallas and the Cowboys would have a one-game lead over the Eagles in the NFC East.
Because Philadelphia lost to San Francisco in Week 13, they will need to have a better record than the Niners to get a higher seed based on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
5. Eagles win, 49ers and Cowboys lose
If the Cowboys lose to the Bills (somewhat likely), and the 49ers lose to the Cardinals (it could happen?), The Eagles would have a shot to retake the top spot in the NFC based solely on record if they can beat the Seahawks on Monday Night Football.
Philadelphia would need Dallas to lose one of their last three games to have a chance of winning the division for the second straight year.
So in this case, the 11-3 Eagles would have the one-seed, the 10-4 49ers would fall to the two-seed and Dallas would tumble to the fifth-seed with their fourth loss.
6. 49ers win, Eagles and Cowboys lose
A dream scenario for San Francisco, the 49ers would essentially have a two-game lead for the top seed in the NFC with three weeks to play.
As for the NFC East race, the Eagles could still win the division if they win their final three games, based on their strength of victory since both they and the Cowboys would have one loss in the division and three losses in the conference.
7. Cowboys win, Eagles and 49ers lose
This is the only way the Cowboys could take the top seed at the conclusion of Week 15, with a better record than the 49ers and Eagles, no tiebreakers necessary.
The Eagles could also clinch their playoff berth this weekend if one of the following scenarios occurs:
1. PHI win or tie
2. GB loss + ATL loss or tie + LAR loss or tie
3. GB loss + ATL loss or tie + SF win or tie + DET win
4. TB loss + MIN loss or tie + LAR loss or tie
5. TB loss + MIN loss or tie + SF win or tie + DET win
6. MIN loss or tie + ATL loss or tie + LAR loss or tie
7. MIN loss or tie + ATL loss or tie + SF win or tie + DET win
8. TB-GB tie + LAR loss or tie
9. TB-GB tie + SF win or tie + DET win