Eagles Playoff Clinching Scenarios

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Week 16 in the NFL concluded last night with the Miami Dolphins prevailing over the New Orleans Saints 20-3.

The Saints loss puts them at 7-8, pushing them to the No. 10 seed with the Philadelphia Eagles owning the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The Eagles currently sit at the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture at 8-7 thanks to a 34-10 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday.

Teams along with the Eagles who are in the hunt include the San Francisco 49ers, Saints, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and Washington Football Team.

Heading into Week 17, the Eagles control their own destiny in their hunt for a playoff spot. If they win out, they are locked in as a playoff team.

However, the Eagles do have a possibility of clinching a playoff spot next week on the road in Washington.

Imagine telling a fan that at the beginning of the season!

© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Here is how it can happen. 

If the Eagles handle Washington in Week 17, the team would need the Green Bay Packers to beat the Vikings and either the 49ers to defeat the Texans or Carolina Panthers to beat the Saints in order to clinch a playoff berth.

If we want to be ambitious, the Eagles still have a shot at securing the No. 5 and No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture.

For the No. 5 seed, the Eagles need to win out (at WSH, vs DAL) and need the Arizona Cardinals to lose both of their remaining games (at DAL, vs SEA). While it may be the least likely scenario, it still is possible. 

Another scenario for the Eagles is the No. 6 seed. This has a possibility of happening if the Eagles win out and the 49ers lose their remaining games (vs HOU, at LAR). 

If the season ended today with the Eagles locked into the No. 7 seed, their first-round matchup would be the No. 4 seeded Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. 

From starting 2-5, the Eagles have won 6 of their last 8 games and are on course for a playoff berth while owning three first round picks. 

Philadelphia and Washington play at FedEx Field on Sunday at 1 p.m.