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 “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!
“You’ve been in these situations before, you’re going to find a way to win. You’re going to dig deep and trust in each other that you’re going to get the job done because they’ve done it before."
— 97.5 The Fanatic (@975TheFanatic) November 27, 2023
– @AndrewDiCecco on the Eagles' comeback
(@975JKShow)
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Philadelphia Eagles Projected 2023 Week 13 Starters
Jalen Hurts
Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Running Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)DeVonta Smith
Wide Receiver, #6
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (10th overall) in 2021Julio Jones
Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Jack Stoll
Tight End, #89
University of Nebraska
3rd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2021)Jordan Mailata
Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Jordan Davis
Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Jalen Carter
Defensive Tackle, #98
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (9th overall) in 2023Haason Reddick
Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Nicholas Morrow
Linebacker, #41
Greensville University
6th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2023)Christian Elliss
Linebacker, #53
University of Idaho
3rd NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (September 2021)Darius Slay
Cornerback, #2
Mississippi State
11th NFL Season- Acquired in trade from Detroit Lions (March 2020)James Bradberry
Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Bradley Roby
Cornerback, #33
Ohio State University
10th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Kevin Byard
Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
