NFL Playoff Picture: Eagles’ win over Redskins sets up huge game against Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles are still alive in the NFL playoff picture after beating the Washington Redskins on Monday night, 28 to 13.

Beating Washington means the Eagles can now actually take first place in the NFC East by defeating the Cowboys in Dallas this Sunday. In that scenario, both teams would be 7-6 overall but Philadelphia would own the division record tie-breaker (4-1 beats 3-2).

Beating the Cowboys in Week 14 doesn’t guarantee the Eagles will win the division. The Cowboys would have a chance to make up lost ground by gaining a game on the Eagles in the final three weeks. Here’s a comparison of their schedules:

EAGLES: at Rams (11-1), versus Texans (9-3), at Washington (6-6)

COWBOYS: at Colts (6-6), versus Buccaneers (5-7), at Giants (4-8)

As you can see, the Eagles have the tougher slate.

And there’s really no guarantee the Eagles beat the Cowboys. Philadelphia already lost to Dallas at home in Week 10. The Cowboys are coming off a very impressive win over the Saints. They’ll also have a rest advantage given that they played last Thursday and the Eagles are traveling to AT&T Stadium on a short week.

But hey, don’t let me rain on your parade. Hope is still alive. It’s up to the Eagles to not let everyone down in their biggest game of the year with the season on the line.

(As for wild card hopes, you can read more about that by CLICKING HERE.)

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

PLAYOFF TEAMS

1 - Los Angeles Rams: 11-1 overall, 7-1 conference

2 - New Orleans Saints: 10-2 overall, 7-2 conference

3 - Chicago Bears: 8-4 overall, 6-2 conference

4 - Dallas Cowboys: 7-5 overall, 6-3 conference

5 - Seattle Seahawks: 7-5 overall, 6-3 conference

6 - Minnesota Vikings: 6-5-1 overall, 5-3-1 conference

IN THE HUNT

7 - Carolina Panthers: 6-6 overall, 4-5 conference

8 - Philadelphia Eagles: 6-6 overall, 4-5 conference

9 - Washington Redskins: 6-6 overall, 6-4 conference

10 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5-7 overall, 4-5 conference

DEAD

11 - Green Bay Packers: 4-7-1 overall, 2-5-1 conference

12 - Atlanta Falcons: 4-8 overall, 4-4 conference

13 - New York Giants: 4-8 overall, 3-7 conference

14 - Detroit Lions: 4-8 overall, 2-7 conference

15 - Arizona Cardinals: 3-9 overall, 3-5 conference

16 - San Francisco 49ers: 2-10 overall, 1-8 conference