Eagles Get a Boost in NFC Playoff Race After Cowboys Fall to Lions in Week 14 Opener
The Philadelphia Eagles got exactly what they needed to kick off Week 14 - a little help from the outside. And it came in the form of a high-scoring showdown between two NFC contenders that ended with the Dallas Cowboys taking a hit in the standings.
The Detroit Lions outlasted Dallas in a 44-30 shootout, improving to 8-5 and tightening their grip on a potential Wild Card spot. For the Cowboys, the loss drops them to 6-6-1 and halts the momentum they had been building after knocking off both of last season’s Super Bowl teams in back-to-back weeks.
That brief surge? It’s suddenly looking like a blip rather than a breakthrough.
For the Eagles, this result couldn’t have come at a better time.
Eagles Now in the Driver’s Seat in the NFC East
Heading into Week 14, the Eagles sit at 8-4 with a clear three-game cushion over the Cowboys in the NFC East. That’s a huge edge with just five games left on the schedule.
The math is simple: win three of those five, and Philadelphia locks up the division. Considering the inconsistency Dallas has shown - especially now, with their defense giving up 44 points - the pressure is squarely off Philly’s shoulders, at least for the moment.
But it’s not just about the division. The Eagles have their sights set on more than just a playoff berth - they’re still in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed. And that’s where things get a little more interesting.
NFC Playoff Picture: Eagles Eyeing Top Spot, But Need More Help
Right now, the Eagles are holding the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoff bracket. The Los Angeles Rams are ahead of them at No. 2, and the Chicago Bears are sitting atop the conference. The Lions’ win helped themselves more than it hurt Philly directly, but the Cowboys’ loss was a critical piece in the playoff puzzle for the Birds.
What the Eagles need now is more dominoes to fall. The Bears are set to face the Green Bay Packers this weekend, while the Rams take on the Arizona Cardinals.
Losses by both Chicago and L.A. would tighten the race for the top seed significantly. However, even if both teams stumble, the Eagles still wouldn’t leapfrog into first place - Chicago owns the tiebreaker thanks to their head-to-head win over Philly in Week 13.
Still, a pair of losses would bring the Eagles within striking distance.
The Task at Hand: Beat the Chargers
Of course, none of this matters if the Eagles don’t take care of business themselves. They’ve got the Los Angeles Chargers on deck, and a win is essential to keep the momentum going. The pieces are starting to fall into place, but Philly has to keep stacking wins if they want to stay in the hunt for home-field advantage and a first-round bye.
So far, Week 14 is unfolding in the Eagles’ favor. The Cowboys’ stumble opened the door a little wider. Now it’s on Philadelphia to walk through it - and maybe, just maybe, climb a little higher in the NFC hierarchy while they’re at it.