The Philadelphia Eagles' primary goal in Week 15 was to snap their three-game losing streak before worrying about the playoffs.
Philly got the job done massively as they pitched a 31-0 shutout against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Eagles allowed less than 100 yards of offense from the Raiders, and quarterback Jalen Hurts rebounded with three incompletions and three touchdowns in the win.
That win was important for the mere fact that the Eagles needed momentum for the rest of the season. How did it affect them for the NFC playoffs, though?
Week 15 updated NFC playoff picture for the Eagles
The Eagles got very little help, but for the most part, it did not go their way if they wanted any hope of winning the NFC's number one seed. That's because the Los Angeles Rams beat the Detroit Lions, the Chicago Bears dominated the Cleveland Browns, the San Francisco 49ers took care of the Tennessee Titans, and the Seattle Seahawks got a late field goal to survive against Phillip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts.
Detroit's loss and the Green Bay Packers ' loss to the Denver Broncos were about the only things that went right for the Eagles. Besides that, it has put the number one seed in a more unrealistic scenario for the Birds.
Here's a look at the NFC playoff picture if it started after Week 15 action:
1. Los Angeles Rams (11-3)
2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Seattle Seahawks (11-3)
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
As for the NFC East race, that one went much better for the Eagles, as the Dallas Cowboys did what they do best and lost in December, falling at home to the 5-8 Minnesota Vikings 34-26. That loss now means the Eagles need to win one more game the rest of the season, or the Cowboys to lose one more game the rest of the year, to win the division.
That would make history as the Eagles could become the first division winner from the NFC East to win back-to-back seasons in 20 years. Eagles fans should focus on getting that first before even considering the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Read more: Jalen Hurts sent brutal reminder to NFL on who he is after Eagles win vs. Raiders
Overall, the weekend didn't really move the needle for the Eagles in the playoff hunt, but it at least helped them move one step closer to recapturing the NFC East title, which is the most important thing right now.