Cowboys vs. Eagles: the NFC East playoff battle no one saw coming
Philadelphia leads the division, but Dallas’ hot streak could shake up the NFC East before Week 18.
It’s been a strange season for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys, who sit in first and second place in the NFC East as the postseason playoff race intensifies.
Only a few weeks ago, it seemed the Eagles were on track to defend their Super Bowl crown, won in emphatic fashion against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jalen Hurts and company could still pull it off, but recent performances suggest they’ll need to step up if they want to repeat.
Eagles stumble after promising start
Heading into Week 12, the Eagles had an 8-2 record and looked set to secure first place in the NFC East. However, back-to-back losses to the Cowboys (24-21) and the Chicago Bears (24-15) have opened the door for Dallas. And seen them flexed out of primetime.
Cowboys ride unexpected winning streak
After missing the playoffs last season, Dallas appeared destined for another disappointing campaign, made worse by losing key linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers.
A 3-5-1 record through nine games suggested they were going nowhere fast… until they strung together three straight wins. Triumphs over the Las Vegas Raiders (33-16) and the Chiefs (31-28), sandwiching their win against Philadelphia, now give them a chance to clip the Eagles’ wings.
Playoff odds and pressure mounting
Let’s be clear: the Cowboys still face a steep climb. Stats analysts give them only a 25% chance of reaching the playoffs, rising to 42% with a victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday. A loss would drop that number to just 19%.
Dallas currently sits outside the NFC playoff picture. Wild card teams - the Seattle Seahawks (9-3), Packers (8-3-1) and San Francisco 49ers (9-4) - look tough to catch.
But the opposite trajectories of the Cowboys and Eagles mean a shakeup in the NFC East lead isn’t out of the question before Week 18.
Schedule shapes the NFC East race
A fourth straight win for Brian Schottenheimer’s team against the Lions would put the Eagles under pressure, as Philadelphia does not play until Monday against the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4), who are also fighting for an AFC playoff spot.
The Eagles do have a relatively straightforward path the rest of the season, with three of their final four games against struggling teams. On paper, their toughest matchup is a road trip to the Buffalo Bills.
The Cowboys face a similar schedule, including a Week 16 clash with the Chargers. Even with continued success, Dallas may need some help from other teams to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Eagles vs Cowboys postseason battle: remaining games
| Week | Eagles vs... | Cowboys vs... |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | @ Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) | @ Detroit Lions (7-5) |
| 15 | Las Vegas Raiders (2-10) | Minnesota Vikings (4-8) |
| 16 | @ Washington Commanders (3-9) | Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) |
| 17 | @ Buffalo Bills (8-4) | @ Washington Commanders (3-9) |
| 18 | Washington Commanders (3-9) | @ New York Giants (2-11) |
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