Eagles in position for No. 2 seed after Vikes' loss
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Eagles in position for No. 2 seed after Vikes' loss
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
In what can only be described as one of the most wildly entertaining games of the season, the Bears handed the Vikings a 36-30 overtime loss Monday night at Soldier Field.
What does this mean for the Eagles?
With a win over the Cowboys next weekend, the Birds will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC, meaning a first-round bye and a game at the Linc in the divisional round. The Eagles now control their own fate.
After starting the season 10-1, the Vikings (11-4) have lost three of their last four. If the Eagles and Vikings win next weekend, both teams would finish 12-4, and the Birds own the tiebreaker. If the Eagles win and the Vikings lose, well, obviously the Birds would have the edge for the No. 2 seed.
The Vikings' loss also means that the Saints have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
As if Sunday's matchup in Dallas weren't already big enough, the stakes just got a little bit higher. As you'll see at the bottom, the Cowboys still have a shot at the No. 2 seed too.
There are now three different scenarios (barring ties) for the Eagles on wild-card weekend:
* The Eagles could have a bye as the No. 2 seed.
* The Eagles could travel to Dallas to face the Cowboys as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
* The Eagles could travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed.
Here's an updated look:
How can the Eagles get the No. 2 seed?
A win in Dallas against the Cowboys. That's it.
How can the Eagles drop to the No. 5 seed and play the Cowboys?
If the Vikings beat the Giants AND the Cowboys beat the Eagles AND the Cardinals beat the Packers, the Birds would travel to Dallas in the first round as the No. 5 seed.
How can the Eagles drop to the No. 6 seed and play the Cowboys?
If the Vikings beat the Giants AND the Cowboys beat the Eagles AND the Packers beat the Cardinals, Dallas is the No. 3 seed and hosts the Birds in the wild-card round.
How can the Eagles drop to the No. 5 seed and play the Vikings?
If the Vikings lose to the Giants AND the Cowboys beat the Eagles AND the Cardinals beat the Packers, Arizona earns the No. 2 seed, and the Birds travel to Minnesota in the wild-card round.
How can the Eagles drop to the No. 6 seed and play the Vikings?
If the Vikings lose to the Giants AND the Cowboys beat the Eagles AND the Packers beat the Cardinals, Dallas earns the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. The Eagles would then travel to Minnesota in the wild-card round.
kjuggs77 I agree. We need this win bad, and it gives us the East crown. We lose this, and worse than losing the bye and home field advantage, we may actually give the cowboys confidence, something they haven't had in awhile. And they definitely didn't look great in the win over Washington, I mean they only put up 17 pts. But their D is good, and the way we have been tackling scares me against a fast guy in Austin- yeah I hate the guy(he is like the A-rod of fball and on the same d-bag team, but he has made some plays this year. I am worried if this becomes a Defensive battle, that we don't win it. I am also anxious to see how we do with Cole in there. Our O sputtered when Jackson came out- we really only put together that drive to win it at the end. Literally a loss here couldn't be more painful- lose to the cowgirls 2x, lose the division, lose the 2 seed and the bye, lose home field advantage. We HAVE to win this one. Go Birds!!!— Knock0ut12- Dallas could be the best team in the NFC as of now, and we want to avoid playing them in the playoffs. Let them get beat up against MN or GB, and we can go all the way.— FloridaBrian
- Dallas best team in the NFC?? You're on something.. they have a couple wins in a row and they are the best in the NFC? lol! If there was ONE team I'd pick NOT to make it to the NFC championship, it'd be Dallas.— PhillyFanInPhoenix
- If we can run the left side trap with Cole at center, I think we should be okay. Will have to lay off the wildcat until his snapping improves.— StorminNorman
- Hey philyfaninphoenix, what makes you think that cowboys will choke?— robertjarhead
- hey philly449, what makes you sure that cowboys will choke?— robertjarhead
- hey maddy44, do you really think cole will be able to handle jay ratliff?— robertjarhead
- There's no choking necessary for them to lose. They simply are not as good as any other team in the playoffs. Yes, any team can beat any other team any given Sunday, but as far as talent and coaching and quarterbacks, Dallas is at the bottom of the list in the NFC. So might they get lucky and win a game? Sure, it's possible. However, they won't win 3 in a row against good teams to win the NFC Championship.— PhillyFanInPhoenix
- hey philly10, what makes you think you can win in dallas?— robertjarhead
- hey phillyTrue, do you really think the eagles can win in dallas. Cole will have a hard time handling ratliff>— robertjarhead
- hey aman1711, do you think McNabb will choke in dallas?— robertjarhead
- Who the hell are the God Damn Cowboys. FCK the Cowboys!— eaglelover1979
- hey phillyhoodlum22, do you really think the eagles have a chance in dallas?— robertjarhead
- hey PhillyFanInPhoenix, do you believe mcnabb will be able to handle the cowboys defense. They are playing good defense & romo is playing lot better this year. It's going to be very hard for cole to handle jay ratliff. I hope someone is going to be able to block him. Don't forget witten. he's kill the eagles defense in the past.— robertjarhead
- hey johnnyem, do you believe mcnabb will be able to handle the cowboys defense. They are playing good defense & romo is playing lot better this year. It's going to be very hard for cole to handle jay ratliff. I hope someone is going to be able to block him. Don't forget witten. he's kill the eagles defense in the past.— robertjarhead
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