Now that the playoff picture is clearer with the Bucs victory over the Rams on Monday night, I will try to explain all the Eagle's possible playoff opponents in their first playoff birth since 1996. We all now know that the Birds are also a wild card team and probally host a game on New Year's Eve unless they lose to Cincinnati on Sunday. The tiebreakers in the conference break down as follows again, to repeat for those not totally familar:
1) Head to Head
2) Conference Record
3) Common Opponents Record (min. of 4 games)
4) Net Points in Conference
5) Net Points in All Games

Let us assume that in all these scenarios that the Eagles defeat the Bengals on Christmas Eve. There should not be any other result than a victory for Philadelphia, but that is why we play the games even when for all intent, that the Eagles will come out on top. First, if the Eagles do in fact win, it is certain that our first opponent will come from the NFC Central Division; either Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Bucaneers or the Detroit Lions.

1) If both Tampa and Minnesota win, we will play at Tampa Bay. Not a favorable position for the Birds to open up on the road against a very strong defensive team led by All-Pro Warren Sapp.

2) If Tampa wins and the Vikings lose, then Philly will host the Minnesota. If this should happen, it would mean that Minnesota would be entering the playoffs losing three straight to: the Colts, Packers and Rams. The Vikings are also a domed team who since moving from that old Metropolitan Stadium into the newer Metrodome, have won only once in cold weather, that was in New York in 1997. You remember that game when Randall Cunningham led the Vikes a come from behind 23-22 victory. Of course the Giants were not really good either in 1997. A week later, the Vikings lost to the 49ers who went on to win the last of their 5 Super Bowls. Anyway, this game should favor the Eagles and with the current health of Dante Culpepper is in jeopardy, that could spell diaster if he is not healthy. The Vikings have proved that they are not really a cold weather team, so a win for Philly here could mean a rematch against the Giants.

3) If Tampa loses, but the Lions lose too, then we would host the Bucs. If this is the case, I like our chances even more. Tampa Bay has never won when the temperature is below 40 degrees with now, an all-time record of 0-19 if they lose in Green Bay. The Bucs will come to town and be thinking the hole game, "boy is it cold here in Philly". You gotta like either of the Vikes or Bucs coming to town on New Year's Eve.

4) And last, if the Bucs lose and the Lions win, we would host a Lions team which last time came to the Vet when it was cold and mattered, they got hammered 58-37. Detroit scored 2 late TD's after the game was already decided and many of the Eagle starters were already resting on the bench. The Lions have won only one playoff game in 43 years. In 1992, they crushed the Cowboys 38-6 at the Silverdome. the last time the Lions won when it was cold was way back in 1957, they beat the Browns in the NFL Championship game 59-14. Detroit would be the most favorable opponent, especially since they have not proven that they can win in the cold or even the playoffs at all.

The Rams and Packers are now the teams on the outside. Tampa Bay and the Giants seem to be the drivers seat. But Tampa has to win in Green Bay to maintain thier elite status and they have yet to prove that they could win in cold weather. Well, lets see how the dice roll next week and we go from there. Personally, I would like to see Minnesota come to Philadelphia. But that is my personal opinion.