The conventional wisdom always sounds simple enough. Win your division, and earn the tougher schedule. Finish behind the champ, and enjoy the softer path. That logic usually tracks. Usually… But after a closer look at the 2026 schedules belonging to the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, something mildly amusing begins to emerge.
Winning the NFC East may have actually worked in Philadelphia’s favor. Before anyone starts throwing challenge flags, yes, caution is required here. This is the NFL. There are no automatic wins and no ‘easy Sundays.’ Teams projected to struggle in May have a funny habit of ruining bold predictions by October.
Still, another Eagles schedule has birthed conversation. Comparison invites conversation. By virtue of winning the division, Philadelphia drew the Chicago Bears instead of the Green Bay Packers. They also landed the Carolina Panthers instead of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And in the AFC North crossover? Philadelphia gets the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dallas gets the Baltimore Ravens. That feels noteworthy.
Sure, opinions will naturally vary. Most reasonable observers would probably argue the Eagles would rather see Chicago, Carolina, and Pittsburgh than Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and Baltimore. That is not disrespect toward those teams. It is simply roster math and an exercise in matchups. It’s debatable, but it’s also fun to talk about in May when training camp is still a ways away.
First place may not have punished Philadelphia after all
The NFC East already shares matchups with the NFC West and AFC South, meaning both Philadelphia and Dallas already have plenty of common opponents. The real differences lie in those placement games. And surprisingly? Philadelphia’s versions may feel more manageable.
Now, yes, Pittsburgh always plays physical football. Carolina always gives the Eagles problems. Chicago could improve dramatically, and the Bears beat the Eagles last season while Philadelphia beat Green Bay… Again…
Nothing is guaranteed. That’s the point. Still, if someone casually asked which trio of games looks more favorable, many Eagles fans, and probably plenty of neutral observers, would lean toward Philadelphia’s side of the equation. That creates a mildly entertaining conclusion.
The Eagles spent all season winning their division, supposedly earning the ‘harder’ schedule that comes with finishing first, and somehow, Dallas may have gotten the rougher assignment anyway. Try that one in the group chat or at the water cooler and see how many debates you start. It’s football, and it’s fun to talk about this stuff in the summer before things get hectic.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Winning NFC East may have helped Eagles schedule-wise