NFL Playoff Picture: Eagles and More Longshot Teams Crashing Playoffs

The NFL Playoff picture is almost set for the Wild Card round. However, there are a few spots still open that will allow a team like the Philadelphia Eagles to crash in and do some damage. 

Philadelphia Eagles

Since their quarterback Michael Vick came back from his rib injury, the Eagles are 2-0 with the offense scoring 64 points. While the offense has had a resurgence, the defense is also playing some of their best football only allowing 29 points in two games. 

With this lethal combination late in the season, the Eagles, at 6-8, look promising going into their final two games against Dallas and Washington, which will give them a chance at making the playoffs as NFC East division champion. In fact, against the Cowboys and Redskins earlier this year, the Eagles won both games by a combined score of 54-20 making their victory even more likely. 

If they can get into the playoffs, the Eagles will be a dangerous team having won their last four games with an offense that ranks in the top half of the NFL in passing and rushing. 

San Diego Chargers

The Chargers were stuck in this same situation last year; during their first seven games, they went 2-5 only to finish the season 7-2. This year, they had a stretch of seven games where they went 1-6, but have won their last three games. 

Now, San Diego has a chance to win their final two games against the Lions and the Raiders. They will finish at 9-7 again, but this year with a better chance at winning the AFC West. 

During the Chargers three game winning streak, they have outscored their opponents 109-38. Over those three games, quarterback Phillip Rivers has thrown seven touchdowns to no interceptions with 804 passing yards. With these types of statistics backing them up, they are another favorable team to make the playoffs.

And, if San Diego can get into the playoffs as the AFC West champion, they will be a tough team to defeat with their Top 10 passing offense and defense. 

Seattle Seahawks 

To make the playoffs, Seattle has to win their final two games with either the Detroit Lions or the Atlanta Falcons losing their final two games. Looking at the schedules of the Lions and Falcons, Detroit is the more likely candidate to blow their chances.

If the Lions lose to San Diego at home and Green Bay on the road, then the Seahawks still need to win at home against San Francisco and on the road to Arizona. Because of the conference winning percentage tie-breaker, with this scenario, Seattle would then get the No. 6 seed. 

Is this likely? Seattle has won five of their last six games by using a punishing running game led by Marshawn Lynch. While Lynch has sparked this offense to score 71 points in their last three games, the defense has also shut opponents down to only 41 points. 

While no one likes having to rely on other teams losing to determine their own fate, if Seattle makes the playoffs, they will utilize a top 15 passing and rushing defense to help them keep their winning momentum. 

These three teams still have a chance, no matter how small, at making the playoffs this year. And, if they can force their way into the postseason, they are sure to make a lot of noise winning at least one playoff game. 

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