Eagles Get No Help During Week 15

The Birds have yet to play this week--they host Cleveland tonight--but they got no help from yesterday's games, mathematically making it a little harder for them to make the playoffs. Without going into all the possibilities, here's the jist of it:

SUMMARY: The current Wild Card participants are the Buccaneers (9-5) and the Cowboys (9-5). The Bucs lost in OT to Atlanta (also 9-5) in a game they should've won. The Cowboys overcame their dysfunction to beat the suddenly vulnerable Giants pretty handily in Dallas. Both these teams have an opportunity to win 11 games, unlike the Eagles, so if they both win-out, the Eagles will not make the playoffs.

THE BUCS: Their final two games are at home. Next week against the inconsistent and underachieving Chargers, and then the Raiders in the final week of the season. On an unrelated note, isn't it curious that the Eagles last two games are against division rivals, and the Bucs get to finish up against two AFC teams? Anyway, the Chargers are still playing for something, but who knows what team will show up. And then in Week 17, the Bucs should destroy the Raiders, who forced Gruden out of town earlier this decade. I would not be at all surprised if the Bucs win their next two games and hold their Wild Card spot.

THE COWBOYS: Next week, they face a tough Ravens D in Dallas, and then finish against the Eagles in Philly. Romo is beat up, so that should work in our favor, but don't expect Dallas to fall easily next weekend. They played very well last night against the Giants, despite the alleged distractions from last week. No matter what happens, Week 17 in Philly will be a battle. So, if they win-out, they too hold their Wild Card spot. In terms of the Eagles chances, however, which rely on them winning out, I'm counting Week 17 as a loss for the Cowboys.

THE FALCONS: The Falcons are definitely the real-deal, holding on to beat a tough Tampa team in OT yesterday. Next weekend, they travel to Minnesota to play the division leading Vikings, who need to win to hold off the Bears. I don't expect the Falcons to win this game on the road, but you never know. They've played like winners all year. And then they're lucky enough to finish the season against the Rams at home. They won't lose this game. Because the Falcons still sit a half game ahead of the Eagles, we need them to lose one of their final two games or we don't have a chance, even if we win-out.

OTHER SCENARIOS: Chicago is quietly only a game behind the Vikings, and they finish against Green Bay at home, and then Houston on the road. Chances are, if the Bears end up winning the division, it will not affect the Wild Card, but who knows. If Atlanta wins-out, and Tampa doesn't win again, the Eagles still have a shot, but I don't expect that to happen. Who knows though. It's great for fans and the league that there are so many different outcomes this late in the season. That's why the NFL is king.

Tonight's game against the Browns should be fun. Here's hoping that the good Eagles show up.