The Eagles appeared destined for the NFC's top seed and a first-round bye all season long, but back-to-back losses have opened the door for some new scenarios.
After dropping from 13-1 to 13-3 following an injury to Jalen Hurts, could Hurts return in Week 18 and get the Eagles back on track? A win may be needed to avoid sliding as far down as the NFC's No. 5 seed.
Philadelphia enters Week 18 with some work to do. Here's what needs to happen for the Eagles to clinch the No. 1 seed, as well as a look at what other scenarios are in play.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 18
How the Eagles can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC
The Eagles just need a win over the Giants or a 49ers loss to the Cardinals to clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed. A win would lock up the NFC East for the Eagles and leave Philadelphia atop the NFC at 14-3. That would be enough for a first-round bye.
If the Eagles lose, they can still clinch the NFC East with a Cowboys loss but would be at risk of dropping to the No. 2 seed in that scenario.
Fortunately for the Eagles, the Giants haven't committed to playing their starters after locking up a playoff spot in Week 17. If New York rests most of its key pieces, the path to a Philadelphia win becomes much easier.
How the Eagles can be the No. 2 seed in the NFC
The Eagles don't want this scenario to happen, but there's a way they can clinch the NFC East while still dropping to No. 2 in the NFC and missing out on a first-round bye.
If the Eagles lose, the 49ers win, and the Cowboys lose, San Francisco would leapfrog Philadelphia and secure a first-round bye.
This isn't a likely scenario, given both the Eagles and Cowboys are significant favorites, but anything can happen in Week 18.
MORE: NFL schedule Week 18: Latest updates, times, dates for every football game
How the Eagles can be the No. 5 seed in the NFC
The nightmare scenario for the Eagles just requires a loss to the Giants and a Cowboys win over the Commanders.
Again, the Eagles might be facing a Giants team resting its starters, but it's hard for Philadelphia to take anything for granted after a Week 17 loss to the Saints.
If the Cowboys won the NFC East, the Eagles could definitively be the NFC's No. 5 seed and face the Buccaneers in Tampa on wild-card weekend just as they did a year ago.
Potential Eagles playoff matchups
If the Eagles are the No. 1 seed in the NFC, they won't have to worry about the wild card round. Philadelphia would secure a first-round bye and host the lowest remaining seed still alive in the NFC.
If the Eagles are the No. 2 seed in the NFC, they would host either the Packers, Seahawks, or Lions in the wild card round. The Packers have the easiest path to that spot, as they just need to win to clinch a playoff berth.
If the Eagles are the No. 5 seed in the NFC, they would go on the road and face the Buccaneers in the wild card round.
MORE: How Eagles or Cowboys can clinch NFC East, NFC No. 1 seed in Week 18
As long as the Eagles pick up a win over the Giants this weekend, all they will need to do is watch and wait to see which team (Buccaneers, Cowboys, Giants, or whichever team secures the No. 7 seed) comes their way in the divisional round.
