NFL Playoff Results: Eagles will host Falcons in the Divisional Round

The Philadelphia Eagles’ opponent for the Divisional Round of the 2018 NFL Playoffs is set. It’s going to be the Atlanta Falcons.

By virtue of playoff seeding, the Eagles are set to host the lowest remaining seed in the playoffs since Philadelphia finished No. 1 in the NFC. The game is set for 4:35 PM ET on Saturday, January 13.

The No. 6 seed Falcons upset the No. 3 seed Rams in Los Angeles in the Wild Card round on Saturday evening. The Falcons won by a final score of 26 to 13.

There’s an argument to be made the Falcons are one of the most favorable matchups for Philadelphia in the playoffs.

Yes, they’re the reigning NFC champs. Yes, they employ Julio Jones. But the Falcons are just 1-4 against playoff teams this year, Matt Ryan (19 TDs, 12 INTs) has been mostly pedestrian and Atlanta has consistently been undone by untimely penalties. Oh, and they’ve been in 10 different games that were decided by less than a touchdown. Simply put, they’re the messiest of the NFC’s contenders. If you’re thinking way ahead, however, maybe you don’t even want them in the playoff picture if they’re not going to beat up on a potential Eagles opponent in the Wild Card Round.

The Eagles defeated the Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field in 2016 by a final score of 24 to 15. Jim Schwartz’s defense held a dangerous Atlanta offense to season lows in points scored, total net yards, first downs, offensive plays run, and time of possession. Philly will likely need another big defensive performance to win in the post-season, especially given the Eagles’ offensive concerns. There’s optimism to be had about Schwartz’s unit.

In other playoffs news, the No. 2 seed Minnesota Vikings will now host the winner of Sunday’s battle between the No. 4 seed New Orleans Saints and No. 5 seed Carolina Panthers.