Things have imploded the last two weeks in the NFC, and that just involves the Philadelphia Eagles.
Just two weeks ago, the reigning NFC champions appeared to be destined to lock up the conference’s top seed at 10-1. But now, the Eagles are involved in a three-way logjam for the conference’s best record — and facing the possibility of even losing ground in the NFC East title race.
How Have the Philadelphia Eagles Imploded the Last Couple Weeks?
The Eagles have faced the two biggest threats to their conference throne the past two weeks.
Philly has now been outscored 75-32 in blowout losses to the San Francisco 49ers and, on Sunday Night Football, the rival Dallas Cowboys in a 33-13 defeat. Here’s how it’s all unraveled the last two weeks for Philly:
- Opposing quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott have gone off on the Eagles’ secondary. They combined for six touchdown passes in Philly’s losing skid.
- Despite gaining 106 yards rushing and averaging 4.6 yards per carry on SNF, the Eagles have a running game that hasn’t broken off many long runs. Both the 49ers and Cowboys didn’t allow a single run to surpass 16 yards.
- Philly has suddenly struggled with finding the end zone, let alone getting inside the red zone. The Eagles have taken a combined five trips inside their opponents’ 20-yard line but have only capitalized with just two touchdowns the last two weeks.
- The Eagles, again, have underwhelmed against the pass. The Niners and Cowboys have combined for 25 first downs off of passing attempts. And, after three straight weeks of surrendering below 200 aerial yards, the 49ers and Cowboys averaged 283 yards against this pass defense.
Prescott even threaded the needle with two Eagles in the vicinity and still getting near the goal line.
What a strike by Dak Prescott who hits Brandin Cooks after the perfect post route! pic.twitter.com/SpncaFAbwQ
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 11, 2023
And that led to this, a clear communication breakdown on the short Michael Gallup score.
The #DallasCowboys punctuate a statement first half with a Dak Prescott to Michael Gallup TD❕ pic.twitter.com/GeR92ReIBL
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 11, 2023
Worse for Philly, the Eagles showed an inability to take care of the football against their rivals, losing the ball three times.
3️⃣ turnovers forced by the #DallasCowboys defense on #SNF❕pic.twitter.com/BBHdpSsQ8I
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 11, 2023
Can the Eagles Still Win the Division? Or Does the Road Get Harder?
As the Eagles have witnessed an internal implosion, now comes the burning question: Is it panic time in the City of Brotherly Love? And can they still win the division?
In looking ahead, the Eagles still very much control their own destiny.
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Philly’s gauntlet no longer includes any of the remaining league’s best. Next up is a suddenly struggling Seattle Seahawks team that’s lost four in a row but is still alive in the playoff race at 6-7. From there, the Eagles have two contests with the currently 5-8 New York Giants and the 3-10 Arizona Cardinals. The Eagles are still in a position where they can finish 14-3 overall.
Dallas, however, can steal the division crown away from the Eagles if Philly loses at least once and the Cowboys win out. Philadelphia, however, still owns the tiebreaker off of having a better conference record compared to Dallas. All three Cowboys losses were against NFC teams. The Eagles only own two NFC losses — which have arrived in the last two weeks.
For the Cowboys to snatch the division, they have to withstand a tougher road ahead. The 7-6 Buffalo Bills are next on Dec. 17 and just earned an emotional win over the defending Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs.
After that is the toughest remaining opponent left on the schedule, the 9-3 Miami Dolphins down in South Beach for Christmas Eve. Then, the NFC North leader the 9-4 Detroit Lions becomes the final member of this fierce three-team gauntlet before a season finale in Washington, D.C.
The Eagles, at this stage, will have to win out. That way, Philly prevents itself from traveling on Super Wild Card Weekend. Philly has already imploded in its last two games. They now need to explode against the remaining opponents to ensure the division doesn’t fall into the hands of their hated rival.
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