The Philadelphia Eagles have been on a historic tear. After a troubling 2-2 start, the Eagles have won nine games in a row, tying the longest winning streak in franchise history.
That has already clinched the Birds a playoff berth, but Philly is seeking more. Using the PFN Playoff Predictor, what are the Eagles’ chances of earning the No. 1 seed and winning the division?
Philadelphia Eagles Playoff Situation | Week 15 Update
NFC Scores in Week 15 Relevant to Playoff Race
- Rams defeated 49ers, 12-6
- Commanders defeated Saints, 20-19
- Cowboys defeated Panthers, 30-14
- Buccaneers defeated Chargers, 40-17
- Cardinals defeated Patriots, 30-17
- Bills defeated Lions, 48-42
- Eagles defeated Steelers, 27-13
- Packers defeated Seahawks, 30-13
- Falcons defeated Raiders, 15-9
- Vikings defeated Bears, 30-12
The Commanders’ win on Sunday means the Eagles cannot clinch the NFC East in Week 15. They can in Week 16 with a victory over the Commanders.
Beyond the NFC East, can they work their way up to the No. 1 seed in the NFC? Yes — with the Lions’ loss and the Eagles’ win on Sunday, Philadelphia is very much alive for the NFC’s top seed.
Can the Eagles Clinch the NFC’s No. 1 Seed?
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Eagles a 33% chance to earn the NFC’s top seed. Those are the second-best odds behind the Detroit Lions (42.4%).
Both teams are 12-2. But the Lions currently hold the tie-breaker over the Eagles thanks to their better conference record with three weeks to go in the regular season. With the Vikings also at 12-2, the Eagles will need them to lose at least one more game.
It gets a little interesting because the Lions and Vikings face off in Week 18. If both of those teams win their next two games, the NFC North will come down to that game, even if the Eagles also win their next two games.
But if one of those teams enters Week 18 with three losses and Philadelphia wins both of their games, they’ll need to root for the other team to lose, so both teams will have three losses. This would allow the Eagles to sneak into the top seed with just two losses.
The Eagles have the 11th-easiest remaining strength of schedule. Their most difficult remaining game was in Week 15 against the Steelers, though a road rematch against the Commanders also looms.
It’s crazy to think that the Vikings could be the number one seed, but there’s also a world where they are the seventh seed if they lose their remaining three games against Seattle, Green Bay, and Detroit.
But if they win their next two and the Lions win their next two? Week 18 will be a winner-take-all scenario where the victor will be the number one seed and the NFC North Division winner — even if the Philadelphia Eagles (12-2) win out.
There is so much to unpack, so head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor, where you can choose who will win the remaining NFL games to see how each game can impact the NFL playoff picture.
