Eagles Secure First Round Bye: Playoff Picture, Potential Schedule

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Playing against a New York Giants team resting most of its stars, the Philadelphia Eagles clinched a first round bye and the top seed in the NFC, placing them just two wins away from returning to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years.

The Eagles won, 22-16, but perhaps just as importantly, the game marked the return of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who was in the running for most valuable player before an injury last month.

The first round bye means that the Eagles will play the lowest seed that moves on in the second round. So that means they could face almost anyone: the Seattle Seahawks or the New York Giants if they win upsets in the opening round, or if they don't, then the winner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Dallas Cowboys game.

So it could still be yet another playoff matchup against Tom Brady, or the Birds could start a new chapter of a long-running divisional rivalry with the Cowboys or Giants. Or get a rematch against Seattle. No matter what, they'll be at home.

Here's the schedule for the rest of the NFC next weekend.

• 2nd seed San Francisco 49ers (13-4) vs. 7th seed Seahawks (9-8)
• 3rd seed Minnesota Vikings (13-4) vs. 6th seed New York Giants (9-7-1)
• 4th seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-9) vs. 5th seed Dallas Cowboys (12-5)

The Eagles will have home field advantage in all of their NFC playoff games. If they defeat the Bucs/Cowboys, they'll host the NFC Championship game in Philadelphia against either the 49ers, Seahawks, Vikings, or Giants.

According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Eagles have the third best Super Bowl odds in the entire NFL and appear favored to win the NFC. Their odds currently sit at plus 500 to win it all, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs (plus 330) and the Buffalo Bills (plus 420).