Bears vs. Eagles: Why a Philadelphia Loss Doesn't End Their Playoff Dreams

After a heart-breaking loss against the Chicago Bears on the national stage of Monday Night Football, all hope for a playoff berth this season looks lost for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Come back in off that ledge, because there is still plenty of time left in the season.

While many will hope for a Wild Card entry into the playoffs, teams like the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears have a much better chance at taking that last spot in the playoffs.

That means the Eagles need to win the division.

Right now, the New York Giants sit atop the NFC East with a 6-2 record and the Dallas Cowboys are one game ahead of Philadelphia with a 4-4 record.

The Giants face a schedule over the next few weeks that features four division leaders as well as four divisional games that are always tougher than anyone can predict.

It’s not unreasonable to think the New York Giants, with their mediocre offense and overachieving defense, could finish the season 2-6, leaving the Giants at 8-8 at the conclusion of the season.

As for the Dallas Cowboys, their remaining schedule looks very winnable, and I can see the Cowboys going 5-3 over their last eight games.

That would leave the Dallas Cowboys at 9-7 for the season and the New York Giants at 8-8.

The Eagles can win this division with a 9-7 record if they continue to dominate the NFC East by beating their divisional foes for the rest of the season.

While Philadelphia is much better than their record indicates, their losses have come because of their inability to stop the opposition's run game. The good news is that the Eagles don’t face another stellar running back for the rest of the season.

Philadelphia will have to go 6-2 over the last eight games, but their elite pass protection as well as the improving run defense, coupled with the potent air attack and ground game, will allow them to finish the season tied at the top of the NFC East.

It will be the Eagles record in the division that gives them the eventual playoff berth.

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