NFL Playoff Picture Heating Up: 49ers Rising, Eagles Reeling, and the NFC Race Tightens
Sometimes, the NFL schedule doesn’t quite let a rivalry reach full boil. But when the 49ers and Eagles meet, it rarely disappoints.
The last two matchups between San Francisco and Philadelphia have been anything but ordinary. Two years ago, the 49ers marched into Philly and handed the Eagles a humbling 42-19 loss - a statement win against a then 10-1 team that looked like a juggernaut. That game felt like a bit of revenge for the Niners, who still carried the sting of the previous season’s NFC Championship Game - a game where Brock Purdy’s elbow was shredded by Haason Reddick, derailing San Francisco’s Super Bowl hopes before halftime.
That playoff loss still lingers in the Bay Area. But that regular-season win?
It was a cathartic moment, a reminder of what the 49ers can be when they’re firing on all cylinders. That day, they were untouchable - six straight touchdown drives, a defense that bottled up Jalen Hurts, and a trio of playmakers in Deebo Samuel, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle who looked downright unstoppable.
It was the high-water mark of their season.
Since then? The 49ers haven’t quite hit that level again. They made it to the Super Bowl, yes, but that December domination in Philly remains the peak of their powers.
On the flip side, that loss sent the Eagles into a tailspin. They dropped five of their final six games and limped into the playoffs, only to get blown out by Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round. The collapse was stunning, especially for a team that had looked like a contender for most of the season.
Fast forward to now, and the script has flipped again. The Eagles rebounded last year to win Super Bowl LIX, finishing with an impressive 18-3 record. Meanwhile, the 49ers were ravaged by injuries and stumbled to a 6-11 finish.
But here in Week 15, the tides are shifting once more. The 49ers are trending up, while the Eagles look like they’re stuck in reverse.
Philly still leads the NFC East, but they’ve dropped three straight to fall to 8-5, surrendering 575 yards in those losses. Jalen Hurts has been turnover-prone, even managing to throw a pick and lose a fumble on the same play in an overtime loss to the Chargers.
The door’s not closed for the 49ers - far from it. Winning the NFC West and even grabbing the No. 1 seed is still in play, though more likely they’ll open the playoffs on the road in the Wild Card round. And if the standings hold, they could be headed right back to Philadelphia for a rematch that would carry plenty of weight.
Let’s take a look at how the playoff picture is shaping up heading into Week 15 - and what each contender is staring down the stretch.
NFC Playoff Picture
Bye: No. 1 - Los Angeles Rams (10-3)
Remaining Games: vs. Detroit (8-5), at Seattle (10-3), at Atlanta (5-9), vs.
Arizona (3-10)
The Rams are in control, but their next two games could flip the script. Beat Detroit and Seattle, and they could lock up the top seed. Slip up, and they could fall into the Wild Card mix.
**No. 7 Chicago Bears (9-4) at No.
2 Green Bay Packers (9-3-1)**
Bears Remaining Games: vs.
Cleveland (3-10), vs. Green Bay (9-3-1), at 49ers (9-4), vs.
Detroit (8-5)
The Bears can’t afford a misstep, especially not this week against the Browns. The road ahead is brutal, and a single loss could knock them out of the top seven.
Packers Remaining Games: at Denver (11-2), at Chicago (9-4), vs. Baltimore (6-7), at Minnesota (5-8)
Green Bay’s schedule is no cakewalk, either. Every opponent except Minnesota is still in the playoff hunt.
**No. 6 San Francisco 49ers (9-4) at No.
3 Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)**
49ers Remaining Games: vs.
Tennessee (2-11), at Indianapolis (8-5), vs. Chicago (9-4), vs.
Seattle (10-3)
San Francisco’s final stretch is a mix of winnable games and heavyweight showdowns. That Week 16 Monday night trip to Indy? Circle it now.
Eagles Remaining Games: vs. Las Vegas (2-11), at Washington (3-10), at Buffalo (9-4), vs. Washington (3-10)
The Eagles have a soft landing ahead. Even with their current struggles, it’s hard to see them not hitting 11 wins.
**No. 5 Seattle Seahawks (10-3) at No.
4 Carolina Panthers (7-6)**
Panthers Remaining Games: at New Orleans (2-11), vs.
Tampa Bay (7-7), vs. Seattle (10-3), at Tampa Bay (7-7)
Carolina’s playoff hopes hinge on consistency - something they haven’t shown much of. The matchup with Seattle could be a playoff preview.
Still Alive in the NFC:
No. 8 Detroit Lions (8-5)
Remaining Games: at Rams (10-3), vs. Pittsburgh (7-6), at Minnesota (5-8), at Chicago (9-4)
The Lions are hanging around. A strong finish could vault them into the NFC North crown.
No. 9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Remaining Games: at Carolina (7-6), at Miami (6-7), vs. Carolina (7-6)
Tampa blew a 14-point lead Thursday night - a brutal loss. But with two games left against the Panthers, the Bucs aren’t out of it yet.
No. 10 Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)
Remaining Games: Favorable. If they win out, don’t rule out a late push for the NFC East title.
AFC Playoff Picture
Bye: No. 1 - Denver Broncos (11-2)
Remaining Games: vs. Green Bay (9-3-1), vs.
Jacksonville (9-4), at Kansas City (6-7), vs. L.A.
Chargers (9-4)
The Broncos have the inside track to the top seed. Win two of their final four, and they’ll be tough to catch.
**No. 7 Houston Texans (8-5) at No.
2 New England Patriots (11-2)**
Texans Remaining Games: vs.
Arizona (3-10), vs. Las Vegas (2-11), at Chargers (9-4), at Colts (8-5)
Houston looks playoff-bound. They’re physical, aggressive, and no one’s going to enjoy facing them in January.
Patriots Remaining Games: vs. Buffalo (9-4), at Baltimore (6-7), at Jets (3-10), vs. Miami (6-7)
Win the last two, and New England could grab a bye - and Mike Vrabel might just wrap up Coach of the Year honors.
**No. 6 Buffalo Bills (9-4) at No.
3 Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4)**
Bills Remaining Games: at New England (11-2), at Cleveland (3-10), vs.
Philadelphia (8-5), vs. Jets (3-10)
With the Chiefs fading, the Bills are lurking. This could be their shot to finally break through.
Jaguars Remaining Games: vs. Jets (3-10), at Denver (11-2), at Colts (8-5), vs. Titans (2-11)
The Jags are stacking wins, but the schedule tightens fast. That Week 16 trip to Denver looms large.
**No. 5 L.A.
Chargers (9-4) at No. 4 Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6)**
Chargers Remaining Games: at Kansas City (6-7), at Dallas (6-6-1), vs. Houston (7-6), at Denver (11-2)
Justin Herbert’s been tough as nails - 66 rushing yards just days after hand surgery? That’s grit.
Steelers Remaining Games: vs. Miami (6-7), at Detroit (8-5), at Cleveland (3-10), vs. Baltimore (6-7)
Ten wins is within reach, but this team feels like a classic 9-8 wild card exit.
Still Alive in the AFC:
No. 8 Indianapolis Colts (8-5)
Remaining Games: at Seattle (10-3), at 49ers (9-4), vs. Jacksonville (9-4), at Houston (7-6)
Philip Rivers is back at 44, but this stretch is brutal. A playoff spot is still possible, but they’ll have to earn every inch.
No. 9 Baltimore Ravens (6-7)
Remaining Games: at Cincinnati (4-9), vs. New England (11-2), at Green Bay (9-3-