Even though I am sure the Eagles were quite happy that every team in the NFC East lost this past Sunday while they were enjoying a pleasant bye week, this week’s results actually did not help them as much as one might think.
Right now, the Eagles have the best record in the NFC and, for that matter, all of football. But, that honor is a precarious one. The Vikings, the Saints, and the Rams all won their games this past Sunday and they are all 7-2 and certainly ready to become the team with the best record in the NFC should the Eagles falter.
If you are so inclined to use analytics, a crystal ball, or tarot cards, take a look at the remaining schedule for the Eagles and the teams chasing them:
- Vikings (2 game lead in division) – Rams, Lions, Falcons, Panthers, Bengals, Packers, and Bears
- LA Rams (1 game lead in division) – Vikings, Saints, Cardinals, Eagles, Seahawks, Titans, and 49’ers
- Saints (1 game lead in division) – Redskins, Rams, Panthers, Falcons, Jets, Falcons, and Bucs
- Eagles (3 game lead in division) – Cowboys, Bears, Seahawks, Giants, Raiders, and Cowboys
The Eagles will certainly win their division – their toughest opponent may be the Seahawks. They will not encounter a suspended Ezekial Elliott the first time around against Dallas and may miss facing left offensive tackle Tyrone Smith for both games with the Cowboys.
The Vikings look like the most likely team to surpass the Eagles for the home field advantage based on remaining schedules.
There are, also, teams lingering: Dallas (5-4), Atlanta (5-4), Detroit (5-4), Carolina (6-3), and Seattle (6-3). Remember there are four division winners and two wild card teams in the playoffs.
The final six weeks should be very interesting and Eagles fans should be excited! They could not be in a better position at this stage in the season.
ABOVE THE EARS (SOME MUSINGS)
- Did you see where Colin Kaepernick was named “Citizen of the Year” by GQ magazine? In the article entitled “Colin Kaepernick Will Not Be Silenced”, he is not quoted once.
- In case you were wondering, the win Sunday by the Patriots was the 270th for Bill Belichick. He is now tied for third place with the Cowboys’ Tom Landry. Do you know who #1 and #2 are? The answer is at the end of the musings.
- According to the ESPN Power Rankings, the 76ers are now #11 up from #17 last week. This could be the year that proves the last five awful years were worth the pain!
- Well, Notre Dame and Penn State fans in the Valley (and there are plenty of them) have been in tears the last few weeks. Penn State lost two in a row before this weekend and Notre Dame was routed by Miami on Saturday after climbing into the Top Four. Notre Dame is now #9 and Penn State is #13. Maybe they could play each other in a bowl game. It would not be for a national championship, but the stadium and television interest would be off the charts!
- Parkland will try to win their sixth straight District XI AAAAAA championship this Friday when they take on Freedom. The game will be LIVE on RCN-TV at 7:00 from Northampton.
- On Saturday RCN-TV will have the 153rd addition of Lafayette–Lehigh, college football’s most played rivalry. Game time is 12:30.
P.S. #1 – Don Shula (347); #2 – George Halas (324)
Gary’s Guesses: NFL Picks – (LAST WEEK – 9-5; OVERALL – 91-54 – 63%)
Week Eleven
DETROIT
TAMPA BAY
GREEN BAY
RAMS
ARIZONA
JACKSONVILLE
NEW ORLEANS
CHARGERS
CINCINNATI
NEW ENGLAND
PHILADELPHIA
ATLANTA
