Here’s How Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles Can Clinch a Playoff Spot in Week 17
What a season it has been for the Philadelphia Eagles. From Jalen Hurts’ struggles to Gardner Minshew filling in nicely to Nick Sirianni looking like he was about to be on the hot seat, the Eagles’ season has been a roller coaster.
Yet, somehow, the Eagles can clinch a playoff spot in Week 17 if a couple of things go their way. Yes, it is complex, but it can happen.
Here’s how.
The Eagles first need to take care of business against the Washington Football Team in Week 17
For the second time in three games, the Eagles will face Washington.
This time around, Washington’s playoff hopes are done while Philadelphia is trying to sneak into the NFC Wild Card spot.
In Week 15, Hurts led the Eagles to a 27-17 victory over Washington. He scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground and threw for another score. Sanders went off with 131 yards on 18 carries and Jordan Howard rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries as the Eagles’ potent rushing attack held its own once again.
However, Garrett Gilbert started for Washington on the strange Tuesday night game that was rescheduled due to COVID-19 issues. But, Antonio Gibson landed on the COVID-19 list for Washington on Friday, making this game much easier for Philadelphia.
This time will be much different, but if the Eagles want to clinch a playoff spot in Week 17, they first need to beat Washington for the second time in three weeks.
The Eagles playoff scenario is extremely complicated but somewhat realistic
That’s just so complicated.
First things first, the Eagles need to win — or tie.
After that, they need some things to fall into place. The Minnesota Vikings need to lose to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday evening, which is more realistic after the latest injury update to Adam Thielen. Kirk Cousins landed on the COVID-19 list and is out for Sunday.
Besides that, there are other scenarios.
The Atlanta Falcons losing to the Buffalo Bills would help and is likely, especially after Josh Allen’s team defeated the New England Patriots in Week 16. The New Orleans Saints losing to the Carolina Panthers would help, although Matt Rhule’s team has been a trainwreck lately.
Lastly, a San Francisco 49ers victory or tie against the Houston Texans would benefit the Eagles, although that’s the most unrealistic of all the above scenarios.
As stated above, it isn’t very easy, but there is a path.
The Eagles finding a way into the playoffs might be enough to keep Jalen Hurts as the QB in 2022
Is Hurts the quarterback of the future in Philadelphia?
At times, he hasn’t looked great. But, other times, he has looked phenomenal.
On the year, the Eagles dual-threat QB has thrown for 2,930 yards with 16 touchdowns and added another 10 scores on the ground.
Hurts was also named an alternate for the NFC Pro Bowl team, and a playoff berth might be enough to keep Hurts as the starter heading into the 2022 season.
It seems that Sirianni and Hurts are finally starting to click, and adding some more weapons in free agency will only help this group.
Despite a 2-5 start to the season, the Eagles have gone 6-2 to become one of the more exciting teams in the playoff hunt, so there’s hope in the city of Brotherly Love.
Stats Courtesy of Pro Football Reference
