Eagles loss leaves door open for Cowboys in NFC East

The NFC East title, and the No. 1 seed in the NFC, is suddenly in some serious doubt for the Philadelphia Eagles. 

It will now all come down to Week 18 after they lost their second consecutive game on Sunday, dropping a 20-10 decision to the New Orleans Saints.

That drops the Eagles to 13-3, while the 12-4 Dallas Cowboys remain on their heels thanks to their win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night.

All of that means Dallas still has a very real chance to steal the division away from the Eagles, something that seemed almost impossible to believe just a few weeks ago.

But if the Cowboys are able to beat a Washington Commanders team that is badly fading down the stretch (and has no good quarterback option), combined with an Eagles loss to the New York Giants, Dallas will win the NFC East. 

Given that the Giants will have almost nothing to play for after clinching a playoff spot on Sunday that may not be likely, but it is certainly possible. 

The fact it is even on the table is a stunning development given the lead the Eagles had in the division just a couple of weeks ago. 

The Eagles also have to potentially worry about the Minnesota Vikings in the race for the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

The biggest problem for the Eagles right now is injuries, especially as it relates to starting quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Hurts has missed the past two games, while his availability for Week 18 still remains in doubt. 

Backup Gardner Minshew played well in place of Hurts during their loss to the Cowboys a week ago, but he struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Saints. 

The Eagles have had an incredible regular season, but if they drop out of the top spot in the division, and potentially lose a bye week that looked like a lock after an 8-0 start and having a 13-1 record that would be a massive disappointment. 

It would also significantly reduce their chances of reaching the Super Bowl.