Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) waits in the tunnel with teammates before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Tommy Gilligan
The Eagles are nipping at the heels of the Detroit Lions for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Even though they are a game back, the Eagles have one thing working massively in their favor — remaining strength of schedule.
By virtue of a Thanksgiving Day victory over the Chicago Bears that improved them to 11-1, the Lions are the No. 1 seed in the NFC. With their eighth consecutive win, the Eagles moved to 10-2, though. And as Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice points out, the Eagles have an easier path to the top seed, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason:
The Eagles' and Lions' remaining schedules:
— Jimmy Kempski (@jimmykempski.bsky.social) December 1, 2024 at 9:08 PM
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While the Commanders won Sunday to improve to 8-5, the Eagles essentially have a three-game lead in the NFC East because they've already defeated Washington head-to-head once.
For as great as the Lions have been — and make no mistake, they've been the best team in the NFL so far — they are only a game ahead of the 10-2 Minnesota Vikings in the NFC North. The Green Bay Packers are 9-3. Normally, when you're talking about an 11-1 team, they're pretty close to clinching their division. There's still a scenario, as unlikely as it might be, that the Lions finish third in the NFC North.
It does feel like one way or another that the Eagles and Lions are on a collision course, likely to meet in the NFC Championship Game. Whether that game is outdoors at Lincoln Financial Field in late January or indoors at Ford Field might determine who represents the NFC in Super Bowl LIX.
