Eagles rooting guide for Week 4 games

Now that the fourth Sunday of the 2021 NFL regular season is here, it’s time to run through a Philadelphia Eagles-focused rooting guide for all of the Week 4 games. This exercise will be especially interesting this year since the Birds have more things to care about than usual due to owning picks from the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts in the 2022 NFL Draft.

EAGLES GAME

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: It sure would be nice if the Eagles looked competitive in this one. You know, actually make it a game, unlike they did in the loss to Dallas. Root for the Eagles, of course.

NFC EAST

NEW YORK GIANTS at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS: The 0-3 Giants have the NFL’s toughest remaining schedule. There’s a real chance they might start out 0-10. With that in mind, let’s hope they steal a win or two as not to end up with the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. Plus a Saints loss could be good for the Eagles in terms of competing for a wild card spot. Root for the Giants.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM at ATLANTA FALCONS: Not unlike the Giants, Washington has a tough schedule the rest of the way. If you’re of the mind they’re not a true playoff threat, you might as well root for them to pick up some wins that’ll ruin their draft positioning as they eventually search for a new franchise quarterback. Wouldn’t be the worst thing if they beat a bad Falcons team. Root for the Football Team.

CAROLINA PANTHERS at DALLAS COWBOYS: Really not trying to see the Cowboys advance to 3-1. Root for the Panthers.

DRAFT PICK WATCH

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at MIAMI DOLPHINS: Huge game as it relates to the Eagles’ interest! The optimal outcome here is Carson Wentz playing 100% of the snaps in a Colts win. Two reasons why: 1) Miami’s pick owed to Philly becomes more favorable and 2) Indy needs to not be in a position where they bench Wentz to protect the pick they owe to the Birds. If the Colts start 0-4, they could sooner reach the point of punting on the season. Root for the Colts.

TENNESSEE TITANS at NEW YORK JETS: The Eagles should want the Colts to think they’re still alive for the AFC South title so that Indy doesn’t eventually bench Wentz. A Titans loss would be helpful in that regard. Then again, rooting for the Jets is probably pretty futile. And it would be ideal for NYJ to be ahead of NYG and WFT in the draft order. But we’ll stick with the original reasoning here. Root for the Jets.

HOUSTON TEXANS at BUFFALO BILLS: The Eagles don’t want to see the Dolphins win the AFC East. The Texans losing also helps the Colts stay competitive in the AFC South. Root for the Bills.

DETROIT LIONS at CHICAGO BEARS: The Bears are a bigger threat to make the playoffs but they’re not overly dangerous in that regard. Chicago winning is preferable because it keeps Detroit towards the top of the draft order. It also prevents the Giants from getting a more favorable 2022 first-round pick from the Bears. Root for the Bears.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS at GREEN BAY PACKERS: Rooting for the Steelers is probably futile because Ben Roethlisberger is looking toast. But the Steelers somehow earning a wild card spot would mean one less spot for Miami/Indy. Plus the Packers losing helps the Eagles’ playoff chances. Root for the Steelers.

BALTIMORE RAVENS at DENVER BRONCOS: More competition in the AFC playoff picture is a good thing for the Eagles since it doesn’t help Miami/Indy. Root for the Ravens.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: From the Bill Belichick vs. Tom Brady angle, I’d argue it’s more entertaining if the coach loses. Brady has already proved his greatness. Belichick has more to lose. From an Eagles standpoint, it’s better if the NFC team loses to the AFC team. The Pats winning means worse playoff chances for Miami/Indy. Root for the Patriots.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: More competition in the AFC playoff picture is a good thing for the Eagles since it doesn’t help Miami/Indy. Root for the Chargers.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

CLEVELAND BROWNS at MINNESOTA VIKINGS: The Vikings losing helps the Eagles in terms of competing for a wild card spot. The Browns winning also potentially leaves less room for Miami/Indy in the AFC playoff picture. Root for the Browns.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS at SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: If you’re rooting for the Eagles to make the playoffs, it’s more beneficial if Seattle wins here. If you’re rooting for the Eagles to acquire Russell Wilson after this season, it’s more beneficial if Seattle loses here. The former might be more likely. Root for the Seahawks.

ARIZONA CARDINALS at LOS ANGELES RAMS: The Eagles might not be able to catch either team but they probably have a better chance (albeit low) of passing the Cards than the Rams. Root for the Rams.