2 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

This is not a rhythm passing team where we could lose some delicate balance we've had this year and risk coming out flat in the playoffs. When the OL blows open holes and Barkley dominates, everything else falls into place. This is also a smart, well-coached defense that has played too many snaps this year. The opportunity for a rested defense, rested Barkley, and just maybe an OL that is healthier than it's been since week 1 will (IMO) do far more to facilitate a fast start wild card weekend than even the best case scenario feel-good performance against the Bills.

If there was a real shot at the 2 seed, I'd disagree. But there isn't. If this was any other year with a capable offense, I'd disagree. But it's this offense this year. There's nothing that's going to change and make this offense click between now and the playoffs. If this team wins, it's going to be on the defense, and the defense needs rest.

1 hour ago, Iggles_Phan said:

Looks like the 4th seed in that case, based on win pct in common games. I think its unlikely that the Panthers sweep the Bucs though. As long as the Bucs don't ish the bed against the Dolphins next week, even if they lose today, the last game of the year will determine the NFC South. And somehow, I just don't see the Panthers as being legit. 🤷‍♂️

They might be our best ally in the playoffs though.

Consider this... the Rams look like the most obvious team to land in the 5 seed. The 49ers and Seattle in the final week will likely determine the 1 and 6 seed.

So, the likely playoff seeding becomes...

1 - Seahawks/49ers final week winner.

2 - Bears

3 - Eagles

4 - Panthers/Bucs

5 - Rams

6 - 49ers/Seahawks loser.

7 - Packers

Making the matchups - Packers @ Bears, 49ers/Seahawks @ Eagles and Rams @ Bucs/Panthers.

Eagles could have the benefit of a 'bye' while the 49ers and Seahawks beat each other up. The Rams get the benefit of a weak schedule leading to their matchup against the Bucs/Panthers winner, after they beat themselves up. And the Bears seem to be playing on the edge of a knife. They could easily slip that first week. Then again, the Packers might go into a tailspin.

Either way, the 4 seed is likely to be knocked off by the Rams, setting them up to go on the road to a division foe in the NFC Divisional Round. If the Bears stumble as well, the Eagles host another playoff game. If not, they go to Soldier Field looking for revenge for the earlier beating. Tough spot for the Eagles, but not impossible. The Bears are doing a lot of this with smoke and mirrors. And if the Rams can knock off their division rival, and the Eagles handle business in Chicago... the NFC CG comes back to Philadelphia. I don't think that scenario is that far fetched.

Thank you!!!. If we can take care of business in the wild card I think we will host the Packers as I think they will def beat the Bears in the WC round. Then to your point the Rams take care of their div foe on the road and a NFCCG at home :) Not too far fetched at all provided we handle our home playoff games

Clinching the Division this early gives the Eagles so many options. I'm happy by half everything just clicked and they realized, let's end this right now. To win the Division and Eliminate the Cowboys completely was great. Yes the schedule let up these last two games facing our former backups and Josh Johnson of all people, but it was a brutal early schedule. Yes Special Teams played their worst game of the season but O and D picked up the slack. Jake had a bad day. He's human, it's okay he will respond. Next week they are headed to ice cold frozen snowy Buffalo.

2 minutes ago, shlo said:

If there was a real shot at the 2 seed, I'd disagree. But there isn't. If this was any other year with a capable offense, I'd disagree. But it's this offense this year. There's nothing that's going to change and make this offense click between now and the playoffs. If this team wins, it's going to be on the defense, and the defense needs rest.

Well there's also the OL/Barkley issue. They have refused to allow injured players to get healthy all year. Hurts and Patullo have been debated, but the universal common denominator everyone has agreed upon is that the OL is run blocking like crap. That is something that actually has a chance to change with extended rest. And that's what makes it a no-brainer for me. If rest gets this OL run blocking again, then the sky is the limit. How could we not choose that door?

1 hour ago, HazletonEagle said:

You are correct. That was a ref proving Puka wrong and NOT wanting to go on TV to say he didn't complete the process of the catch. He was looking at him like "OH crap you didnt really just let go of that ball."

He rolled over twice before letting go. It was a catch.

No more Tush Push, please. Take that play out of the playbook. Just hand the ball off to Saquon or Tank. Or, keep running plays off of that formation.

23 minutes ago, eagle45 said:

Well there's also the OL/Barkley issue. They have refused to allow injured players to get healthy all year. Hurts and Patullo have been debated, but the universal common denominator everyone has agreed upon is that the OL is run blocking like crap. That is something that actually has a chance to change with extended rest. And that's what makes it a no-brainer for me. If rest gets this OL run blocking again, then the sky is the limit. How could we not choose that door?

