Eagles playoff chances strengthen with unfortunate Dalvin Cook diagnosis

It’s amazing how one of the world’s most physical sports can take such an amazing toll on the physical frame. Now, fans of the sport of hockey might disagree with this, but the NFL might be the most demanding profession from a physical standpoint. Guys, whether they play for the Philadelphia Eagles or any of the other 31 franchises, put huge physical, mental, and emotional demands on themselves. That’s why they understandably ask for huge deals. One never knows if the next injury can end one’s career.

The doctors that help them get back on the field or play through injury can do their jobs for 20 years or so because they normally don’t have to worry about tearing an ACL, but when a man plays for an NFL team, the stakes are different.

The stars we cheer for punish their own bodies constantly, and now that we have COVID-19 to worry about the stakes are even higher.

The Eagles have no head-to-head matchup with the Vikings scheduled but are watching them closely.

By now, you’ve probably had a dozen or so conversations with your inner circle about Eagles playoff scenarios and what has to happen for the Birds to get in. It can be difficult to keep up with what’s happening, but here’s a quick synopsis of some conversations that have, no doubt, gone on at the NovaCare Complex.

The Eagles have to handle their own business and beat the teams that line up in front of them, but if they’re to make the postseason, they’ll need help. This team needs the San Francisco 49ers and the Minnesota Vikings to lose a few games, especially seeing as how they lost to San Fran in Week 2.

It wouldn’t hurt if either the Los Angeles Rams or Arizona Cardinals went on a losing streak to close the season either, but Philly could benefit from the Niners or Vikes going cold.

All that’s been said to say this. No one wants to see players get injured. This is their livelihood, and from a competitive standpoint, you want to beat teams at full strength so that there aren’t any excuses. Still, Dalvin Cook, thanks to being added to Minnesota’s Reserve/COVID19 list, is more than likely out for the Vikings game versus the Rams in Week 16. That puts his team at a disadvantage.

Again, this in no way, is meant to sound like Eagles fans are ready to take a victory lap because Cook is dealing with the effects of coronavirus. The football world hopes he’s okay, but there’s still a game to be played. Minnesota’s chances of winning that game decrease if Cook can’t go, and in the grand scheme of things that could result in an L.A. victory. That helps Philadelphia tremendously.