How a Statement Shutout of the Raiders Opened a Fast Track for the Eagles to Clinch a Playoff Spot as Early as Week 16.QQ
How the Eagles Can Clinch a Playoff Spot as Early as Week 16 After a 31–0 Raiders Shutout
Philadelphia’s get-right win at Lincoln Financial Field did more than snap momentum back into place — it put the Eagles one step from officially punching their 2025 playoff ticket.
In Week 15, the Eagles demolished the Las Vegas Raiders 31–0 at home, ending a three-game losing streak in the loudest way possible. Jalen Hurts threw three touchdown passes, Saquon Barkley added a short touchdown run, and the defense delivered a complete shutout that restored the team’s swagger on both sides of the ball.
That result left Philadelphia at 9–5, leading the NFC East and sitting as the No. 3 seed in the NFC — the kind of position that sets up a potential home playoff game if they finish the job.
The simplest clinch path: Win in Week 16
The Eagles travel to face the Washington Commanders in Week 16. A win in Washington clinches the NFC East outright, and with it, a guaranteed playoff berth.
If the Eagles don’t win: scoreboard help still can do it
If Philadelphia doesn’t take care of business themselves, they can still clinch the division with help. A Cowboys loss to the Los Angeles Chargers would also seal the NFC East for the Eagles.
There’s also a tie wrinkle: an Eagles tie combined with a Cowboys loss or tie can be enough to clinch as well, depending on how the remaining tiebreak math shakes out.
Where Dallas stands — and why it matters
Dallas is still alive in the race, but they’re chasing from behind at 6–7–1. That gap is why Philadelphia’s path is so clean: win once, or have Dallas stumble, and the division can be wrapped up immediately.
What’s left after Week 16
After Washington, the Eagles finish the regular season with Week 17 at Buffalo and then a Week 18 home finale against Washington. If they handle business, the Eagles won’t just be in the playoffs — they’ll enter January with momentum, a confident quarterback, a punishing run game, and a defense that just reminded the league how suffocating it can be.
The No. 1 seed remains a long shot, but Week 16 is simple: win in Washington to clinch the NFC East — then use the final two games to sharpen form and fight for the best possible seed.
