• March 29, 2024

Eagles Can’t Afford To Lose Down The Stretch

NickFoles2The Eagles are now 8-5 and despite winning five games in a row, they can’t afford to lose another game down the stretch, if they want to be sure to make the playoffs.  Running the table will put them in the playoffs, but there may be no room for a loss.  If they finish even with Dallas, they’ll probably lose the tie breaker.

Philadelphia is 3-2 in the NFC East division and 7-2 in the NFC.  The Cowboys on the other hand are 7-6, but they are 4-0 in the division and 6-3 in the NFC.  After the team’s record, the second tie breaker is record in the division, that’s why the Eagles are likely to be in a position where they’ve got to beat Dallas in their final game in order to make the playoffs.

The Eagles only have one more NFC East game to play and it’s that final regular season game against the Cowboys.  They hope to at least enter that game with their destiny in their own hands.  Dallas has two more NFC East games left to play, one against the Redskins and that season finale against Eagles.  Have you seen what happening in D.C.?  As bad as Dallas has been playing, the Redskins are doing much worse.  Philly shouldn’t expect the Skins to beat Dallas next week.

The best divisional record the Birds can have is 4-2, while the worst divisional record the Cowboys can have is 4-2.

The Birds chances are making the playoffs as a wild card team are good, if they can win at least two of the remaining three games, but it would be simpler and easier if they win the rest of their games.  They could get in with a 10-6 record, but there are no guarantees.

Right now the two teams which would make the playoffs as wild card teams are the Carolina Panthers and the San Francisco 49ers.

The Panthers have the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons left on their schedule.   They shouldn’t have much trouble beating New York and Atlanta, but that New Orleans game is going to be a tough one.

The Niners have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals left on their schedule.  They should beat the Bucs, but it could be a difficult game.  The Falcons will be a cake walk for San Francisco, but the Cardinals will be fighting for their playoffs lives and they could be a handful.

You can bet the Birds will be rooting for the Redskins to trip up Dallas in their week 16 game, but with the state of things in Washington, they might not be able to beat one of the local college teams like Temple or Villanova.

Eight straight is a lot to ask, but it may be required, if the Eagles want to be a part of the post-season.

GCOBB

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Xevious
Xevious
December 11, 2013 8:50 am

Well if they stumble they stumble, teams have bad games. It would be a damn Shame though to go 10-6 and miss the playoffs. So Im hoping they can get past this trap game Sunday and a pain in the ass Chicago squad before the cockroaches.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
December 11, 2013 9:24 am

After reading the article it seems the Eagles have to finish one game ahead of the Cowboys to win the division, which they currently are.

paulman
paulman
December 11, 2013 9:45 am

This is a great end of the Season for Football Fan’s and especially in the NFC with so many Teams fighting for Playoff Spots
Teams like the Eagles,Cowboys,Packers,Bears,Lions & Arizona pretty much need to Win out…
Teams like the Panthers/49ers are in pretty good shape in securing the Wildcard Spots
The NFC East and North Divisions are up for grabs but will probably only have the Division Winner make the Post-Season and right now, the Bears are the Team playing the best ball in the NOrth with the Eagles playing the best Ball in the East…

Lose and Done Games this week

Packers vs the Cowboys – Packers in a Must win and will be without QB Aaron Rodgers again.. If the Packers lose and fall to 6-7-1, they will probably shut down QB Rodgers for remainder of the Season as 8 Wins will most likely not be enough to win their Divisiion

Arizona at the Titans – Arizona must Win to keep pace as a Wildcard

Bears at Cleveland – Bears are on a roll, and can grab 1st Place in the NFC North with momentum and a huge match-up with the Eagles the following week

Lions hosting the Ravens who are also fighting for a AFC Wildcard spot
Lions have been self-destructing as usual, while the Ravens are playing some of their best ball of the Season and have the mental toughness to hang in games even when not playing well.. The Lions must get a fast start or it could be a long day for them..

haveacigar
haveacigar
December 11, 2013 9:51 am

OH NO!!!!!! I just saw the cover of sports illustrated… we are screwed… poor foles!

