A few weeks ago, all hope seemed lost for the Philadelphia Eagles. The memes were everywhere, headstones marking the end of an Eagles dynasty that had just begun. But then, something miraculous happened — Nick Foles strode onto the field and saved Philadelphia’s season. Last week, Foles led the Eagles over the slumping Los Angeles Rams, 30-23, in L.A. The victory put Philly back on the playoff map and served notice not to start the funeral procession just yet.
But will it be enough to propel the Eagles to the playoffs? BetDSI has put together some odds for your financial consideration but, it doesn’t look good.
Will the Philadelphia Eagles qualify for the 2018-19 playoffs?
Yes: +140
No: -190
For the Eagles (7-7), the entire season comes down to one game, Sunday’s contest against the Houston Texans. Philadelphia has opened as a two-point favorite against the Texans, who are coming off a 29-22 victory over the New York Jets. At 10-4, Houston hasn’t officially clinched a playoff spot yet, but that’s realistically just a matter of time. They would have to lose both their final two games and the Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Titans would need to win out to not claim the AFC South title. But even then, the Texans look like they’d capture the No. 6 seed.
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In Foles’ first start since Week 2 of the season, he wasn’t great, but he wasn’t horrible either. The Rams offense, and most importantly Jared Goff, hasn’t been good at all since their bye week. Foles did just enough, finishing 24-of-31 for 270 yards and a pick. He’ll need to do better than that against Houston.
Hollywood heist.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/uOeO3uITRm
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 17, 2018
The math is simple. If Philadelphia is going to make the playoffs, they must win out. That means beating the Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, then beating the Washington Redskins on the road in Week 17.
That means this week, facing the Texans, is a playoff game for the Eagles. But even if they win both their final games, they haven’t guaranteed their spot in the postseason. They still have one obstacle in their way and they have no control over what happens there — the Minnesota Vikings.
The math is even simpler for Minnesota. If they win their final two games, they’re in and the Eagles are watching at home on their couches. The Vikings play at the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Minnesota’s problem is Week 17 when they travel to Soldier Field to face a Chicago Bears squad that could still be in the running for a No. 2 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye. It’s a tall order to win that game in that situation and, funnily enough, all it would do is guarantee a rematch between the Vikings and Bears in the Wild Card round at the same location.
Texans play at Philadelphia. Texans are 0-4 against the Eagles. Oilers were 0-7. That's Philadelphia 11, Houston 0!
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) December 17, 2018
So it comes down to this question, who do you like better? Do you like the Eagles chances to knock off the Texans Sunday or the Vikings chances to beat the Bears in Week 17? I say Eagles, so the bet for me is “yes.”
