PHILADELPHIA _ The regular season comes to an end for the fabulous NFC East on Sunday, and, barring ties, the four teams will combine for 24 wins and 40 losses this season. The Eagles still have the opportunity to emerge as division champion with a modest 9-7 record by beating the New York Giants on the road, but winning the bragging rights for this division, although better than the alternative, isn't much to brag about.
While the honor is backhanded, there is some good news that comes with it. Recent NFL history tells us that the postseason team that comes out of a truly dreadful division is destined to win at least one playoff game before departing the scene. The Eagles, who will have required four straight wins to clinch first prize at this Ugly Sweater party, might not say so out loud, but they would sign on the dotted line for that deal.
In its wisdom, the NFL gives every division champion, no matter how humble, a home game in the postseason, and that is an obvious advantage that even a superior wild-card team can't consistently overcome. The Eagles would get the same bonus, either against Seattle or San Francisco if they get past the Giants (or, failing that, if the Cowboys lose at home to the Redskins).
After losing on Dec. 1 to the Dolphins, currently 4-11, the Eagles hoped to be in the position they are now, but that seemed a faint hope. If they can finish their run by beating the Giants and then enjoy a feel-good win at home in the postseason, that might just add up to a successful season. In any case, they could sell it that way.
Whether they are completing a regular season in the worst division in recent NFL history is also worthy of debate. The NFL added Houston as its most recent expansion team for the 2002 season and the league realigned from three divisions in each conference to the current four divisions.
Since then, only a small handful of divisions combined for as few wins as the NFC East will compile this season. Do the 2019 Eagles, Cowboys, Giants, and Redskins constitute the worst division ever? They are certainly in the conversation. But as we await the last twist of the tale, let's take a look at the other divisions with a seat at the table.
