9. Philadelphia Eagles
9-7 (NFC East champions)
No. 4 Seed in NFC
Overview: For the second straight year, Doug Pederson’s club finished 9-7. But unlike both 2017 and ‘18, the season concluded with quarterback Carson Wentz at the helm. He had his ups and downs with turnovers but came up big during the team’s four-game winning streak to close the year. A lot of the offensive issue had to do with a rash of injuries, most notably the wide receiving corps. But reminiscent of 2018, Pederson’s club played its best football late and it resulted in a second NFC East title in three years. Jim Schwartz’s defensive unit finished 10th in the NFL in yards allowed, including third vs. the run.
Postseason History: The Eagles are in the playoffs for the third straight year. It’s the team’s longest such stretch since the early days of the Andy Reid Era, when the club made five consecutive appearances from 2000-04. Pederson has led the club to four playoff wins in five tries, including a victory in Super Bowl LII.
This Week’s Opponent: It’s the second meeting of the season with the Seattle Seahawks, who came to Philadelphia in Week 12 and handed the Birds a 17-9 setback. It’s the first postseason encounter between the franchises. All told, the Eagles have dropped five consecutive games in this series dating back to 2011.
Next: No. 8