Theone1
Theone1
December 11, 2013 10:02 am

Kirk Cousins will replace Robert Griffin III as the Washington Redskins’ quarterback Sunday when they face the Atlanta Falcons, a high-ranking team official confirmed to ESPN.com.
Kirk Cousins will take over as the Redskins’ starting quarterback Sunday against the Falcons, a source confirmed.
NFL Network had earlier reported that Cousins would start at quarterback.

mhenski
mhenski
December 11, 2013 10:14 am
Reply to  Theone1

its a good move and shouldve happened sooner. rg3 is absolutely horrid this year and shouldve been benched a few weeks back

paulman
paulman
December 11, 2013 10:46 am
Reply to  mhenski

As I stated back in th Summer Time,
The Proper move that should have been made by the Redksins was to place RG3 on PUP List and have him ready after Week #5 or #6, but the Redskins Brass and Ego’s could not come together to make the Smart Decision.. They had all Summer Long to go with a Game Plan/Schemes that best suit Kirk Cousins style of Play..
Reports on why this didn’t happen are all across the board
1) Reports are that Shannahan wanted to have RG3 embarrass himself and come back down to earth a bit, knowing he was not physically able to play missing all off-season and no Pre-Season
2) Reports are from RG3’s Camp is that they feared if Cousins Played Well t ostart the Season that Shannahan would be unlikely to pull him in favor of RG3..
3) Pressure from Owner & GM Allen on Shananhan to play RG3 even though SHannahan knew he was not ready..
4) Anyone who knows how Shannahan Operates knows that he is a complete “Control-Freak” and in the end, is going to do what’s best for Mike Shanahan and not necessarily for the Team… Just look back at his last 2-3 Seasons with the Bronco’s as he was brutal on QB’s and tanked them in and out.. He was very poor in Drafting and had little clue on the Defensive Side of the Ball where the Bronco’s Defense was putrid during his last few Seasons there and have been poor during his 4 Years with the Redskins… I always thought Shanahan was one of the most Overrated Coach’s of recent time’s and yes, even though he won 2 Super Bowls with the Bronco’s but on the backs of QB John Elway and RB Terrell Davis…

Theone1
Theone1
December 11, 2013 11:17 am
Reply to  paulman

Should have had that meeting with McFlab, Uh I mean McNabb!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
December 11, 2013 12:27 pm
Reply to  Theone1

Yeah..his ego stopped him. Now he’sunderstanding (I’m sure) that McNabb could have given him some advice. He probably thought that meeting with McNabb would be frowned upon by the Shannahan’s , evidently, it didn’t matter, he’s now an Oakridge boy. This benching is performance related, not health related.

greenfan
greenfan
December 11, 2013 10:36 am
Reply to  Theone1

That situation in DC is a disaster. Since they are an NFC rival, I could not be happier, but as far as a football fan, it is crazy to watch.

I really like RGIII. He is a special talent, and a strong leader, but he and Shanahan have been on different pages from his very start. There was no question that he was not ready to start the season (and do we need to revisit the crazy way that Shanahan continued to play an injured RGIII at the end of last season?), and should have been given more time to rehad the knee. Not every player will come back as easily as Peterson.

For the Redskins to improve, Shanahan needs to go. As an Eagles fan, I would love to see the turmoil continue. Truth is, Kirk Cousins is also a good QB, and I believe in the right system he will be successful. What a mess in DC…and the fallout from trading away all of those draft picks for RGIII will continue for another year!!

daggolden
daggolden
December 11, 2013 10:55 am

Shannahan has set RGIII up. This is all about making RGIII a fool. Cousins will come in and shine. Shannahan knows exactly what he is doing in this situation. Expect Washington to give Dallas all they can handle next week.

mhenski
mhenski
December 11, 2013 11:01 am
Reply to  daggolden

lmfao cmon man

“Shannahan has set RGIII up. This is all about making RGIII a fool. Cousins will come in and shine”

let me guess the newtown massacre was a conspiracy?

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
December 11, 2013 11:08 am
Reply to  daggolden

Too many changes all at once.
The redskins needed those traded draft picks for the defensive switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 and they needed that salary cap space lost to pre-strike creative financing league imposed penalty. Add a rehab to the franchise QB, a Native American name change protest and it was too much to overcome. The owner is to blame, too impatient.

Theone1
Theone1
December 11, 2013 11:19 am
Reply to  daggolden

SHould have had that conversation with McFlab!!!

