The Division of Mediocrity

Now that my fantasy season has come to a close with a resounding "thud," I've started to pay more attention to real football.  And I discovered something very interesting this morning while listening to Mike and Mike on ESPN radio.

The discussion was how far the Philadelphia Eagles could go if they would get into the playoffs.

And my inner Jim Mora took over.... Playoffs?!

I thought the Eagles were dead.  There are just two weeks left in the regular season, and the Falcons and Lions have both won nine games and the Eagles have won just six.  The most the Eagles could possibly win is eight games.

Since neither the Falcons nor Lions can "unwin" a game, how could the Eagles get into the playoffs except by winning their division?  Impossible.

Or is it?

Then I started looking at the NFC East.  What a mess.

As it turns out, it is still possible for the Eagles to win their division, even though they are 6-8 overall with a division record of 4-6.  (Last season the NFC West was crowned the division of mediocrity.  I think the NFC East has earned that distinction this year - although the AFC West is giving them some competition).

Here's how it has to play out:

The Eagles must defeat the Cowboys this week and the Redskins week 17.

The Giants must lose the the Jets this week and beat the Cowboys week 17.

The Cowboys, obviously, must lose their last two games.

If the Eagles win the division, y'all are gonna see one pissed off billionaire... Dagnabbit!

If these scenarios play out in that order, the Eagles and Cowboys will have tied records and the Eagles would win the tie-breaker because they swept the Cowboys in head-to-head games.

Suddenly, Jason Garrett's gaffe by icing his own kicker in what would have been the winning field goal against the Giants looms eerily large.  (Dagnabbit!)

Or the Cowboys week 13 loss to the Cardinals in overtime is huge.  (Dagnabbit!)

And remember the Cowboys' week 4 meltdown and subsequent loss to the Lions after a commanding 27-3 lead in the third quarter?  (Dagnabbit!)

Wow.... just goes to show that there's no room for mistakes during an NFL season.  Anything can (and will!) come back and bite you in the bottom.

Dagnabbit!