Grading Eagles, their NFC East rivals chances as NFL postseason begins

The Eagles get a much-needed week to rest after earning a first-round bye in Week 18.

There is no nice way to say this. The Eagles coaching staff has mismanaged the game plan for two weeks. Some might say that trend goes back to the game in Chicago. They could have helped Gardner Minshew out more with the running game. They could have given Miles Sanders more carries. Instead, they allowed Minshew to get pounded, and they tried to turn him into Jalen Hurts.

The drama was and still is building in Philly and not in a good way. Jalen Hurts helped save the day in Week 18 as he guided the Eagles to a 22-16 victory. That helped the team clinch that all-important number-one seed.

Philadelphia looks to get healthier during their bye week, but who might they face in the Divisional round? The Cowboys, Bucs, Giants, or Seattle Seahawks look like the most likely possibilities. All are interesting matchups. Games versus the Cowboys or Bucs would be true headliners.

The Birds definitely want a redo of their Week 16 loss versus Dallas. This time, Hurts would be in the lineup. The running game should be more potent than last time.

In terms of a possible matchup versus Tampa, it would be nice to avenge last year’s Wild Card Round loss in front of the hometown faithful at Lincoln Financial Field. This isn’t the Eagles team of a year ago. The Birds are no longer the one-dimensional squad that could only win by running

They now have a dynamic passing attack that helps the running attack flourish even more. This team is probably too much for Tampa to overcome. Plus, it would be nice for Philadelphia to beat Tom Brady again and give him a nice parting gift in what might be their final battle with him.

Regardless of who the Eagles face, they’re better at their best than anyone else is. The San Francisco 49ers provide a huge test if it comes to that, but this is the best team in the NFC regardless of what you’ve recently seen.

Hopefully, the rest does them good. A Super Bowl berth is officially within reach.

Grade: A