Philadelphia Eagles: What to watch for this weekend
By Jake Starr

Even though the Philadelphia Eagles may not be playing this weekend, there is still a lot to watch for regarding the Eagles’ playoff position.
With the Philadelphia Eagles sitting at 8-1 and on their bye week, this Sunday will be a great time to just sit back, relax, and enjoy some football without having to worry about the outcome of the Birds’ game. While the normal stresses of a football Sunday won’t be there for Eagles fans, there are still many games this weekend fans should keep an eye on.
Sitting atop the NFC East and NFC as a whole, the Eagles most certainly control their own destiny. If they keep winning then home field advantage will be there for the taking. But with the help of some other teams, especially this weekend, that task can get a whole lot easier.
So when tuning into to football this weekend, or when checking the scores; which games should we be paying attention to, and what outcomes will benefit the Eagles the most?
Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins 1:00
Washington did the Eagles a favor last week when they went into Seattle and upset the Seahawks 14-10. As crazy as it sounds, the Eagles would like for their NFC East rival to once again pull off a win against a top team in the NFC in the Vikings.
Washington is 4-4 and 3 and a half games back of the Eagles, in addition to the Eagles having the season sweep over them. So at this point, for them to win would not be a big deal, and in this particular game, it would benefit the Eagles.
Related Story: Have the Eagles found their thunder and lightning?
Minnesota leads the NFC North at 6-2 and is also right in the thick of things for that number one seed. A loss to Washington would put the Vikings at 6-3 and two whole games back of the Eagles, making it that much harder for them to make up ground for home-field advantage.
New Orleans Saints @ Buffalo Bills 1:00
This is a matchup of two of the surprise teams in the NFL this season. The Saints look to be on pace to make their first playoff appearance since 2013 with a rejuvenated defense. Buffalo was expected to be in a rebuilding year but has thrived under first-year head coach Sean McDermott.
New Orleans is sitting at 6-2 and is one and a half games behind the Eagles for the number one spot in the NFC, so obviously, Eagles fans should be pulling for the Bills here. A Buffalo win will put some space between the Eagles and Saints for home field advantage in the NFC, and let’s face it; no one ever wants to go to New Orleans for a playoff game.
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Rams 4:05
The Rams have proven to be one the more surprising teams in the league this season. After having a very pedestrian offense over the past few years, they have completely flipped the script averaging over 30 points per game. This is a Rams offense that is close to the level as “The Greatest Show on Turf.”
Houston going into Los Angeles and pulling out a win is going to be a tough chore, especially without Deshaun Watson. If the Texans can somehow go into Coliseum and pull off a massive upset then that would be a big plus for the Eagles. It is highly unlikely to happen, but anything can happen on any given Sunday.
Related Story: Should the Eagles move Lane Johnson to left tackle after the bye?
Los Angeles is in first place in the NFC West and is another challenger for that number one seed. A loss for them would be devastating, but regardless of what happens, that December 10th Eagles-Rams matchup will prove to be a big one.
Dallas Cowboys @ Atlanta Falcons 4:25
This game will without a doubt be the game that all Eagles fans will be watching. The Cowboys are now without Ezekiel Elliott for the next six games (at least we think so) and that should hurt them.
Injunction denied: Ezekiel Elliott’s 6-game suspension is back on.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 9, 2017
If Atlanta is able to put it together and take advantage of the Elliot-less Cowboys, then that will be huge for the Eagles. A Dallas loss will put the Cowboys 3 games back of the Eagles in the NFC East, making it that the Eagles could solidify their division chances in their November 19th matchup.
We will obviously see if the Elliot suspension will hold this time, and if it does, then that will be a huge dagger in the Cowboys playoff hopes. So on Sunday, Eagles fans can sit back, relax and pull for a big Atlanta victory.
Miami Dolphins @ Carolina Panthers MNF 8:30
Of the games highlighted, this one is the least significant. The Eagles already have a win over the Panthers, so whatever they do won’t be too significant in regards to the Eagles.
Carolina currently sits at 6-3 and the 5th spot in the NFC. An upset loss to Miami would be devastating to their playoff aspirations as they are already in a tight race for the NFC South crown.
While there is still a slim chance that the Panthers can put up a fight for the one seed, this is still a game Eagles fans should pay attention to as a Carolina loss will take at least one team out of contention for home-field advantage.
Next: Philadelphia Eagles: Timmy Jernigan deserves his new deal
To all Eagles fans out there, enjoy your football weekend as once the birds come back from the bye the going will get tough as they pursue a division crown. Most importantly go Falcons this weekend and Fly Eagles Fly.