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
December 11, 2013 11:05 am

No stumbling! there is no room for it…we have to win…bottom line

bugsyhawk
bugsyhawk
December 11, 2013 11:15 am

Not sure Dag. This is a smart move with your franchise QB who is still less than a year removed form major knee surgery. Just seems like good business sense to me. You could make a case that a healthy Matt Ryan has no business playing down the stretch.

Theone1
Theone1
December 11, 2013 11:21 am

McCoy Should be on that sports illustrated cover hurdling like 20 Detroit Lions, Not Foles.

haveacigar
haveacigar
December 11, 2013 11:52 am

Especially since making Foles the starter shady won’t be effective

mhenski
mhenski
December 11, 2013 11:56 am
Reply to  haveacigar

lmfao

where is good old tsjohnson these days?

paulman
paulman
December 11, 2013 12:43 pm
Reply to  mhenski

Another Rumor has TSJohnson Dating Skayne and will be Attending a
New Years Eve’s Party together in North Philly

paulman
paulman
December 11, 2013 12:00 pm

Paulman Rumor’s …
HC Positions that will change after the 2013 Season

1) Washington Redskins to Hire Brian Kelly from Notre Dame, Lovie Smith as a Back-Up Plan
2) Minnesota Vikings to Hire OC Dana Beavall from the Seahawks
3) Tennessee Titans to Hire OC Jay Gruden from the Bengals
4) Houston Texans to Hire OC Greg Romano of the 49ers with Curtis Strong from University of Louisville as a Darkhorse Candidate
5) Biggest Surprise – Detroit Lions to Hire Nick Saban from U of Alabama

andrew p
andrew p
December 11, 2013 12:01 pm

No matter what happens the rest of the way, nobody can complain about what this team had done this year and how bright our future looks. I remember everyone on here saying in the beginning of the season we were going to win anywhere from 6 to 8 games the most, I remember getting crucified when I said we will win 10 games, the way Chip is going about this I see us running the table.

mhenski
mhenski
December 11, 2013 12:05 pm
Reply to  andrew p

i probably laughed my ass off at you with your 10 win prediction, mostly because i expected vick to be qb

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
December 11, 2013 12:28 pm
Reply to  mhenski

Thank God for that hammy. Our own Bart Scott moment…otherwise we’d be waddling at 5-8.

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
December 11, 2013 5:10 pm
Reply to  andrew p

I remember Andrew. You were right about the 10 wins.

Many of us doubted that because we saw what happened after the fast start against the Redskins. And the defense was in such a state of disorder early-on.

I had confidence that Kelly would score points, but I thought it would take another draft to fix the defense.

Good call on your part!

jbird
jbird
December 11, 2013 1:24 pm

Chances against Carolina or San Fran are slim so making the playoffs is not be all and end all. The important thing is that we found a capable QB and did not have to give away our future to do so. Andy had two good picks in the third round in 14 years. But I have to say when he hit, he hit big. Foles and B West. The rest were horrible picks. Now we can go after some help for the secondary and pass rush. There are some players who will be big pieces next year with improvement/health. JP, Lane Johnson, Zach Ertz and Foles will all take major steps forward. We just need a WR.

DMAN
DMAN
December 11, 2013 3:16 pm
Reply to  jbird

Yup a big physical WR to go along with DJax, Cooper and Avant. First off the Eagles need to resign Coopers contract. Hopefully the front office is working on something for him. As for free agent WR’s for 2014 a few jump out at me. My first choice would be James Jones of the Packers. Big WR with great hands and speed. My second choice would be Brandon Lafell of the Panthers. Another good WR with good hands and has that deep play ability. Emmanuel Sanders and even Hakeem Nicks would be good signings. I just don’t like it when teams sign players within the division. But the draft is where it’s at. And I believe the Eagles will go in that direction first..

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
December 11, 2013 4:58 pm
Reply to  DMAN

I was thinking Hakeem Nicks, but he is so injury prone. Kelvin Benjamin WR 6’6″ 235 Florida State. Be on the lookout for him if he enters draft.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2013 5:30 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Nicks will be coming back South . He will end up with the Panthers as WR Steve Smith may retire after this Season and the Panthers need to upgrade at WR The GM of the Panthers was former Giants Player Personnel DIrector so he and Nicks have a pretty good relationship
You can put this one in the Bank

