Things to keep in mind for playoff scenarios

[Whirlwin]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

This took about as much work as it’s going to take the Cowboys to win. You’ve been Reality, paying attention this season, and it’s not easy to clarify your thoughts into writing.
Excellent post.

 

[Whirlwin]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

It’s like you and BOBHAZE, are studying together. Lol.

 

[VaqueroTD]

I've never seen so many playoff odds posts at the end of the season. We're all getting ourselves hyped up like Jim Carrey in Dumber and Dumber thinking there might be a chance, but truth is we're much more likely not to get in. Going to be a sad day around here when that happens. And then watch as we lose George Pickens to another team because of his agent while we get excited for another season with this crew. Just the way it goes.

 

[Jipper]

I've never seen so many playoff odds posts at the end of the season. We're all getting ourselves hyped up like Jim Carrey in Dumber and Dumber thinking there might be a chance, but truth is we're much more likely not to get in. Going to be a sad day around here when that happens. And then watch as we lose George Pickens to another team because of his agent while we get excited for another season with this crew. Just the way it goes.

Better to be getting hyped up bc we have a shot at the playoffs than to be getting hyped up about the 2026 draft at this point.

Sometimes strange things happen and if the cowboys have caught lightness in a bottle and this all works out for a playoff birth, its going to be all kinds of exciting.

If it doesnt work out at leaat we had a fun little run ans have some positive momentum to carry the team into 2026

 

[Creeper]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

This is why I think if the Cowboys win out - which is a long shot - they will be in the playoffs. I just do not see 3 wildcard teams with 12 wins in the NFC.

Also, we want the Packers to win the division, because if the Cowboys tie the Packers at 11-5-1, there is a good chance the Packers will win the tie breaker with a better conference record.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

In all scenarios, though, these teams ahead of us need to lose the majority of their playoff contender games. If they have 4 contender games, they need to lose 3 of them,,,, if they have 3 contender games, they need to lose 2 of them. If they split the games against each other (Bears/Packers), it's not enough.... and this is with us winning out.
Bears, Packers, Seahawks all need to lose 3
Niners, Eagles need to lose 2

 

[Reality]

Bears, Packers, Seahawks all need to lose 3
Niners, Eagles need to lose 2

This is something I have been saying for over a week in other posts.

Here is a quote from a recent post I made ..

The Eagles have struggled to win games several times this year and over the last four games they have scored 10, 16, 21 and 15 points going 2-2 while the Bears have scored 24, 19, 31 and 24 going 4-0 in that period.​

​

The Eagles are now 4-4 in their last 8 games while the Bears are 7-1 in their last 8 games.​

​

Right now, at least stat wise and for simplicity sake, the Eagles are more likely to lose games the remainder of the season compared to the Bears.​

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For the wildcard, the best shot the Cowboys have is for them to beat the Lions next week, which would put the Cowboys ahead of the Lions, and then hopefully the 49ers lose 2+ games.​

​

The 49ers still have to play the Seahawks, Bears and Colts, all of whom have winning records and will be fighting to win divisions or higher playoff seeding so they should play to win.​

Nothing has changed from when I posted that. I am simply saying that given the Eagles only play 2 playoff teams and the first one, against the Chargers, just had their quarterback break his non-throwing hand and have surgery on it, that did not help.

So, at this moment, game-wise, 2 games behind Eagles and 49ers is the shortest path to the playoffs for the Cowboys (assuming they win out of course which is no given), but a lot can happen over the last few weeks of the season and the fact so many of the teams ahead of the Cowboys are playing playoff contending teams is definitely a good thing for the Cowboys.

 

[SlammedZero]

It’s such a tight NFC playoff race this season. Honestly, a solid NFC team, maybe even two, is probably going to miss out. Let’s just hope one of them isn’t Dallas. What worries me the most is how hard it is to stack wins in the NFL. Finishing the season strong and rolling into the playoffs on a streak is a tall task. I almost wish they had a loss they could afford to "get out of the way" before the postseason.

As always, anything can happen in the NFL, but right now I think the Lions are our biggest hurdle. If we can beat them, the rest of the schedule looks very winnable.

