How the Eagles failed to clinch the NFC East in Week 16

The Eagles are in the playoffs, but Sunday’s loss to the Commanders denied them a chance to win the NFC East

Game update: With Sunday’s last-second 36-33 loss to the Washington Commanders, the Philadelphia Eagles could not clinch the NFC East, and will need to wait until Week 17 for another chance to capture a division title. Philadelphia hosts the Dallas Cowboys next week.

They will also wait for word on the health of quarterback Jalen Hurts, who left Sunday’s game with a concussion.

Sunday afternoon two proud NFC East rivals square off when the Washington Commanders host the Philadelphia Eagles in the early slate.

For both teams, more than pride is on the line. Both the Commanders and the Eagles have some playoff clinching scenarios on the table this weekend at Northwest Stadium.

Philadelphia has already clinched a spot in the postseason, thanks to their 12-2 record. But this weekend the Eagles can lock up the NFC East title, which would continue one of the more intriguing streaks in the league. The division has not seen a repeat winner since 2004, when the Eagles captured their third straight division title.

While the Dallas Cowboys are fighting for their playoff lives, it is very likely that the streak continues. But the Eagles can make it official on Sunday.

Eagles NFC East clinching scenarios

Simply put, with a win or a tie against the Commanders, the Eagles are NFC East Champions.

A win by the Commanders would keep Washington alive in the title race for at least one more week.

With respect to the first-overall seed in the NFC, the Eagles are tied with the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions at 12-2. None of those three teams can clinch the top spot in the conference in Week 16.

NFC standings entering Week 16

Here are the NFC standings heading into Week 16.

1. x-Detroit Lions (12-2, win over MIN, 8-1 NFC)
2. x-Philadelphia Eagles (12-2, 7-2 NFC)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6, 6-3 NFC)
4. Los Angeles Rams (8-6, win over SEA, 5-5 NFC)

5. x-Minnesota Vikings (12-2, loss to DET)
6. Green Bay Packers (10-4)
7. Washington Commanders (9-5)

8. Seattle Seahawks (8-6)
9. Atlanta Falcons (7-7, 6-3 NFC)
10. Arizona Cardinals (7-7, 3-6 NFC)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-8, win over DAL)
12. Dallas Cowboys (6-8, loss to SF)*
13. New Orleans Saints (5-9)
14. Chicago Bears (4-10) — eliminated
15. Carolina Panthers (3-11) — eliminated
16. New York Giants (2-12) — eliminated

Teams with an asterisk (*) have been eliminated from divisional contention
Teams with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Teams with a (y) have clinched their division