NFL teams
Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer 6y

First-round bye, home field in sight for Nick Foles and Eagles

PHILADELPHIA -- If there's a silver lining with the Carson Wentz injury, it's that he left the Philadelphia Eagles in excellent shape when it comes to playoff positioning.

The Eagles own the best record in the NFC (11-2) with three regular-season games remaining. They can clinch a first-round bye with a win at the New York Giants on Sunday and would capture home field throughout the playoffs if the Minnesota Vikings (10-3) also lose at home to the Cincinnati Bengals.

There have been 54 No. 1 seeds in either conference since 1990. According to ESPN Stats & Information, 28 of those teams have reached the Super Bowl (including seven of the past eight) and 13 have won the Super Bowl.

Even if the Vikings don't help them, all the Eagles have to do is win two of their final three games to ensure that the NFC postseason runs through Philly. After the Giants game, the Eagles close out the regular season with home games against the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. ESPN FPI has the Eagles as significant favorites in each of their remaining games despite the quarterback change from Wentz to Nick Foles.

The Eagles' Super Bowl odds were impacted by the Wentz injury, as you might expect. Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas had them as 6-1 favorites to win it all entering Week 14. Those odds are now at 12-1. Meanwhile, the Vikings have emerged as the favorites to win the conference.

The NFC playoffs are shaping up to be very competitive. Here's what the seeding would look like if the season ended today:

1. Eagles

2. Vikings

3. Rams

4. Saints

5. Panthers

6. Falcons

The Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers -- now with Aaron Rodgers back in the fold -- are in the hunt, and the same goes for the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, who get running back Ezekiel Elliott back for the final two games.

There are some quality quarterbacks in this group of potential playoff teams. Given how well Case Keenum has played for Minnesota this year, it's hard to find a matchup in which the Eagles would have the advantage at quarterback. But Foles has some experience going for him -- he's actually the last Eagles QB to start a playoff game (2013) -- and has a quality team around him.

Just as important, he wouldn't have to leave the friendly confines of Lincoln Financial Field until the Super Bowl if the team can take care of business in the next week or two. The Eagles are a perfect 6-0 at home so far this year.

 

 

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