In this Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Football Team matchup, what are the playoff scenarios for both teams? Can the Eagles clinch a playoff spot this week and can Washington avoid being eliminated from playoff contention? With a number of teams sitting between 8-7 and 6-9 in the NFC, it looks likely that clinching a playoff spot will be decided by the NFL playoff tiebreakers.
Update: The Eagles have defeated Washington, 20-16. Playoff scenarios are listed below. For a complete up-to-date picture, visit our NFL Playoff Scenarios.
Eagles vs. Washington playoff implications and clinching scenarios
Week 17 could see the Eagles clinch a playoff spot as they enter the week as the seventh seed. However, they need a couple of things to go their way to make it happen. Meanwhile, entering the week at 6-9, Washington’s playoff hopes hang by a thread.
Let’s take a look at what both teams need to play out to either clinch or keep their scenarios alive.
What are the Eagles playoff scenarios in Week 17?
Entering Week 17, FiveThirtyEight’s playoff predictor has the Eagles with a 68% chance of making the playoffs. If Philadelphia wins out, they will earn a postseason berth. However, facing the Cowboys in Week 18, the Eagles may yet need some help to make it.
Philadelphia has an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot as early as this week. To make it happen, they need to win or tie at the very least. They would then need a combination of the Vikings, Saints, and Falcons to lose or tie. Here are the four scenarios that could see the Eagles clinch a playoff spot this week.
- Eagles win + Vikings loss (or tie) + Saints loss (or tie)
- Eagles win + Vikings loss (or tie) + 49ers win (or tie)
- Eagles tie + Vikings loss + Saints loss + Falcons loss (or tie)
- Eagles tie + Vikings loss + Saints tie + Falcons loss (or tie) + 49ers win (or tie)
The Eagles do not have an elimination scenario this week. However, a loss to Washington would deliver a hammer blow to their hopes. If they lose and the Vikings win, the Eagles would lose control of the seventh seed. That would mean even if they won in Week 18 against the Cowboys, they would not be guaranteed a playoff spot.
What are Washington’s playoff elimination scenarios in Week 17?
Washington has no choice but to win out if they want any chance of making the playoffs. A single loss — or a tie — would immediately eliminate them from playoff contention in 2021. As it stands, FiveThirtyEight’s playoff predictor has Washington with just a 7% chance of making the playoffs heading into Week 17. Paired with a WFT loss, the other two scenarios that would see Washington eliminated this week are:
- 49ers win (or tie) + Saints win + Falcons win (or tie)
- 49ers win (or tie) + Saints tie + Falcons win
If Washington can win this week, they still need a lot of help over the next two weeks. They need the teams above them to lose both games. What makes the situation more tricky is that the Falcons and Saints face off next week. If the Saints win a single game, they are in. However, as long as the Falcons lose this week, they can win in Week 18 and still afford Washington a chance to take the seventh seed.