Eagles Playoff Scenarios: Seeds, Matchups, Super Bowl Odds

PHILADLEPHIA, PA — It wasn't always pretty, and some Eagles fans have never taken their hands off their Kevin Patullo-labeled egg cartons, but the Birds have once again taken down one of the NFL's preeminent squads and head into the final week of the regular season with a chance for the second seed in the NFC.

The Eagles held off a late charge to defeat the Bills in Buffalo, 13-12, on Sunday. They improved to 11-5.

It was a game that many will argue the Eagles should not have won, particularly given that they did not complete a pass in the entire second half. But despite the offensive struggles, the Birds defense stepped up huge when it was most needed. The Bills were stopped in their tracks in the red zone time and again Sunday, including a huge stop on 4th and goal and then again a stop on a decisive two point conversion with just seconds remaining in the game.

Here's what to know as the playoffs approach and the Birds attempt to return to the Super Bowl in 2026.

Playoff seeding

The NFL seeds the four division winners as the top four seeds in the playoffs, regardless of the records of the wild card teams. The Birds have clinched at least the third seed in the NFC, as they have sealed their NFC East division championship and they're comfortably ahead of the fourth division winner, the NFC South's 8-8 Carolina Panthers.

The Eagles and the NFC North champion Chicago Bears now both sit at 11-5, but the Bears hold on to the second seed for now because they hold the tiebreaker over the Eagles after beating them earlier in the year.

However, next week's matchups leave the door cracked open for the Birds to grab the second seed. The Bears have to face a tough Detroit Lions squad that is surely better than their 8-8 record, while the Eagles get a relatively mild matchup with a flagging 4-12 Washington Commanders team at home.

If the Birds win and the Bears lose or tie, the Eagles would take sole possession of the second seed. Any other outcome, however, would leave the Eagles as the third seed.

Playoff matchups

As the second seed, the Birds would host the NFC Wild Card round game against the Green Bay Packers. While the Packers are good, it's a much better matchup for the Eagles than what awaits them as the third seed.

If the Birds are the third seed, they'll likely have to play either the San Francisco 49ers (currently 12-4), or the Los Angeles Rams (currently 11-4). Both are legitimate Super Bowl contenders. A first round draw with the Niners would be roughly akin to the Phillies vs. Dodgers playing in the NLDS, while a matchup with the Rams feels more favorable on paper due to the Eagles recent track record against them. However, the Eagles have snuck by the Rams so many times in a row now that it feels the odds have to start to favor LA.

Much will depend on the results of the titanic week 17 clash between the Niners and the current number one seed in the NFC, the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks. The winner becomes the one seed. The loser will be the five or six seed, depending on how the Rams finish up.

Super Bowl odds

The Eagles are tied for the fourth best odds to win it all, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with plus 900 odds heading into week 17. The Niners are also at plus 900.

The Rams are the betting favorites at plus 450, with the Seahawks (plus 600), and the Denver Broncos (plus 800) just ahead of them.