NFL Playoff Scenarios: What Each Team Needs To Get To The Postseason
By Keith Myers
NFC East
| NFC East Team | W | L | Remaining Opp. |
| Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 4 | Ind, Was |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 9 | 5 | Was, NYG |
This division could easily go either way, even though Dallas currently has a full game lead over the Eagles. Dallas has a tough game against Indianapolis this week, while Philadelphia has a much easier schedule over the last two weeks.
It is important to note that Philadelphia has the tiebreaker over Dallas at both 10 and 11 wins based on conference records. To win the division, Dallas must remain a full game ahead of Philadelphia in the standings.
Two wins, and Dallas wins the division and will get at least the No. 3 seed. If they end up tied with just Seattle at 12-4, Dallas would get the No. 1 seed. If either the Packers or Lions also finish at 12-4, then Dallas would drop to the No. 3 seed because they lose out on the three-way tiebreaker.
If Dallas loses out on the division race, but still gets to 11 wins, Dallas could miss the playoffs entirely but it is very unlikely. For that to happen, Green Bay would need to win the NFC north with 12 wins, and there would need to be a three-way for the wild card spots between Detroit, Dallas and either of Seattle or Arizona.
Dallas can get into the playoffs at 10 wins, but only if Seattle or Green Bay also lose out. If all three happen to lose out, Dallas and Seattle would both make the playoffs based on the conference record tiebreaker.
For the Eagles, winning the division is their easiest path into the playoffs. They lose all possible three-way tiebreakers at both 10 and 11 wins. They also lose in two-way tiebreakers to Seattle, Detroit and Green Bay. For the Eagles to get into the playoffs as a wild card team, they need to win both of their remaining games plus have Seattle and one of Detroit or Green Bay lose both of their remaining games.
Next: NFC North