 

[Reality]

This is why I think if the Cowboys win out - which is a long shot - they will be in the playoffs. I just do not see 3 wildcard teams with 12 wins in the NFC.

Also, we want the Packers to win the division, because if the Cowboys tie the Packers at 11-5-1, there is a good chance the Packers will win the tie breaker with a better conference record.

That is my thinking as well.

The NFL now schedules more divisional games at the end of the season so one of the reasons those teams have great records right now is because they have not played a full set of games against their in-division opponents.

 

[kskboys]

Commanders no longer look like an easy out playing like they did against Broncos. Eagles better be careful.

Marriota has always been a decent QB, just can't stay on the field. Watching the game vs DEN, it looks as if he's learned to curb that running crapp. He should be Jaden Daniels' advisor!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

Bottom line:

Win out and I think they find their way in.

As good as the team is playing, i think this will be a tough task and they fall 1 game short at 10 wins, barely missing the post season. I hope I am wrong.

In a way it’s a perfect season, we’re desperate and basically have to win out. But we also don’t have to desperately scoreboard watch either . It’s tight but hopeful

 

[Whyjerry]

Personally I believe the only path is through the Wildcard and that path means Dallas needs to win out. Do that and they get a WC. Winning out does not guarantee catching Philadelphia. Weird year in that it will take 11 wins to make the playoffs in the NFC. If Philly loses to LA and Dallas beats Detroit maybe that opens the division up but right now the focus should be controlling what they control and not hoping for Philly losses.

 

[blueblood70]

I've never seen so many playoff odds posts at the end of the season. We're all getting ourselves hyped up like Jim Carrey in Dumber and Dumber thinking there might be a chance, but truth is we're much more likely not to get in. Going to be a sad day around here when that happens. And then watch as we lose George Pickens to another team because of his agent while we get excited for another season with this crew. Just the way it goes.

They're just scenarios ,I don't think anyone believes that will be able to get this turned around, but it sure is better than the first half vibe,

I don't have any expectations they're going to the playoffs, but people are just providing us with information, just in case it happens.

The irony here is, I'm sitting there waiting as a Longhorn fan on the outside hoping that somebody else helps us get in the college playoffs, but it's probably not going to happen, so I'm not going to even expect it... However our big wins against Vanderbilt and our bitter rivals Oklahoma and beating the undefeated Aggies that kind of helps ease the pain a bit,

just like this little run the Cowboys are in...

But I'd rather have this ,be proud of my team that didn't quit, from the front office to the coaches to the roster, the total team, they made an effort to not look like trash, to not be embarrassed, and not be thinking about tanking ,or thinking about the draft ,because that's the worst thing in my mind is when people were already talking about the draft six games into the season, they're talking about the scenarios and how do we end up in the top ten of the draft, and how we hope Green Bay loses, so we can get even a better draft picks..

That's loser talk,

I prefer this a little hope with little expectations ,but playing good ball this time of year on the holidays for me, it's a bonus.

that's my gift from the football gods, is that not how my team look like trash, they have something positive to take away from the games that I wait all year to watch all off season ,which are super long, The seasons seem to be over in a flash compared to all the other major sports which have 80 games or more each, I mean they actually have no one and done playoffs, they actually can afford to lose a playoff game, in football that's not the case,

so, I'm going to appreciate what's going on right now regardless of if it ends up in the playoffs, all that's happening right now should carry over in the next year,

I know that's not a given either, but I just believe we are preparing ourselves for a better start to 2026, regardless of what happens...

 

[Praxit]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenters) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

One thing about the commanders they look pretty good against the broncos despite their injuries. Since they play the eagles twice they won't be easy.

 

[Chasing6]

Commanders no longer look like an easy out playing like they did against Broncos. Eagles better be careful.

A lot of these eliminated teams will play hard for 3 quarters, but don't fool yourself, they don't want to win the game.

 

[Reality]

One thing about the commanders they look pretty good against the broncos despite their injuries. Since they play the eagles twice they won't be easy.

Very true! It's hard to defeat division opponents twice in one year even for the better team.

The only concern is that Jayden Daniels has missed the last 3 games and may not be back for their home game against the Eagles.