DMAN
DMAN
December 11, 2013 2:32 pm

The Redskins will have a better chance at beating the Cowboys if Cousins starts. He has something to prove, while RG3 wants the season to just end

zilents44
zilents44
December 11, 2013 4:05 pm

OMG shanny just said the most truthful thing ever about the 2nd worst owner in the league…..”Dan doesn’t care about other positions”. How are you a owner of a team and don’t care about other positions…Man that franchise is so done…GLAD TO BE AN EAGLE

daggolden
daggolden
December 11, 2013 4:48 pm

Do you SIT your starters vs the Bears? Theres a interesting debate going on right now. If the Cowboys beat GB and Washington and Sunday night comes and the Eagles are 9-5 and Dallas is 9-6 that Chicago game means nothing. The Eagles win they are 10-5 and must beat Dallas week 17 because losing puts them both at 10-6 and Eagles lose tiebreaker. If Eagles lose to Chicago they will be tie with Dallas and must win in Dallas anyway. Do you sit Shady,DJax , Foles, Peters etc if the Chicago game means nothing and have them rested for season finale or do you take the injury risk on a cold Sunday night vs the Bears in a game that means nothing. hmmmm

vinnietheevictor
vinnietheevictor
December 11, 2013 4:55 pm
Reply to  daggolden

The Dallas game is looking more and more like an “all or nothing” game…….Go GB.

daggolden
daggolden
December 11, 2013 4:57 pm

Vinnie do you sit Foles and Shady, Peters etc vs Chicago if its a meaningless game?

daggolden
daggolden
December 11, 2013 4:59 pm
Reply to  daggolden

There is noway McCoy plays vs Chicago if that game means nothing. You take the Chicago game as a bye week for him and the playoffs start week 17 in Dallas. IMO.

paulman
paulman
December 11, 2013 7:06 pm
Reply to  daggolden

How can the Bears Game be meaningless Dag
Eagles are up 1 Game with 3 to Play
Let’s say Eagles Beat Vikings and Packers beat Cowboys
Then the Eagles are 9-5 and Cowboys drop to 7-7 with 2 Games to play meaning the Eagles would Clinch the NFC East by Beating the Bears to go to 10-5 regardless of what the Cowboys do, meaning the Final Game at Dallas could be a meaningless game ..

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
December 11, 2013 8:36 pm
Reply to  paulman

In other words, we just need the Cowgirls to lose 2 of the last 3 games and we win the next 2 and we clinch. Then the concluding game would be meaningless.

CT
CT
December 11, 2013 5:15 pm

Man, that would suck if we missed the playoffs at a 10-6 record. It could happen man. Remeber the Bear? I would be PISSED. Lol. But even it does happen man I’m so proud of this team. Our boys are straight up BALLIN. If it does happen, next season will be one the most anticipated season in Philly history. Nobody expected us to be where we are now. The majority of everyone on this site had us looking at 6-8 wins, and missing the playoffs a step in the right direction. Now look at us , Were only going to get better from here on out. One guy we need to be thankful for who noone talks about anymore is Tom Gamble. Guy is a beast!

DMAN
DMAN
December 11, 2013 7:01 pm

Just watched the Desean Jackson story on ESPN. I encourage you guys and gals to check it out. Just added motivation to win it all!

Jon Hart
Jon Hart
December 11, 2013 8:41 pm
Reply to  DMAN

Yea DMan, I saw that awhile back. A very touching gut wrenching story. Somewhat of a happy ending with his father seeing that Desean made it like he said his son would but sad seeing his father die of pancreatic cancer… His father pushed him to the limit. Reason why Desean has so much confidence, hes dominated at every level hes played on and his father was there the whole time… Desean is a top 3-5 receiver in this league as we speak and a large part of the reason goes to his father..

DMAN
DMAN
December 11, 2013 10:08 pm

I completely agree with you Jon. Best of luck to Desean and his family.

daggolden
daggolden
December 12, 2013 6:39 am

Paulman think about it. We both win the next two games we go into Dallas 10-5 and Dallas 9-6 meaning we have to win in Dallas or lose the tie breaker at 10-6. If Dallas wins the next 2 and we win vs Minny and sit starters and lose vs Chicago us andDallas will be tied at 9-6. We still have to win in Dallas. The Chicago game is meaningless.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2013 7:33 am
Reply to  daggolden

Not if the Cowboys were to lose to the Packers
You play to win every game, EAGLES have their own Destiny right in front of them, Eagles Win vs Minny & the Bears, there is even a slight chance to get in at 10-6 as a Wildcard if 49ers/Panthers were to Falter down the stretch
And finish at 10-6..
Just keep Winning for the Eagles and everything else won’t matter
You sit out your top Player vs the Bears and who knows what happens to your confidence, rhythm & timing, etc..

