The Eagles already know they will be in the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The situation surrounding the team, however, is far from perfect.
Philadelphia has lost four of its last five games, with no defeat more devastating than an upset loss at home against the Cardinals in Week 17. Not only was the loss another ugly moment for the Eagles' regressing defense, but it damaged the team's playoff positioning ahead of the final weekend of the regular season.
The Eagles already know they won't have a first-round bye like they did during last season's run to the Super Bowl, but they can still secure a home playoff game if the cards fall the right way.
LIVE: Updated NFL standings, playoff scenarios for Week 18
Here's what you need to know about the Eagles' playoff outlook and what matchup could be in store for wild-card weekend.
Eagles playoff picture
Even after a three-game losing streak from Week 13 through Week 15, losses by the Cowboys gave the Eagles every opportunity to win the NFC East. Philadelphia's Week 17 loss to the Cardinals handed the advantage right back to Dallas.
The Eagles currently hold the No. 5 seed in the NFC, and they will stay there unless they beat the Giants and the Cowboys lose to the Commanders. Dallas is a massive favorite over Washington, so it would certainly count as a surprise if the Eagles won the NFC East at this point. A division title would guarantee the No. 2 seed for the Eagles.
The Eagles cannot host a wild-card game if they don't win the division. Landing the No. 5 seed would mean the Eagles would travel to face the winner of the NFC South on wild-card weekend. The Buccaneers currently lead the NFC South, though the Saints and Falcons remain in contention.
A Cowboys win or Eagles loss on Sunday would ensure Philadelphia's path back to the Super Bowl requires much more heavy lifting than it did last season. As talented as the Eagles were, they had a favorable path with a bye, a home matchup with the Giants and a home matchup with the 49ers, who lost QB Brock Purdy and backup QB Josh Johnson during last year's NFC championship game.
If the Eagles are the NFC's No. 5 seed, they would likely have to win three games on the road to return to the Super Bowl. Just as Cowboys fans cheered the Cardinals' upset of the Eagles in Week 17, Eagles fans will be pulling for a Commanders upset of Dallas on Sunday to avoid that scenario.
MORE: Why Matt Patricia replaced Sean Desai as Eagles' defensive play-caller
Eagles Week 18 opponent
The Eagles will face the Giants at MetLife Stadium in Week 18.
Despite still having a chance to win the NFC East, the Eagles and coach Nick Sirianni might not feel the odds of a Cowboys loss are high enough to risk injury to his key starters against New York. Speaking to reporters Monday, Sirianni said resting players is "a consideration" given the Eagles' status as a playoff team.
Nick Sirianni asked if he is considering sitting starters this week depending on the Cowboys result: "We're gonna do everything we can to win this game, we can't control the result [with Dallas], but we also gotta get out of this rut we're in.. We're considering everything. I'm… pic.twitter.com/jrV6HfTLYR
— Eagles Nation (@PHLEaglesNation) January 1, 2024
Other factors could be the weather, which doesn't look promising, and the lengthy history of major injuries suffered on the controversial MetLife Stadium turf.
Since the Cowboys face Washington at the same time the Eagles play on Sunday, it's possible Philadelphia puts its starters on the field early in the game but pulls them if Dallas opens up a sizable lead. Anything is on the table, according to Sirianni himself, but he still insisted, "We're going to do whatever we need to do to win this game."
