With Cowboys Win, Eagles Have Nothing to Gain Against Bears

Dec 22, 2013; Landover, MD, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (9) throws a touchdown pass as Washington Redskins defensive end Chris Baker (92) defends in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Eagles have nothing to gain except possible playoff seeding when they host the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football after a hobbled Tony Romo led the Dallas Cowboys to a fourth quarter comeback over the Washington Redskins.  The Cowboys trailed the Redskins by 9 points in the fourth quarter and Romo was gimpy with some sort of a leg injury, but he rallied the Cowboys on a fourth and goal from the 10 yard line to hook up with DeMarco Murray for the go-ahead touchdown.

With the win, the Cowboys moved to 8-7 so the 8-6 Eagles cannot clinch the NFC East and have nothing to gain or lose against the Bears.  At most, the winner of Sunday night’s game would have the #3 seed in the NFC playoffs.

The Bears, on the other hand, won’t know what’s at stake for them until shortly before kickoff of their SNF game.  The Detroit Lions host the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the late afternoon games.  If the Lions and Packers lose, the Bears could clinch the NFC North with a win against the Eagles.  If the Lions lose and the Packers win, the Bears, like the Eagles, will have the division at stake in Week 17 with a matchup against the Packers.  If the Lions win, the Bears must win to maintain control of their playoff fate.