Here are the random thoughts of an Eagles fan that unfortunately needs a Cowboys win

I'm going to be completely honest with you. I had no concept of hate before discovering the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants. They are why I understand the concept. They're my example. They're hate's demonstration. I gain as much joy from watching them lose as I get from seeing a Philadelphia Eagles win.

Saturday night in Week 17 is a little different though. I can't believe I'm saying this. I need the Dallas Cowboys to win. Yuck... I can't believe I just said that. But, as gut-wrenching as it is to utter the words, they are true. Dallas needs to beat the Detroit Lions.

The Dallas Cowboys would do the Eagles a huge favor by toppling the Detroit Lions on Saturday night.

Under any normal circumstance, I would be able to tell you with blatant honesty that I'd rather drink battery acid than wish any good will towards the Dallas Cowboys or their disgusting fan base. I'd rather cut off one of my own fingers. I'd rather play in traffic at night with dark clothing on. That's how deep the hatred runs, but it's Week 17. They're playing the Detroit Lions, and here's the scenario. Dallas winning helps Philly.

If the Birds are to win the NFC East, they need only take care of their own business and win their last two games. If they do that, it won't matter what the Cowboys do. Philly will win the NFC East's crown.

Here's where things get tricky though.

The Eagles, the Lions, and the San Francisco 49ers all own 11-4 records with two games remaining at the time of this story being published. Philly needs the 49ers to lose once more to have any shot at winning the NFC's top postseason seed.

The Lions are currently the owners of the NFC's second seed, so if Dallas were to win, that would give Philly hope of taking said second seed for themselves. Therein lies the dilemma.

How can any self-respecting Eagles fan state they're hoping the Cowboys win? That would be treason... Treason we say! This is truly as sad as it gets.

If only the Birds had beaten the New York Jets. If only they'd held that lead over the Seattle Seahawks. Each team's ultimate goal is to put themselves into position to win a Super Bowl. If that means the so-called 'America's Team' gets to celebrate for a day by winning and that win aids the Eagles so be it.

Okay.. That's it! I'm done! I WILL NOT dedicate one more sentence to this conversation.

Read more from Inside The Iggles