NFL Playoff Picture: Eagles Fans Rooting Guide for Week 8

The 3-4 Philadelphia Eagles have the day off since it's their bye week. It's time to relax and watch other NFL teams play instead. According to Football Outsiders, Philadelphia currently has a 41.4% chance of qualifying for post-season play. Despite a disappointing so far, the Eagles are not dead yet. Here's our Eagles fan rooting guide for NFL Week 8.

The NFC Least

Seattle Seahawks (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (2-4)

Root for the Seahawks, obviously. It's hard not to like Seattle's chances in this one. The Cowboys have lost four games in a row since starting out the season 2-0. Dallas made a quarterback change from Brandon Weeden to Matt Cassel last week but it didn't make much of a difference. Cassel threw three picks in the team's loss to the Giants.

The Cowboys are probably getting Dez Bryant back this week, but it sounds like his snaps might be monitored. Even if he plays on a full-time basis, Seattle should be able to keep him in check thanks to Cassel playing at quarterback.

A loss to the Seahawks will drop the Cowboys to 2-5. Then next week it's the Eagles who will becoming to Dallas with the potential to bury the Cowboys' season by knocking them down to 2-6. Note that Tony Romo isn't eligible to return until late November at the earliest.

New York Giants (4-3) at New Orleans Saints (3-4)

The Saints are riding a two-game win streak with qualities victory against the previously undefeated Atlanta Falcons and the Colts in Indianapolis. The Saints are always more of a threat at the Superdome so this shouldn't be a walk in the park for the Giants.

With that said, the Saints still have a pretty bad defense. Rob Ryan's unit ranks second to last in the NFL by Football Outsiders. New York's offense shouldn't struggle to find success against them.

On the other hand, the Saints are playing well offensively. They've combined for 58 points scored in their last two wins. The Giants' defense isn't exactly a juggernaut so I like the Saints' chances here, especially at home.

Washington Redskins (3-4)

Like the Eagles, Washington has a bye. No game for them.

Around the NFC

Outside of the games that involves the Eagles' division opponents, there are some conference opponents to keep an eye on. Philadelphia currently ranks 10th in the NFC, so they have an uphill battle to be in contention for a wild card spot, but it's not impossible.

Detroit Lions (1-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (2-5): Root for Andy Reid to beat the Lions in London.

Atlanta Falcons (6-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-4): Right now, it looks like the team who doesn't finish first in the NFC South could be the top wild card spot. The Eagles might be too far behind the Falcons to catch up, especially with the head-to-head tiebreaker working against Philadelphia, but you can root for the Bucs anyway.

Arizona Cardinals (5-2) at Cleveland Browns (2-5): Always root for the AFC team against the NFC team. So, the Browns in this case.

San Francisco 49ers (2-5) at St. Louis Rams (3-3): The Rams are the bigger threat to a wild card spot since the awful 49ers probably aren't going anywhere fast. Root for San Francisco to beat Nick Foles.

Minnesota Vikings (4-2) at Chicago Bears (2-4): The Bears are less of a threat than the Vikings, so Chicago is the pick.

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Denver Broncos (6-0): Rooting against Aaron Rodgers seems futile and probably won't make much of a difference, but you can do it anyway.

Indianapolis Colts (3-4) at Carolina Panthers (6-0): Maybe the Colts will avenge the Eagles' loss from last week. But probably not.