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.
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What are the scenarios in the event we beat Dallas and become the #2 seed? Who would we play at home? I'd love to get Dallas again but curious what other fans think?— pburns2- #2 seed is there for the taking so i would always play for that. Lets hope they get back to basics and run the football for 4 quarters and get some stops on D, thats all that is required to be the cowgurls.— xlGmanlx
- Would love to see the Birds have to go to Minn after this Sunday's beating. Than we could repeat the process, when you come back for your third Dallas beating, for all the NFC marbles. Already sold this Sunday's game for a nice profit and would love to ring the bell hosting the Championship. Go Boy's!— dtraeger
- himills is just scared of the winning streak. I'm betting you agree with what the Colts did too. Better to get the lose when you can come back and play another game than when it means the end of you season. Stupid thinking but I understand it. Really not correct either since one game has little to do with the next.— briandor
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- So the only way for a home game is for the birds to beat dallas? All other scenerios have the eagles traveling for opening round games. Wow. What a huge game.— lotto
- It's not a LOCK that the C-girls will beat the Birds. Too much at stake..... redemption, #2 seed and the Eagles are playing their best ball right now which is better than the other 5 playoff teams. Eagles win this one 35-28! Book it!!— walt1
- Thanks for the headache Sheil, heh, heh!— DJ
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- No! The only way we play Dallas in back to back weeks is if we lose! If we win we are off while Dallas has to play someone. Therefore the comment about not showing too much this weeks is inaccurate. Show it all, win it all.— Malcolm65
- himills - do you even read what you write? "I just can't see the Eagles winning three emotionally intense and challenging games in a row." So.....if they intentionally lose this game then they have to win 3 emotionally intense games ....in a row....on the road! Wow!— Malcolm65
- Hey Coniglio - Great Line - still laughing - "...as an Eagles fan, you should be rooting against Dallas even if they played Al Qaeda."
- If the real Eagles show up we can dominate the Cowboys. This up and down stuff has got to stop.— RandallFan12
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