Breaking down the Cowboys and Eagles tiebreaker scenarios if both teams win out

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In a stroke of good fortune, the door to claiming the NFC East is wide open following the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

As a result, they and the Dallas Cowboys have identical 10-4 records with three games to go.

Philly has by far the easier schedule down the stretch, with two games against the New York Giants while facing the Arizona Cardinals in between.

Dallas is in the most challenging part of their schedule, taking on the Miami Dolphins this weekend, then the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders.

That surprising loss by the Eagles on Monday night could lead to some very interesting tiebreaking scenarios down the home stretch of the regular season.

Breaking down the tiebreakers

The Cowboys are technically ahead of the Eagles now, thanks to having a superior record against the division.

Both teams have beaten the other once this season, so the head-to-head matchup is dead even.

It seems more plausible that the Eagles will win out down the stretch as opposed to Dallas, but as we know, anything can happen.

Should the Cowboys and Eagles each run the table between now and the end of the regular season, we’d have to dig deep into the tiebreaking scenarios to determine who claims the NFC East.

In that scenario, per Sports Illustrated, both teams would be equal regarding head-to-head record, division record, common-game record and conference record.

That means it’d come down to a fifth tiebreaker, which is the strength of the opponent, and that is still to be determined.

So, let’s explore the quality of each opponent for the Eagles and Cowboys to date and the games remaining for each.

Cowboys and Eagles Strength of Schedule

The Eagles began the 2023 campaign by winning their opening five games while going 10-2 after a dozen contests.

Since a dramatic come-from-behind overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills in late November, though, Philly has lost two of its last three encounters, including a 33-13 defeat at Dallas.

Dallas lost its first game of the season in late September versus the Arizona Cardinals, going 3-2 after their opening five encounters.

Since being blown out by the 49ers on Sunday Night Football (42-10), they won seven of their next eight games, with their only defeat over that stretch coming at Philly (28-23).

They’re coming off a dismal showing in Buffalo last weekend, putting up a mere 10 points in a 31-10 defeat.

In their 14 games this season, only four of Philly’s opponents currently boast a losing record: the Patriots, Jets and Commanders, beating the latter twice.

The Eagles’ remaining three contests are against the Giants (twice) and Cardinals, all of whom are below .500.

As for Dallas’ opponents, the Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, Bills and 49ers are the only teams they’ve played so far who are .500 or better.

Down the stretch, though, two of their remaining three opponents have a winning record, the Dolphins and Lions.

While the Cowboys have looked sharper against weaker teams this season when compared to the Eagles, Philly seemingly has had a tougher all-around schedule.

Therefore, the Cowboys likely still need some help to win the division.