Eagles Vs. Dolphins: 5 Things To Know

PHILADELPHIA, PA — After several weeks of battling playoff-caliber teams, the Eagles will head to Miami for a must-win game against the 2-9 Dolphins.

Here's a look at what you need to know ahead of Sunday's Week 13 matchup.

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Five out of the past six weeks, the Eagles have played against playoff-caliber teams.

Sunday's game against the Dolphins has the potential, then, to serve as a much needed advantageous matchup for the Birds. The past six weeks have included games against the Vikings, Cowboys, Bills, Patriots, and Seahawks, all of whom would make the playoffs if the season ended today, and most of whom are considered Super Bowl contenders.

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The good news is, the Eagles schedule at least appears easier from here on out, if they are able to take advantage of it. After the Dolphins, there are two more games against the 2-9 Giants and another game with the 2-9 Redskins. And of course there's the most important game of the season against the division leading Cowboys on Dec. 22.

A victory Sunday improves the Eagles playoff chances, but a loss could be a fatal blow to their hopes.

The probabilities on this are backed up the New York Times' interactive analysis of the NFL playoff picture. The model has the Eagles at 38 percent playoff odds if they win, and dropping all the way down to 21 percent if they lose.

That's not to say a loss would completely eliminate them, of course, though it's fair to wonder if they belong in the playoffs if their record includes losses to both the Dolphins and the Falcons (and the Lions).

The linchpin in the season is the Cowboys game on Dec. 22, because a win there, along with wins at least three of the other four remaining games, all but guarantees the Eagles a spot in the postseason.

The Eagles are still suffering from an array of injuries.

It was a factor in a tough loss to the Seahawks last week, and it'll be a factor for the remainder of the season. Key pieces like Jordan Howard, Alshon Jeffery, Lane Johnson, and Nelson Agholor could all be sidelined. Their depth at receiver and in the backfield, specifically, was exposed in Sunday's loss.

The good news: quarterback Carson Wentz, who suffered a bruised hand during Sunday's loss, will be fine for this week's game against the Dolphins.

Speaking of Wentz, he didn't look himself against the Seahawks, and if the Eagles still have designs on any sort of playoff run, they'll need him to show the MVP form of vintage 2017 Wentz.

The Eagles have scored just 9 and 10 points in their last two weeks, respectively. It's only fair to recognize the ridiculous Patriots defense as part of the reason here, but in both of the past two weeks, especially against the Seahawks, the Eagles had their chances.

Though Wentz threw 33 of 45 passes for completions for 256 yards, he also threw two interceptions and fumbled twice, and missed a few key, wide open passes that could've made the difference in a tight contest.

Kickoff time in Miami is at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 1.

The game will be broadcast on Fox. The Eagles are 10 point favorites, according to a consensus of spreads tallied by OddsShark.