Eagles Need Help to Reach the Playoffs
It hasn’t been easy, but the Eagles have assured themselves of playing meaningful football right down to the very end of the football season.
Heading into their final regular season game, Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. matchup in Landover Maryland against the Washington Redskins, the Eagles (8-7) are in the playoff hunt.
However, they don’t control their own destiny.
To earn a playoff berth, the Eagles need to win on Sunday and have the Chicago Bears (11-4) win Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. game at Minnesota against the 8-6-1 Vikings.
If Minnesota wins, the Eagles are eliminated from playoff contention, but if the Vikings lose and Eagles win, then the Birds will earn the sixth and final NFC spot.
The Eagles can only earn the No. 6 seed which means if they get in the playoffs, they would face one of two teams, either the LA Rams (12-3) or the Chicago Bears (11-4).
If the Bears win and the Rams lose, then Los Angeles will be the third seed and face the No. 6 seed (Eagles or Vikings) in the wildcard game.Article continues below
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If the Rams win, regardless of what Chicago does against Minnesota, then Los Angeles would earn the No. 2 seed, while the Chicago Bears would be the third seed.
The NFL wisely scheduled these three games - Eagles-Redskins, San Francisco 49ers (4-11) at LA Rams and Chicago at Minnesota all at 4:25 p.m.
Neither team will have an advantage by playing earlier.
While most people feel that Sunday’s game at the Redskins (7-8) won’t be that difficult, think again.
Yes, Washington has been eliminated from playoff considered, and the Skins have lost five of their last six including a 28-13 loss in Philadelphia on Dec. 3.
No team has suffered more key injuries than Washington. The quarterback is Josh Johnson, who was signed to play in the new Alliance of American Football League before the Redskins signed him earlier this month.
The Redskins were so banged up at quarterback that before going to Johnson, they were using former Eagle Mark Sanchez, whose better days are long gone.
Last week Washington lost 25-16 at Tennessee, which his in the AFC playoff hunt. Again, the game was much closer, but the Titans scored on an interception return as time expired.
Washington played so hard against the Titans. Eagles may wonder if that same desire will be there now that the Redskins are eliminated from playoff consideration.
Figure for the Redskins to play tough, but their patched up offensive line should have trouble facing the Eagles.
So it would be a shock if the Eagles lose. And don’t be surprised if many Eagles fans flip the channel to watch the Bears-Vikings game.
For one week, the Bears will be Philadelphia’s second favorite team.
© SouthJersey.com 2018. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
Heading into their final regular season game, Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. matchup in Landover Maryland against the Washington Redskins, the Eagles (8-7) are in the playoff hunt.
However, they don’t control their own destiny.
To earn a playoff berth, the Eagles need to win on Sunday and have the Chicago Bears (11-4) win Sunday’s 4:25 p.m. game at Minnesota against the 8-6-1 Vikings.
If Minnesota wins, the Eagles are eliminated from playoff contention, but if the Vikings lose and Eagles win, then the Birds will earn the sixth and final NFC spot.
The Eagles can only earn the No. 6 seed which means if they get in the playoffs, they would face one of two teams, either the LA Rams (12-3) or the Chicago Bears (11-4).
If the Bears win and the Rams lose, then Los Angeles will be the third seed and face the No. 6 seed (Eagles or Vikings) in the wildcard game.
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If the Rams win, regardless of what Chicago does against Minnesota, then Los Angeles would earn the No. 2 seed, while the Chicago Bears would be the third seed.
The NFL wisely scheduled these three games - Eagles-Redskins, San Francisco 49ers (4-11) at LA Rams and Chicago at Minnesota all at 4:25 p.m.
Neither team will have an advantage by playing earlier.
While most people feel that Sunday’s game at the Redskins (7-8) won’t be that difficult, think again.
Yes, Washington has been eliminated from playoff considered, and the Skins have lost five of their last six including a 28-13 loss in Philadelphia on Dec. 3.
No team has suffered more key injuries than Washington. The quarterback is Josh Johnson, who was signed to play in the new Alliance of American Football League before the Redskins signed him earlier this month.
The Redskins were so banged up at quarterback that before going to Johnson, they were using former Eagle Mark Sanchez, whose better days are long gone.
Last week Washington lost 25-16 at Tennessee, which his in the AFC playoff hunt. Again, the game was much closer, but the Titans scored on an interception return as time expired.
Washington played so hard against the Titans. Eagles may wonder if that same desire will be there now that the Redskins are eliminated from playoff consideration.
Figure for the Redskins to play tough, but their patched up offensive line should have trouble facing the Eagles.
So it would be a shock if the Eagles lose. And don’t be surprised if many Eagles fans flip the channel to watch the Bears-Vikings game.
For one week, the Bears will be Philadelphia’s second favorite team.
© SouthJersey.com 2018. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
Author: Marc Narducci
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