Sometimes rooting for division opponents to win is a necessary evil. For the 8-0 Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday’s slate of games brings forth an interesting conundrum.
While the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants both have bye weeks this week, there are still plenty of games that affect the Eagles within their division and in the playoff race that is getting closer and closer.
For fans that are confused about who to root for, don’t fret, we have you covered here.
Washington Commanders vs. Minnesota Vikings
Root For: Washington
People may be surprised by this with Washington at .500, but the Commanders aren’t a threat to the division at this point. Minnesota, on the other hand, is 6-1 and has kept finding ways to win one-score games.
If Washington pulls off the upset on Sunday, the Eagles would have a two-and-a-half-game lead over the Vikings for the top seed in the NFC playoffs. It’s extremely significant when the Eagles’ hardest part of the schedule comes up against Green Bay, Tennessee, and New York.
Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
Root For: Detroit
Is it likely that Aaron Rodgers and his team fall to 3-6 on the season against a bad Lions team? No. Still, the way Green Bay has struggled to move the football is something to keep an eye on for seeding, and playoff purposes.
If Green Bay makes the playoffs, they would be a team no one would want to face with a Hall-of-Fame quarterback and a good coach. Therefore, Eagle fans should be rooting for the Packers to lose as much as possible to hurt their playoff chances.
LA Rams vs. Tampa Bay Bucs
Root for: LA
Who would you fear more in a playoff game: Matthew Stafford or Tom Brady? It’s not close, right? Brady and the Bucs have been bad this season but they are just a game out of their division lead. No playoff game would be safe with the 40+-year-old.
It’s a similar reasoning to rooting against Green Bay. If the Rams win, Tampa falls to 3-6 which hurts their chances even more so of getting a spot in the playoffs. A win puts them in the driver’s seat. I’d rather have the Eagles face a heavily flawed Rams squad than Tom Brady.
Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints
Root for: Baltimore
Duh. Philadelphia owns the Saints’ first-round pick that is currently scheduled to go in the top 10. Another loss to a good Ravens team could put that pick inside the top 5 again and potentially get a franchise-altering player on an undefeated team.
Whether it’s Will Anderson or any top defensive linemen, the Eagles love where the future is scheduled to be. Another Saints loss would certainly help.
AP Photo/Alex Brandon
