The Eagles headed into Week 16 with a golden opportunity: a shot at securing the top spot in the NFC and earning a bye straight to the second round of the playoffs. That coveted No. 1 seed was within reach, but after Sunday’s game, it’s going to take a lot more work to claim it.
Philadelphia suffered a heart-wrenching loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 16, falling 36-33 in a game that slipped away in dramatic fashion. The Eagles looked comfortable with a 27-14 lead as they entered the fourth quarter. However, Washington’s rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, turned up the heat, leading a stunning 22-point rally. The nail in the coffin came with just six seconds left on the clock, as Daniels connected with Jamison Crowder for a game-winning touchdown, handing the Eagles a bitter defeat.
While this loss doesn’t shake up the NFC East standings—Philadelphia still leads the division by two games—it does pump the brakes on their momentum. A win would have clinched the division title for the Eagles, but now, with just two regular-season games left, they’ll need one more win or a Commanders loss to seal it.
The bigger impact of the loss, though, is on the Eagles’ hunt for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Thanks to a decisive win by the Detroit Lions over the Chicago Bears, Detroit now holds a one-game edge over Philadelphia in the race for the top spot. For the Eagles, this means the path to that first-round bye just got steeper. Nick Sirianni’s squad likely needs to win their remaining games and hope for a Lions slip-up to reclaim the lead.
NFC Playoff Standings After Week 16
| Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lions | 13-2 |
| 2 | Eagles | 12-3 |
| 3 | Rams | 9-6 |
| 4 | Falcons | 8-7 |
| 5 | Vikings | 13-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 11-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 10-5 |
The Lions and Eagles had been neck-and-neck entering Week 16, but Detroit’s win gives them a slight edge. With both teams far ahead of the other division leaders—the Rams (9-6) in the NFC West and the Falcons (8-7) in the NFC South—it’s clear the No. 1 seed will come down to either the NFC North or East champions. The Lions and Eagles remain the favorites, with the Vikings still in the mix.
The Eagles’ Playoff Picture
The Eagles are already playoff-bound, but their immediate focus is on clinching the NFC East title. It’s simple: win one of their next two games (against Dallas or New York), or wait for the Commanders to lose again.
As for the No. 1 seed, the loss to Washington was a serious setback. To leapfrog Detroit, Philadelphia will likely need to win out and hope the Lions stumble in their final stretch. The worst-case scenario for the Eagles is the No. 2 seed, which would set up a playoff rematch against the seventh-seeded Commanders.
The Lions’ Playoff Picture
The Lions are in control of their destiny. With their win over the Bears, Detroit remains in first place in the NFC and is also battling to lock up the NFC North title. The Vikings (13-2) are hot on their heels, making Week 18 a potentially explosive showdown when the two teams face off in Detroit. If both teams enter that matchup with identical 14-2 records, it’ll be a winner-takes-all game for the division crown and the No. 1 seed. But first, the Lions must face the 49ers on Monday Night Football in Week 17.
The Vikings’ Playoff Picture
The Vikings are still very much in contention for the top spot, sitting at 13-2 after a solid win against the Seahawks. While they’re currently slotted into the top wild-card spot, a path to the NFC North title and even the No. 1 seed remains open. To make it happen, Minnesota needs to win their remaining games, including the pivotal Week 18 clash against Detroit. A win in that matchup would not only give them the division but also make them the only two-loss team in the NFC, securing the top seed.
Before the big showdown with the Lions, the Vikings have to handle business at home in Week 17 against the Packers. Their margin for error is slim, but the stakes couldn’t be higher as the playoff picture comes into focus.