NFC Playoff Picture: Panthers do the Eagles a favor by beating Rams

A few times a year, Philadelphia Eagles fans enjoy a stress-free Sunday. Those come when Philadelphia's fans and media don't have to stress with the Birds being idle.

Oftentimes, we mention bye and short weeks. Say the Birds have a short week and play on a Thursday. The result of their game has been known for some time before the NFL begins its slate of Sunday games. Hopefully, fans can enjoy the day's action knowing the Eagles have already secured a win.

That isn't the case this time around. Philadelphia's Black Friday loss was their second in as many games and their second in six days. That dropped them behind the then 8-2 Los Angeles Rams and the 8-3 Chicago Bears. Who would have thought that, two days later, the Carolina Panthers would upset the Rams, a team many were labeling as a Super Bowl favorite? That should serve as a nice consolation prize for Eagles fans everywhere.

Carolina obviously wasn't doing Philadelphia a solid intentionally. They have playoff dreams of their own as they continue their race for the NFC South's crown. The big news, however, is as follows. The Eagles trail the Rams and Bears by a single game with five remaining for all three teams. They own a tie-breaker over the Los Angeles. Chicago owns a tie-breaker over them. The Bears are currently the top seed in the National Football Conference.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: NFC Playoff Picture: Panthers do the Eagles a favor by beating Rams