Admin December 29, 2024
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The Philadelphia Eagles blew a chance to clinch the NFC East in their Week 16 loss to the Washington Commanders. They didn’t squander a second chance to take home the division title.
The Eagles blew out the Dallas Cowboys 41-7 in Week 17 to officially wrap up the NFC East. Philadelphia won despite Jalen Hurts missing the game with a concussion and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett leaving the contest in the second half after taking a hard hit.
The Eagles have now secured a top-two seed in the NFC. They will have to wait to see if they can earn the No. 1 seed, but if they don’t, they will have a chance to play host to the No. 7 seed as the conference’s No. 2 seed.
Who will the Eagles play in the postseason? Here’s what to know about Philadelphia’s potential first-round matchups for the playoffs.
Who will the Eagles play in playoffs?
The Eagles have clinched the NFC East and will have a top-two seed in the NFC. If they can get the conference’s No. 1 seed, they will get a much-needed first-round bye.
If not, Philadelphia would only be able to play one of three potential first-round opponents. They are as follows:
Eagles playoff scenarios
Below is a look at the Eagles’ chances of playing each potential first-round opponent.
Washington Commanders
The Commanders are the most likely opponent for the Eagles to face. Washington needs to win just one of its last two games to clinch a playoff berth, and they can only be the No. 6 or No. 7 seed in the NFC.
Below is a look at how the Commanders can clinch the NFC’s No. 7 seed:
- Commanders win one of the final two games;
- Packers finish with the better record than the Commanders.
The Commanders have a better conference record than the Packers, so if the two end the season tied in the standings, Washington would be seeded ahead of Green Bay in the NFC wild-card picture.
Green Bay Packers
The Eagles will face the Packers if the following scenarios unfold:
- The Packers lose out AND the Commanders win at least one of their final two games;
- The Packers lose one of their final two games AND the Commanders win out.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers will only be the No. 7 seed if they can knock the Commanders out of the postseason race. The only way that can happen is if the following occurs:
- Falcons beat Commanders, win Week 18 game vs. Carolina Panthers;
- Commanders lose to Falcons, lose Week 18 game at Dallas Cowboys;
- Buccaneers win Week 18 game vs. New Orleans Saints.
That makes Tampa Bay the most unlikely first-round opponent for Philadelphia to face.
NFL playoff schedule
The NFL playoffs kick off on Jan. 11 with the league’s Super Wild Card Weekend before concluding on Feb. 9 with Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans.
Super Wild Card weekend
All times Eastern
Saturday, Jan. 11
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 12
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 13
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 18
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 19
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
NFL conference championship round
Sunday, Jan. 26
- NFC championship game: 3 p.m.
- AFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 59
- Date: Feb. 9, 2025
- Location: Caesars Superdome (New Orleans)
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- TV: FOX
NFL playoff picture
Below is a look at the NFL playoff picture with most of Week 17 in the books:
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (15-1, AFC West winners, No. 1 seed)*
- Buffalo Bills (13-3, AFC East winners)*
- Baltimore Ravens (11-5, AFC North leaders)*
- Houston Texans (9-7, AFC South winners)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6, wild card No. 1)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (10-6, wild card No. 2)*
- Denver Broncos (9-7, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Cincinnati Bengals (8-8), Miami Dolphins (7-8).
NFC
- Detroit Lions (13-2, NFC North leaders)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (13-3, NFC East winners)*
- Los Angeles Rams (10-6, NFC West leaders)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7, NFC South leaders)
- Minnesota Vikings (13-2, wild card No. 1)*
- Green Bay Packers (11-4, wild card No. 2)
- Washington Commanders (10-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Seattle Seahawks (8-7), Atlanta Falcons (8-7)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.