NFC Playoff Picture: Where the Eagles stand after Week 13

Talking about the Philadelphia Eagles’ potential postseason outlook feels a little weird at the moment since the team has played pretty poorly recently. But the reality is that the Birds are mathematically very alive for the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture even though they lost in Week 13.

Had the Eagles beaten the Chicago Bears as they were expected to do (seven-point home favorites on Black Friday), they would’ve exited this weekend on top of their conference since the Los Angeles Rams dropped a game to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But now it’s the Bears in the top spot (who would’ve thought?) with them holding a conference record tiebreaker over the Rams. And then it’s the Eagles in third place.

As a reminder, the Eagles hold a head-to-head tiebreaker over LA. But now Chicago owns one over them. Here’s a look at the remaining schedules for all three teams.

EAGLES’ LAST FIVE GAMES

at Los Angeles Chargersvs. Las Vegas Raidersat Washington Commandersat Buffalo Billsvs. Washington Commanders

Remaining strength of schedule: .400, tied for second-easiest in the NFL

BEARS’ LAST FIVE GAMES

at Green Bay Packersvs. Cleveland Brownsvs. Green Bay Packersat San Francisco 49ersvs. Detroit Lions

Remaining strength of schedule: .590, fifth-toughest in the NFL

RAMS’ LAST FIVE GAMES

at Arizona Cardinalsvs. Detroit Lionsat Seattle Seahawksat Atlanta Falconsvs. Arizona Cardinals

Remaining strength of schedule: .433, eighth-easiest in the NFL

The Eagles obviously need to get their act together for scoreboard watching to matter for them. Playing teams who appear to be beatable on paper should help … but that’s also what we said about the 2023 Eagles down the stretch.

Nothing is guaranteed.

Not even the NFC East crown, which previously seemed to be an inevitability for the Eagles. With the Dallas Cowboys surging, it’s not a lock that the Birds will win their division.

COWBOYS REMAINING SCHEDULE

at Detroit Lionsvs. Minnesota Vikingsvs. Los Angeles Chargersat Washington Commandersvs. New York Giants

Remaining strength of schedule: .400, tied for second-easiest in the NFL

The Eagles can put a halt to their losing streak and quell concerns of another late-season collapse by beating the Bolts on Monday night in Week 14. Hard to feel super confident in them at the moment but we’ll see.

Here’s the entire NFC playoff picture after Week 13.

PROJECTED PLAYOFF TEAMS

DIVISION LEADERS

1) Chicago Bears: 9-32) Los Angeles Rams: 9-33) Philadelphia Eagles: 8-44) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-5

WILD CARD TEAMS

5) Seattle Seahawks: 9-36) Green Bay Packers: 8-3-17) San Francisco 49ers: 9-4

…

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

IN THE HUNT

8) Detroit Lions: 7-59) Dallas Cowboys: 6-5-110) Carolina Panthers: 7-6

UNSERIOUS TEAMS

11) Atlanta Falcons: 4-812) Minnesota Vikings: 4-8

14) Washington Commanders: 3-9^

^not a typo – the Commanders are in 14th behind the Cardinals in 13th but still mathematically alive

OFFICIALLY ELIMINATED

13) Arizona Cardinals: 3-9

15) New Orleans Saints: 3-916) New York Giants: 2-10*

*The Giants are 7.5-point road underdogs against the New England Patriots on Monday night.