The Eagles are headed to the postseason and it’s not too early to start daydreaming of another miracle Super Bowl run. In fact, it’s pretty easy to do given the sense of swagger and calmness that has built up around the team. But how plausible is a potential Super Bowl run?
It’s time to look at each potential playoff opponent and examine the odds of an Eagles win.
Buccaneers
For what it’s worth, I think this is a very winnable matchup. The Eagles somehow open at +7 which is way too much wriggle room for a team who were able to keep up with the Brady Bunch earlier in the season…and that was before their new identity was formed.
The Bucs might still be a dominant team on both sides of the team, but they’ve suffered some cluster injuries, had some noise to drown out off the field, and will be limping into this matchup, unlike the Eagles who have no weight of expectation on their shoulders here.
Can the Eagles win? Yes.
Packers
The 13-4 Green Bay Packers won’t exactly be easy to get past and it would take an almighty effort on both sides of the ball. You could make the argument that the Packers are the most dangerous team in the entire postseason.
They have Aaron Rodgers under center and while his views on vaccines may be questionable, his play has been nothing short of incredible once again. It sucks that the Eagles have to get past the Packers if they are to win the Super Bowl, but is it impossible?
The Packers are giving up 4.7 yards per carry. In each of their 4 losses, they’ve allowed at least 77 yards and are yet to face a quarterback with the rushing ability of Jalen Hurts. If the Eagles can play keepaway and really hammer the ball down the field, then maybe…just maybe there’s a chance.
Can the Eagles win? Probably not…but there is a chance.
Cowboys
The Cowboys may be 2-0 against the Eagles this season, but the week 18 game was hardly a credible victory. I’d like to think that with Jalen Hurts and a full stable of backs at their disposal, the Eagles offense could hang with the Cowboys. Just look at how good that backup offensive line was against the starting Dallas pass rush.
The big issue would be slowing down Dak Prescott, who has been firing on all cylinders again this year and has a very strong arsenal of offensive weapons to work with. We know that Gannon’s defense has struggled against strong QB’s this season, mounting the pressure on Hurts and the offense.
Can the Eagles win? Less than a 50% chance, but never say never.
Cardinals
This would probably be the most exciting matchup to watch. Kyler Murray is a menace, James Conner and Chase Edmonds make one hell of a running back tandem and even though D-Hop might miss the playoffs, Christian Kirk is Texas A&M’s finest and their passing offense has the highest completion percentage of any in the NFL.
On defense, J.J Watt exists, former Eagles LB Jordan Hicks has matured into a dominant three-down linebacker, and the unit as a whole has been very productive around the ball.
The big wildcard for the Eagles would be time of possession. The Cards rank 6th in that metric and if the Eagles are unable to stop that offense from churning up yardage, then it’s going to force Jalen Hurts to throw from behind. It’s do or die in that scenario, as the passing ability of Hurts would be leaned on more than ever.
Can the Eagles win? It’s unlikely, but if the defense can hold the fort long enough for Hurts and the offense to do their thing and keep up, then who knows?
Rams
Sean McVay’s offensive machine would likely prove to be a nightmare situation for a defense that has struggled to contain competent quarterbacks this year. While turnovers have spiked this season under Gannon, the Eagles would likely be banking on them to keep the game alive.
The Rams’ secondary would be a very intimidating matchup for Jalen Hurts, who has been known to misfire at times. If he’s forced to throw from behind, the Rams might be one of the few teams to really punish him if the ground game is unable to generate its usual momentum.
Can the Eagles win? The odds would be heavily stacked against them.
AFC
Bengals
Joe Burrow is definitely a candidate for comeback player of the year, but the Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1991. I wasn’t even born then.
This is a new era though and that receiving corps is genuinely terrifying and one of the best in football. This would be a winnable matchup providing the Eagles can bring the pressure early and often, but that would mean hoping Jonathan Gannon actually blitzes…
Can the Eagles win? As Joe Burrow’s #1 lookalike, It would be a conflict of interest, so no.
Raiders
The Raiders somehow made it to the postseason despite an awful mid season slump. They crossed the line in controversial fashion, but the fact is, they’re here and need to be acknowledged.
Derek Carr is a solid quarterback, but you can make the case that if Josh Jacobs can be contained, the Raiders are pretty average in most areas. Besides, the Eagles need to avenge what happened when they met earlier in the year.
Can the Eagles win? Yes.
Bills
The only way the Eagles could get past the bills is if Josh Allen lays an egg. It’s been known to happen, but will it? Probably not. That offense is way too explosive and it would be asking a lot for this young Eagles team to keep stride for stride.
Can the Eagles win? I wouldn’t bet on it. Actually, I would.
Patriots
Mac Jones is a good quarterback. The offense is averaging 27 points per game and 126 rushing yards. On defense, the Pats have been just as impressive and lead the league in opponent interception percentage, with 4.28% of throws being picked.
Something tells me this Patriots team is just too complete. The Eagles aren’t quite there…yet
Can the Eagles win? Eeeeeh probably not
Steelers
Big Ben somehow made the playoffs because of last night’s chaos?
Lol.
Can the Eagles win? Yes.
Chiefs
This would be a ridiculously tough test for Jonathan Gannon’s defense…but the Chiefs are still atrocious when it comes to stopping the run. The Eagles are a different team to the one that lost 42-30 earlier in the year, and even then, they still put up 30 points.
30 won’t be enough to win…but would an increased emphasis on running the ball change that? Definitely.
Can the Eagles win? Yes.
Titans
I would love to see this matchup as it’s a coin flip in every sense of the word. Ryan Tannehill is hardly the most credible QB in the postseason, but Derrick Henry is not a man to be messed with if he returns for the playoffs. It would be two rushing juggernauts slashing at one another in a game of ‘who can be the biggest bully in the yard?’
Can the Eagles win? Yes.
Photo by Kyle Ross/Icon Sportswire
