Despite not playing on Sunday, it was an eventful day for the Philadelphia Eagles and their playoff scenarios for this season. The morning started with Jalen Hurts being downgraded to questionable with an illness but ended with the Eagles clinching a playoff spot and back as the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Despite all of that, nothing has changed for the Eagles in terms of their playoff scenarios for this season. With the assistance of the free PFN NFL Playoff Predictor, let’s take a look at the Eagles’ playoff scenarios for the rest of the season.
Eagles Playoff Chances | Week 15 Update
Note that this article was originally published on Dec. 18 before Monday’s games began. The results of this week’s games are below and will continue to be updated throughout the day.
After the Monday Night Football Game in Week 15, the Eagles are now the No. 5 seed in the NFC after falling to the Seahawks.
Sunday Games Update
Bills (8-6) defeated Cowboys (10-4)
Monday Game Update
Seahawks (7-7) defeated Eagles (10-4)
Keep reading below to see the playoff scenarios for the Eagles entering Week 15. And head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to test various scenarios and see how they change the playoff picture.
What Are the Philadelphia Eagles’ Playoff Scenarios Entering Week 15?
The Eagles always knew that the right results could see them clinch a playoff spot without stepping foot on the field in Week 15. Ultimately it was the combination of the Green Bay Packers losing, the Atlanta Falcons losing, the San Francisco 49ers winning, and the Detroit Lions winning that clinched Philadelphia a spot in the postseason.
Now, the focus of their playoff scenarios changes to securing the NFC East and hunting down the 49ers for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Other than it looking better in the NFL standings, the Eagles jumping to the No. 2 seed has not significantly changed what they need to do this season.
MORE: Eagles vs. Seahawks Picks and Predictions
Philadelphia always knew that winning out would clinch the NFC East based on the “record against common opponents” NFL playoff tiebreaker. The Dallas Cowboys’ loss against the Buffalo Bills has seen the Eagles’ chances of winning the division according to ESPN’s Football Power Index climb to 82.8%.
What it has done is allow them some margin for error in terms of clinching the division in Weeks 15 and 17. If the Eagles lose to either the Seahawks or the Arizona Cardinals, then they will still clinch the division, regardless of the Cowboys’ results.
What has not changed is that the Eagles cannot afford to lose either of their games against the New York Giants in Weeks 16 or 18. If they do — and the Cowboys win out — Dallas will take the division thanks to a superior divisional record over the Eagles.
Where nothing has changed is the chase for the NFC No. 1 seed. The 49ers winning on Sunday has put them one step closer to clinching. If San Francisco wins out, Philadelphia cannot stop it from taking the top spot thanks to their head-to-head loss in Week 13. However, one loss for the 49ers puts the Eagles back in control.
MORE: NFL Playoff Bracket After Sunday of Week 15
If the Eagles win out and the 49ers drop a single game, Philadelphia will sit out Wild Card Weekend, and the NFC road to the Super Bowl will go through Lincoln Financial Field. The toughest test for the 49ers comes when they host the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens in Week 16.
After that, the 49ers finish with a road game against the Washington Commanders and at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Both are potential banana peels, but you would expect the 49ers to finish at worst 13-4. Therefore, anything less than 4-0 to finish the season will make it tough for the Eagles to lock up a first-round bye and home-field advantage this season.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!