Philadelphia Eagles Still Control NFC Playoff Picture Despite Ugly Loss to San Francisco 49ers

Even after being throttled by the San Francisco 49ers, the Philadelphia Eagles still control their own destiny in the NFC playoff picture.

Around this time of year on the NFL calendar, the phrase "control their own destiny" becomes nauseating with how overused it is. But for lack of a better way to put it, the Philadelphia Eagles -- despite an ugly Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field -- still do control their own destiny. 

Make no mistake, Sunday's 42-19 loss to the 49ers is alarming on many levels for the Eagles, as coach Kyle Shanahan's offense gashed Sean Desai's defense. Receiver Deebo Samuel combined for three touchdowns. He may not even be the best pass catcher on the 49ers, who also employ Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle. Running back Christian McCaffrey looked the part of a legitimate MVP candidate, although quarterback Brock Purdy might also deserve to be mentioned in that wide-open conversation as well. And above all else, the 49ers now own the tiebreaker over the Eagles if the two teams finish with the same record.

With all that acknowledged, the 49ers are 9-3 after the win, as opposed to 10-2 for the Eagles. So right now, the tiebreaker doesn't come into play, because the Eagles still have the better record.

Deebo Samuel and the San Francisco 49ers crushed the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 13.  :: Eric Hartline/USA Today

The loss to the 49ers unquestionably increases the importance of next week's Sunday Night Football tilt with the Dallas Cowboys. Had the Eagles won against the 49ers, it would have been nice to sweep the Cowboys. Now that the Eagles lost to the 49ers, they probably need to sweep the Cowboys to win the NFC East, and keep themselves in control of the top playoff spot in the NFC, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. 

While quarterback Jalen Hurts returned after being examined for a concussion in the second half of Sunday's loss, his left knee injury has clearly limited his explosiveness as a rusher. Having a week off to open the playoffs would certainly be beneficial for the Eagles. Of course, so would having home-field advantage, and making sure a team like the Cowboys -- who seem to perform better in their stadium than on the road -- don't. 

Probably regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, the 49ers are going to be favored against the Eagles if (when?) the two teams meet again in the postseason. Heck, the Eagles were already rare home underdogs Sunday. Certainly, any oddsmakers who were questioned this week probably feel vindicated by Sunday evening's outcome.

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There's no other way to put it: the 49ers play a smash-mouth brand of football that's allowed them to throttle both the Eagles and Cowboys already this season, and may power them to Super Bowl LVIII. Clearly, they should now be installed as the favorites to win it all.

However, the physical style that the 49ers play also exposes them to injuries. McCaffrey, Samuel and Kittle all have injury histories, and there's no guarantee that San Francisco will be as healthy in late January as they are in early December. 

Even if they are, coming in to Lincoln Financial Field twice in one season and emerging victorious is a tall task. And the Eagles will go to bed Sunday evening still in control of the NFC's No. 1 seed, and can force the 49ers -- and any other contenders in the conference -- to have to come to Philadelphia and knock them out in the postseason.