How the Eagles Can Soar to the No. 1 Seed: Eagles’ Roadmap to the Top Spot Revealed

The Philadelphia Eagles’ playoff aspirations took a hit in Week 16 after a frustrating 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders. A win would have locked up the NFC East and crucial playoff position, but the Eagles now find themselves battling to keep their hopes for the No. 1 seed alive.

But all hope isn’t lost. With two games left, the Eagles still have a realistic—albeit challenging—path to secure home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Detroit Lions (13-2) and Minnesota Vikings (13-2) may hold the edge for now, but Philadelphia can leapfrog both with a few key outcomes.

The Eagles need to win out and hope for a Lions and Vikings stumble.

To secure the No. 1 seed, the Eagles must win their final two games against the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. But that’s only part of the equation. They also need the Lions and Vikings to lose in Week 17 and for the Vikings to beat the Lions in Week 18 to close the regular season.

If these results unfold, the Eagles and Vikings would both finish at 14-3. Philadelphia would hold the common-opponents tiebreaker over Minnesota due to wins against teams the Vikings struggled against, such as the Packers and Rams. This would grant the Eagles home-field advantage and a first-round bye.

A look at the most critical matchups impacting the Eagles’ playoff hopes.

The Lions’ Week 17 clash with the 49ers is pivotal. While San Francisco has already been eliminated from the playoff race, their defense could present challenges for Detroit’s high-powered offense. Similarly, the Vikings’ Week 17 showdown with the Packers looms large.y can pull off an upset on the road, the Eagles’ path to the No. 1 seed becomes far more manageable.

Philadelphia fans can still hold out hope for a deep playoff run.

While clinching the No. 1 seed remains a difficult task, the Eagles are well-positioned to make noise in the playoffs regardless of their seeding. The defense has been a cornerstone of their success, and Jalen Hurts’ leadership gives them an edge in clutch moments.

For fans eager to see how the playoff picture could change, head over to PFN’s free NFL Playoff Predictor to explore scenarios and watch how each game reshapes the postseason bracket. It’s a perfect tool to follow along as the Eagles chase their ultimate goal of a Super Bowl run.