Nick Foles and the Eagles still control their playoff destiny, but Sunday's loss to the Vikings was still a costly one in the playoff picture. (Image of courtesy FanSided)
As far as winning the NFC East is concerned, Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys gave the Philadelphia Eagles an early Christmas gift Sunday.
Even though the Eagles were embarrassed at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings, falling 48-30 at Mall of America Field Sunday afternoon, Romo's three interceptions leading to a Green Bay Packers comeback win rendered Philadelphia's loss all but meaningless in the playoff picture.
Sure, the Eagles still control their destiny in the NFC East race and can clinch the division as early as Sunday night with a win over the Chicago Bears at Lincoln Financial Field combined with a Cowboys loss to Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins earlier in the day.
However, what the loss to Minnesota cost Chip Kelly and company was the opportunity to have the division wrapped up by winning their game Sunday regardless of the Cowboys outcome which would render the December 29th game between these two teams meaningless.
If the Cowboys top the Redskins and the Eagles beat the Bears though, the season finale would have the division crown on the line. Same goes for both teams losing in next Sunday or a Cowboys win regardless of the Eagles outcome.
Kelly may have an interesting dilemma on his hands if the Cowboys manage to halt their two-game skid against the Redskins. That's because if the Eagles enter the season finale either tied or one game up in the standings with the Cowboys, they must beat Dallas head-to-head because the only edge they currently hold in their favor would be overall record, meaning ostensibly that the game against the Bears is effectively meaningless if the Cowboys win.
Sunday's loss to the Vikings eliminated them from contention in both the wild card and the chance to compete for the second-seed in the NFC.
Now, the best the Eagles can finish this season is 10-6 which would guarantee them the division title but also the only way they make the postseason.
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
