Can the Eagles be the No. 1 seed in the NFC?

Their recent comeback dominant win over the Ravens in Baltimore certainly fueled plenty of talk as well as some Super Bowl stir. With solid play on both sides of the ball, they certainly look like a contender. Yet, they could get some help this week.

Barring any major injuries or a slump, Philly also should have the NFC East title wrapped up in possibly two weeks, which is its magic number.

In this week’s version of my Inside the Huddle column, I’ll look at the Birds’ and Lions’ schedules, as well as some other league links. And how about those Fightin’ Irish?

Go Pack Go! ... If you have been to Lambeau Field or closely listen or watch Packers’ games, you’ll hear the chant, “Go Pack Go!”

Eagles’ fans should be cheering it Thursday night when Green Bay visits Detroit Thursday night. The Lions have a 5-1 home record, but the Packers are 4-1 on the road.

If Green Bay wins, both the Eagles and Lions would have a 10-2 conference record, and Philly has a better record against common opponents.

Comparing schedules, the Birds also are in a better situation. Currently, the Eagles would face teams that have a combined 27-43 record, while the Lions’ opponents have a 37-21 mark.

Philly hosts Carolina Sunday, and then has remaining games against Pittsburgh, at Washington, and closes with home games against Dallas and the Giants.

The real gut-wrencher, of course, will be against the Steelers, but having them at the Linc will help. They could clinch the division in Washington, which has been a Jekyll and Hyde team. Still, Jayden Daniels is dangerous in any game.

Dallas may have some life left, but the Eagles should handle Cooper Rush. And who knows what the state of the team will be against the hapless Giants.

Detroit has Green Bay, Buffalo, at Chicago, at San Francisco, and against the Vikings.

The Lions’ real test will be in their next two games against the Packers and Bills. Their season-ending game with Minnesota could be a classic.

If the Eagles don’t trip themselves up, they should have the top seed.

We’ll have a better picture after Thursday night.

In the End ... Week after week, the Chiefs have found ways to win though not playing their best football.

In a mind-blowing stat, Kansas City has won 14 straight one-possession games, five of them on the final play this season. Their latest was the botched snap to Las Vegas quarterback Aiden O’Connell, who couldn’t recover the fumble before the Chiefs did.

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling ... Remember when Northern Illinois shocked Notre Dame, 16-14 on Sept. 7, and most Irish fans were in panic mode after two consecutive disappointing seasons?

Well, since then, Notre Dame has impressively pieced together a 10-game win streak (11-1), the latest victory a 49-35 slugfest at USC.

The Irish have the country’s fourth-best offense, averaging 39.8 points per game, and the defense has been stingy, allowing just 13.6 per contest.

Head coach Marcus Freeman, who has come under continuous scrutiny, has his club playing at a high level and as a bonafide contender for a national championship.

The Irish’s last national championship was in 1988 when they went 12-0 under Lou Holtz. That team featured quarterback Tony Rice, running back Rickey Watters, wide receiver Raghib “Rocket” Ismail, defensive lineman Chris Zorich, and Philipsburg native linebacker Ned Bolcar.

During that season, the Irish averaged 29.9 points and allowed just 11.2.

If Notre Dame grabs the 10th seed, there’s a good chance there has been talk that it could travel to likely seventh-seed Penn State for the opening round.

That would certainly send some seismic waves through Schuylkill County. However, it’s too early to call.

Southern Cooking ... Looking at the Eagles’ roster, they have been drafted well by dipping into the tills at Georgia and Alabama.

The Bulldogs on defense are defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, linebackers Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith, and corners Eli Rickey, and Kelee Ringo.

The Crimson Tide players on offense are guard Landon Dickerson, wide receiver DaVonta Smith, and lineman Tyler Steen.

It’s a little uncanny how they are on both sides of the ball, but is another credit to general manager Howie Roseman.

Topping Off ... After Week 13, here are my top five teams:

1. Chiefs (11-1) - They once again pulled one off, this time on a bad snap, and have won an NFL-record 14 straight one-possession games, including five decided on the final play.

2. Lions (11-1) - Like I said before, they can be flip-flopped with the Chiefs, and may have made another brilliant move by signing safety Jamlal Adams.

3. Eagles (10-2) - They slugged it out with the Ravens, and pulled it out when needed. Looking like a complete team every week.

4. Bills (10-2) - Like the Eagles, they are playing at a high-level. Josh Allen is playing like an MVP, and it’s always great to watch their snow games.

5. Steelers (9-3) - They picked up another big win in a shootout. Russell Wilson is the perfect fit, and they could be the surprise team this year.

On The Cusp: The Vikings (10-2), Chargers (8-4), and Ravens (8-5) also all have valid reasons to make the list.

Bottoming Out ... Here are my worst five teams (worst team to fifth worst)

1. Giants (2-10) - There could be a couple teams here, but the Giants are hard to watch. Likely head to 2-15, but Drew Lock may win a game or two.

2. Jaguars (2-10) - They currently have the top pick, and you can see why. They can’t find a way to win, and Trevor Lawrence should be shelved for the year.

3. Raiders (2-10) - They had a great effort against the Chiefs, but appear to be snake-bit. Head coach Antonio Pierce should be headed out the door.

4. Titans (3-9) - Tennessee has plenty of holes to fill, but have been playing better. Their top priority will be to find a quarterback.

5. Bears (4-8) - Relatively unknown Matt Eberflus became a household name for his bungle against the Lions. Caleb Williams has shown he can develop into a productive quarterback.

Creeping Up: The Jets (3-9) and Patriots (3-10) are on the periphery, but I like the way the Browns (3-9) and Panthers (3-9) have played lately.

Matriculating Down the Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a significant game or the contributions of a player from our past.

With the Eagles hosting Carolina Sunday, do you remember the revenge game of the 2004 season after the Panthers beat the Birds in the 2003 NFC Championship Game?

It was Oct. 17, 2004 at the Linc, and the soaring Eagles (5-0) routed the paltry Panthers (1-4), 30-8.

Lito Sheppard had two of the Birds’ four interceptions — one a pick six of 64 yards — off quarterback Jake Delhomme, who was 24 of 42 for 205 yards.

Eagles’ quarterback Donovan McNabb, who threw four interceptions in the NFC Championship Game, hit 14 of 26 passes for 209 yards.

Brian Westbrook ran for 64 yards on 13 carries — one a 42-yard touchdown burst, and Dorsey Levens scored on a 1-yard plunge. David Akers booted three field goals.

Carolina outgained the Eagles, 344-283, but Delhomme’s four interceptions proved to be the difference.

Laying It On The Line ... Why did I go against the Eagles? As the Beatles once sang, “I should have known better.”

Overall, I had a 1-2 week, winning with the Cowboys, and still holding out hope for the dreadful Jets.

This week, I’ll take the Saints (-3.5) over the Giants, the Dolphins (-6.5) over the Jets, and the Eagles (-12.5) over the Panthers. The Eagles’ game is a big number, but they are very focused.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com