The second (and last regular season) game between them is at Philadelphia so I could see the Commanders keeping Daniels and McLaurin out for "injury" reasons and that being a somewhat easy win for the Eagles.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

A lot of these eliminated teams will play hard for 3 quarters, but don't fool yourself, they don't want to win the game.

I disagree. The teams may not but you think the Giants coach doesn’t want to ein? He’s coaching for a head coaching job. Same goes for Quinn. There are jobs and careers on the line. Sure Pete Carroll may not care. Everyone doesn’t have that security.

 

[Verdict]

I know the general thinking is that winning the division is the easiest way for the Cowboys to get into the playoffs, and technically that is true, but I have a different perspective on it.

The Eagles have 5 games remaining, but 3 of them are against the Raiders and Commanders TWICE. The other two are against the Bills and Chargers (their next game), but the Chargers' QB Justin Herbert fractured his hand in their last game and had surgery on it. He says he plans to play but no idea what impact it might have on his performance and that's if he gets cleared to play.

Now, the current wild card teams all won last week, but the good news is the Rams lost. By losing, the Rams fell back into the mix with the Seahawks and 49ers for winning the division. They also fell back into the mix for the number one seed with the other NFC West teams as well as the Bears.

So, why is all of that good news? That means all of those teams will be playing to win hopefully through game 17. We always think about how the bad teams may not play to win late in the season, but there have been several games the last few years where even playoff bound teams rested their star players because they had no way to improve their playoff seeding.

With all of those wildcard teams and outside-the-bubble-but-close teams near each other in the standings, it increases the odds that every game those teams play will matter to them so they will be playing to win.

This is important because ALL of them are playing several games against current teams in the playoff hunt ..

• Bears -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers TWICE, 49ers and Lions
• Packers -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Bears TWICE , Broncos (fighting for #1 seed in AFC) and Ravens
• Seahawks -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Rams, Panthers and 49ers
• Lions -- (4 games against playoff contenders) -- Cowboys, Rams, Steelers and Bears
• 49ers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Colts, Bears and Seahawks
• Panthers -- (3 games against playoff contenders) -- Buccaneers TWICE and Seahawks
• Rams -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Packers and Seahawks
• Eagles -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Chargers (QB hurt, may play) and Bills
• Cowboys -- (2 games against playoff contenders) -- Lions and Chargers

The Eagles will need to lose both of the games against playoff contenders and/or possibly get upset by a bad Raiders team or an injured Commanders team for the Cowboys to overtake them.

The wildcard on the other hand presents more possibilities because all 4 teams currently ahead of the Cowboys for the 3 wildcard spots play 3-4 games each against other playoff contending teams.

That includes the Bears playing 4 NFC contenders, the Seahawks playing 3 NFC contenders, the Lions playing 3 NFC contenders, the 49ers playing 2 NFC contenders, the Panthers playing 3 NFC contenders, the Packers playing 2 NFC contenders and the Cowboys playing 1 NFC contender.

That means there are going to be several losses by NFC teams in playoff contention.

What it will come down to is how spread out the losses are amongst the teams and whether the Cowboys can win every remaining game they have.

I could easily see the Eagles losing at least one of those three chip shot games.

 

[Reality]

I could easily see the Eagles losing at least one of those three chip shot games.

I don't disagree with that just like I could see the Cowboys lose one or more of their remaining games.

My concern is the Raiders game and the second (final of the season) Commanders game may see those teams "play their young guys" (injury excuses of course to starters) to better position themselves for high draft picks since their seasons will be over.

 

[Verdict]

I don't disagree with that just like I could see the Cowboys lose one or more of their remaining games.

My concern is the Raiders game and the second (final of the season) Commanders game may see those teams "play their young guys" (injury excuses of course to starters) to better position themselves for high draft picks since their seasons will be over.

Yes. The Cowboys may need to run the table and of course the Eagles might hold serve and not lose two games.

On the other hand the Eagles seem to be imploding. They have won more than their fair share of close games this year. And that is with Hurts not turning the ball over.

Hurst should regress more towards the mean at some point with INTS. The last 5 games that should even out a bit and cost them some winnable games.