The Philadelphia Eagles would’ve preferred a Carolina Panthers win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday but the silver lining from a Panthers loss is that the Birds have officially clinched no worse than the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff picture.
There was previously a chance (albeit a very small one) that the Eagles could fall to No. 4 and thus have to host the No. 5 seed in the Wild Card round. But that scenario is now dead.
Getting back to the Seahawks, the Eagles would’ve preferred a Seattle loss
because it would’ve given Philly another path to the No. 2 seed.
Now the Eagles are down to precisely one path to the No. 2 seed. All of the following must occur:
- Eagles beat the Buffalo Bills in Week 17, Eagles beat the Washington Commanders in Week 18
- Bears lose to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17, Bears lose to the Detroit Lions in Week 18
Unlikely? Yes. Impossible? Hardly.
The Eagles must do their part by beating the Bills.
Otherwise, an Eagles loss today OR a Bears win on Sunday Night Football means the Eagles are locked into No. 3.
Which might not be the worst development since it would allow the Eagles to rest their starters with nothing to play for in Week 18.
