Comparing Eagles NFC Standings Implications Against 49ers, Cowboys
The Philadelphia Eagles will face NFC contenders in the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in the next two weeks. I’m hearing questions about which is the “bigger” or…
The Philadelphia Eagles will face NFC contenders in the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys in the next two weeks.
I'm hearing questions about which is the “bigger” or “more important” game. The dialogue is honestly giving me a headache. It’s more my exhaustion with the Cowboys obsession! I know a portion of the fan base continually points to the fact that Cowboys fans seem overly interested in everything Eagles.
That gives us the perfect opportunity to say it’s not a two-way street. Yet, I’m hearing a spin that somehow the Cowboys game is really the most important. That is complete nonsense! Here’s why:
Beat the 49ers, and they are out of the race for the NFC top seed.
San Francisco has one punch left. They are two games behind the Eagles in the NFC. This game on Sunday could pull San Francisco within one game, and most importantly, the 49ers would hold the head-to-head tie-breaker.
That would mean that another Eagles loss could put the 49ers in the driver's seat to host the NFC Championship Game out west. A win on Sunday by the Birds makes that lead 3.5 games (with the tie-breaker), so any chance of coughing up the lead is removed.
The Eagles have Dallas well under control…UNLESS
The Cowboys are 2.5 games back of the Eagles based on the Birds' win over Dallas just a few weeks ago. If the Eagles were to lose to the 49ers, it opens the door for the Cowboys to tie for the division lead with four games to go. Dallas has a tougher schedule, but the tie-breakers will favor Philadelphia. Here are the tie-breakers:
- Head-To-Head: Tied 1-1, so you move on the the second tie-breaker
- Divisional Record: If the Eagles beat the Giants twice, both teams would have a 5-1 mark in the NFC East. That is a very easy task, so move on to the third tie-breaker.
- Common Opponents: The Eagles lost to the Jets while Dallas beat them, but Dallas lost to the Cardinals and the 49ers. The Eagles need to take care of at least one of those games, which makes the 49ers game even more critical. Dallas still has to face the Bills and the Dolphins. The Eagles took care of both of them, so Dallas has even more pressure on their shoulders. Regardless, the home Cardinals game on New Year's Eve afternoon should be an easy three-foot putt.
It’s safe to assume the Birds, without an unforeseen trip up, have already taken care of Dallas.
THE VERDICT
Stop worrying about the Cowboys catching the Eagles. A win on Sunday all but secures the top seed in the NFC. The two home game scenario to get to the Super Bowl is always the desired path!
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The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off an incredible overtime win in Week 12 of the 2023 NFL season. They own the best record in the NFL at 10-1 after the thriller against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills.
They have suffered a few recent injuries to key players, especially along the offensive and defensive lines. Will Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox, Milton Williams, and Zach Cunningham return for the Eagles as Week 13 starters?
Eagles Pull Off Miracle Against Bills
The Bills took a 10-point lead into halftime, and the Eagles were fortunate that the deficit wasn't worse. It looked eerily similar to the Super Bowl LVII rematch on Monday Night Football six days before. However, the result was the same. The Eagles pulled off yet another double-digit comeback.
Jalen Hurts played poorly in the first half. He shook off the struggles and led four touchdown drives after halftime, the last coming in overtime. The Philadelphia defense held Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs scoreless on six second half possessions.
Nick Sirianni has improved to 33-12 as a head coach in NFL regular-season games. The Eagles are 24-2 in games started by Jalen Hurts since the beginning of the 2022 season.
The San Francisco 49ers loom for an NFC Championship Game rematch at Lincoln Financial Field in Week 13.
Projected Philadelphia Eagles Week 13 Starters
The Eagles have leaned on strength in the trenches in the most recent era of franchise history. Two of their foundational pieces didn't finish the game against the Bills. Lane Johnson missed the game with groin soreness, and Fletcher Cox also left the game with a groin injury.
Dallas Goedert and Nakobe Dean will likely remain out with injuries in Week 13. Jack Stoll started at tight end in Weeks 11 and 12, and he'll likely fill in against the 49ers once again. Cunningham has been the best linebacker on the team in 2023. He left the game with a hamstring injury and didn't return.
Nicholas Morrow has played an elevated role, and Christian Elliss also stepped into the regular rotation as a linebacker. The Eagles will get an update on Milton Williams, who missed the game against Buffalo with a concussion.
With arguably the toughest opponent on the schedule ahead, Nick Sirianni needs good news about some of his best players heading into Week 13.
Offense
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)
A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
DeVonta Smith
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021
Julio Jones
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)
Jack Stoll
Photo by Rob Carr/Getty ImagesTight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Cam Jurgens
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022
Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Defense
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Jalen Carter
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Nicholas Morrow
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)
Christian Elliss
Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)
Darius Slay
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesCornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)
James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)
Bradley Roby
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesCornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)
Kevin Byard
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)
Reed Blankenship
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
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