NFL playoff picture: How the Eagles can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

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NFL playoff picture: How the Eagles can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

Eagles. We break down how they can clinch a spot in the 2026 NFL Playoffs in Week 16.

by Mark SchofieldUpdated Dec 21, 2025, 12:59 AM UTC

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Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesMark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.

Saturday result: The Philadelphia Eagles have punched their ticket to the 2026 NFL Playoffs. They beat the Washington Commanders 29-18 to clinch the NFC East title. The Eagles are the first team in 21 years to win the division in consecutive years. They were the last to do it, winning the division from 2001 to 2004. They currently hold the No. 3 seed and will remain in that spot after Week 16 because they were two games up on the NFC South leading Buccaneers and will remain behind either the Bears or Packers pending Saturday’s outcome.

It has been a … tumultuous season for the Philadelphia Eagles.

But one that can see the Eagles clinch a playoff spot here in Week 16.

At varying times Philadelphia has looked like the team to beat in the NFC. At other times, it has looked like the wheels were going to come completely off, as it did during their recent three-game losing streak.

Still, the Eagles can clinch a playoff spot — and the NFC East — this weekend. Here is how.

Philadelphia Eagles playoff berth clinching scenarios

The Eagles control their own destiny here in Week 16.

With a win over the Washington Commanders on Saturday night, the Eagles clinch the NFC East title ahead of the Dallas Cowboys, booking a spot in the playoffs. The result of Sunday’s game between the Cowboys and the Los Angeles Chargers will not matter in that scenario.

However, the Eagles can still clinch the division (and a playoff spot) if they do not win Saturday. With a tie against the Commanders, Philadelphia gets into the playoffs if the Cowboys tie the Chargers.

Also, Philadelphia can back into the playoffs. If they lose to Washington, they still clinch the division and a playoff spot if the Chargers beat the Cowboys on Sunday.

NFC standings entering Week 16

Here are the full NFC standings heading into Week 16, including Seattle’s thrilling win over Los Angeles on Thursday Night Football:

1. Seattle Seahawks (12-3) - x
2. Chicago Bears (10-4)
3. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
5. Los Angeles Rams (11-4) - x
6. San Francisco 49ers (10-4)
7. Green Bay Packers (9-4-1)
8. Detroit Lions (8-6)
9. Carolina Panthers (7-7)
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
11. Minnesota Vikings (6-8) - e
12. Atlanta Falcons (5-9) - e
13. New Orleans Saints (4-10) - e
14. Washington Commanders (4-10) - e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-11) - e
16. New York Giants (2-12) - e

x - Team has clinched a playoff spote - Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC East standings entering Week 16

Here are the NFC East standings entering Week 16:

1. Philadelphia Eagles (9-5)
2. Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1)
3. Washington Commanders (4-10) - e
4. New York Giants (2-12) - e

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