I think one of the issues with the O Line play this year is that the scheme doesn't help them. It's so obvious when the Eagles are going to pass or run. The coaching staff really puts the burden on the players to just be better than the other team's players. There's little help from the scheme to add an advantage. I'm not saying the O Line has been great, but that they haven't had much help from the scheme and play calling.

1 hour ago, eagle45 said:

I understand that opinion, but respectfully disagree. I see a team that had 15 games to sort it out this year and made absolutely zero progress in doing so. Excluding the debate about Hurts and Patullo (and they are the QB and OC for the playoffs, so that's not changing), that leaves 2 theoretically reversible problems......the need for more time to build confidence/rhythm/sort-it-out or the need to get a healthy OL and rested Barkley.

Again, they had 15 games with no progress on the former option. I really don't think a 20 degree game against the Bills is the missing piece. But 21 days of r&r might actually do it for Barkley and the OL.

The offense has absolutely, objectively, and inarguably made progress the last few weeks.

@mattwill

Don't I get credit for my bonus pick?

TD

They've clearly discovered that spreading the field with empty sets is almost impossible to defend. It's like they don't want to use it too much before the playoffs but it's there if they want it.

Today is a dead day for the Eagles regarding playoff seeding. Only the 49ers game tomorrow night matters.

I'm personally fine with resting starters for 2 straight games so we can try to win with freshness, but we'll probably play starters vs. Buffalo and rest up vs. Commanders.

I think this as well. It makes sense. Only guy I rest next week is Barkley.

3 hours ago, pgcd3 said:

Amazing that 7 days ago people here were sure we’d choke the division

I was wondering after Elliot missed another kick and Johnson hit DS. They would be playing for a BYE if he hit a FG vs the Cowboys and Chargers.

2 hours ago, shlo said:

Chicago is the team I least want to play. Their O Line and running game carved us up. Stopping the run is this defense's weakness, and I think that's the worst match-up for them.

Disagree, Caleb Williams doesn’t scare me. The Rams are very good IMO

Take all the picks Howie 🤣

1 minute ago, Diehardfan said:

I was wondering after Elliot missed another kick and Johnson hit DS. They would be playing for a BYE if he hit a FG vs the Cowboys and Chargers.

He needs to go as having a fg completion% of 77% and 70% back to back years is horrible. I know he was better in the playoffs last year but still. His misses has cost us multiple times this year.

2 hours ago, eagle45 said:

Playing Buffalo in 20 degrees isn’t the thing to get them firing on all cylinders. A healthy OL might though.

How so, most playoff paths lead through playing in the elements.

Another possible scenario is the Lions win out meaning they beat the Bears along the way. Bears also lose to the Niners and the packers lose one from Ravens/ Vikes and we win 1 of the final 2. BOOM... Second seed for us.

20 minutes ago, Mike31mt said:

They've clearly discovered that spreading the field with empty sets is almost impossible to defend. It's like they don't want to use it too much before the playoffs but it's there if they want it.

I am convinced Eagles are saving some stuff for the playoffs and haven't showed everything. That's how Siri is wired. A repeat of last year's playoffs. They will be more creative and show new wrinkles with tendencies on offense. And as I keep saying Lane Johnson is the big wildcard if healthy.

23 minutes ago, RLC said:

Today is a dead day for the Eagles regarding playoff seeding. Only the 49ers game tomorrow night matters.

I'm personally fine with resting starters for 2 straight games so we can try to win with freshness, but we'll probably play starters vs. Buffalo and rest up vs. Commanders.

Not true. If TB wins then Eagles are assured of the #3 seed at worst.

24 minutes ago, Mike31mt said:

They've clearly discovered that spreading the field with empty sets is almost impossible to defend. It's like they don't want to use it too much before the playoffs but it's there if they want it.

It’s almost like doing that doesn’t allow the D to mush zone and basically take away the entire field if they aren’t in condensed sets.

22 minutes ago, RLC said:

Today is a dead day for the Eagles regarding playoff seeding. Only the 49ers game tomorrow night matters.

I'm personally fine with resting starters for 2 straight games so we can try to win with freshness, but we'll probably play starters vs. Buffalo and rest up vs. Commanders.

Especially Lane. I have no clue what is going on with Carters "shoulders" but maybe just keep him out. I'd want to get Landon and/or Cam rest too. Those guys are beaten up. Dean can rest that hammy as well. This team just can't help themselves with forcing guys back this year.

1 minute ago, jojodancer said:

I am convinced Eagles are saving some stuff for the playoffs and haven't showed everything. That's how Siri is wired. A repeat of last year's playoffs. They will be more creative and show new wrinkles with tendencies on offense. And as I keep saying Lane Johnson is the big wildcard if healthy.

They’re saving playing competent football on O for the playoffs? That’s a bold strategy.

Translated there’s only one guy who knows what he is doing on the coaching staff