Theone1
Theone1
December 12, 2013 8:19 am

What will Maclin have when he returns? Do you re-sign cooper and let Maclin walk? Is he under contract for the bext few years? I think Maclin takes another full season to get up to speed and his retention upside is very very limited. This is what cooper has earned!!!!!!

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2013 3:28 pm
Reply to  Theone1

Maclin has the control here. He will have better options. Besides he does not deserve a multi-year deal. He has never shown anything but potential in four seasons while we sat around waiting for the big breakout. The Eagles need to draft a WR or CB in the first round. Thats the only good players that will be available in the 18-24 range where they end up. OLBs will be gone and I think they address Safety in FA. I would sincerely be shocked if Jarius Byrd is not wearing Eagles green next year. Even if they didn’t sign Byrd, Clinton-Dix will be over drafted as the landslide top prospect and will not be around past 15 if he lasts that long. So its WR/CB as BPA.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2013 5:33 pm
Reply to  jbird

There is 1 Team and 1 Team only who will give Maclin a 3 Year Deal
thats the KC Chiefs who need upgrading at WR, Obvisouly Macllin knows Coach AR’s system and both have a good Relationship..
The Eagles will offer a 1 Year Token Offer, but Maclin has missed about 35% of all his NFL Games since they Drafted him..
Eagles Re-Sign Cooper, then Draft a WR and say Bye to Maclin, unless they get him on a 1 Year to Prove it type of Contract..

Theone1
Theone1
December 12, 2013 8:48 am

Running back Adrian Peterson has shed the walking boot on his sprained right foot, but he wasn’t ready for practice Wednesday. He probably won’t participate until Friday at the earliest, and coach Leslie Frazier said he’s more optimistic about the condition of backup Toby Gerhart than he is with Peterson. Gerhart’s hamstring injury will also likely keep him from practicing until Friday.

Rocko
Rocko
December 12, 2013 2:37 pm

“SCREW THE COWBOYS AND ANY OTHER OPPONENT THAT GETS IN OUR WAY” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ntu1zoe2we0

richcow
richcow
December 12, 2013 4:02 pm

I heard the debate about the Bear game being meaningless if Dallas wins both games and Eagles beat Vikings. Eagles would know because the game has been flexed to Sun night. I still think you don’t sit anybody because there is a remote possibility that they could get a wild card if they go 10-6 with a loss at Dallas. Dallas would win division. Eagles own tiebreaker with Cardinals. Car or SF would have to stumble down the stretch, an unlikely but possible scenario.

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
December 12, 2013 4:08 pm

these last 3 games will tell us all we need to know about Foles, and if he goes 3 and 0 ……..lock him up long term.

If he chokes then we look for the future in next year’s draft.

haveacigar
haveacigar
December 12, 2013 4:16 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Remember it’s not all about the qb hahahaha

IrishEagle
IrishEagle
December 12, 2013 5:32 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Foles already won 5 in a row – Vick never won 5 in a row in his 11 year career without choking.

deserteagle
deserteagle
December 12, 2013 9:28 pm

There’s no way dallas with cover two beats anyone 3in a row in December no less.They can’t get off the field ,Washington always plays Dallas tough and ,those that think we need take a game off ,haven’t been watching this new regime ..it’s not in coaches DNA and I’m so happy for that ..momentum and confidence are fleeting in the Not for Long league …keeping the cleats on the throat of an opponent is the one piece that seemingly is being drilled into this bunch.its a young team with a shit ton of swagger ,prime time in front of the nation is no time to let anyone see anything but the new philadelphia eagles ..so please …stop this crazy talk .get the 3seed it’s still a business ,and damn straight that’s what the organization has as it’s goal .

deserteagle
deserteagle
December 12, 2013 9:28 pm

Songs you’re an idiot ….

deserteagle
deserteagle
December 12, 2013 9:31 pm

Nick foles has nothing to prove ..he was concussed and his grit and determination ,to play vs Dallas was an aberration ,what you’ve seen the last 5wins in a row is the norm .he needs prove nothing…this team has something to prove to themselves ,with this coach they are favored in all 3 games as Dallas will do its December to remember swoon .