Tim McManus ESPN Staff Writer 3 Minute Read

PHILADELPHIA -- There are no signs of shrines in the Eagles locker room this week, save what remains of Chris Long's homage to Nick Foles, but the players are feeling cosmically connected nonetheless heading into Week 17.

"We're about to make a run. I feel like we're about to win this game and the universe is going to help us get this thing," said defensive end Brandon Graham. "All I know is I feel a lot better. Obviously I haven't cleaned out my locker because I'm feeling real good about my chances."

Two things need to happen Sunday for the defending champs to get into the playoffs: The Eagles need to win at the Washington Redskins, and the Chicago Bears need to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota. Philly is currently a seven-point favorite, while the Bears are 4.5-point underdogs.

The Eagles need some help to get into the playoffs, but their main objective is to take care of their own business against Washington. Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Doug Pederson hinted that he put a call in to his old friend, Bears head coach Matt Nagy, early in the week asking for a little help.

"I don't care who he called. I really don't," Vikings coach Mike Zimmer responded. "I didn't hear that. But I don't care who Doug calls or who anybody calls."

What matters more is whether Nagy decides to play his starters for the full 60 minutes. While he's left some wiggle room should the L.A. Rams pull out to a big lead against the 49ers (a Rams win would give them the No. 2 seed, locking Chicago in the No. 3 seed regardless of the Vikings-Bears outcome), Nagy said he feels Chicago is in a position where they "have to play to win" given that there's at least a chance to improve its seeding.

"Hopefully the Bears don't sit their starters," Graham said. "There is a lot of stuff going on. Obviously, I'm into it. ... The Vikings have a big chance against the Bears but at the end of the day, I like our chances as long as we take care of business on Sunday."

That has been the main point of focus for the Eagles this week -- making sure they hold up their end of the bargain. It has played out time and again in this league where a team ends up having a playoff berth slip through their fingers because of their inability to close the deal.

The Eagles don't have to look far for a cautionary tale.

"I was in [that situation] last year when I was in Baltimore. Unfortunately, it didn't go the way we wanted," said veteran receiver Mike Wallace. "We lost on like the last play of the game [to the Cincinnati Bengals], fourth and [12], that's how Buffalo got into the playoffs. Hopefully it turns out a lot better for us this year."

The lesson is not lost on his teammates. Graham said it would be a "tragedy" if the Eagles end up with an opportunity to make it into the postseason and fail to capitalize.

"We've got a game to play," added defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. "We've got a game to prepare for. We need to win this game right here in order to get into the postseason. And I think that's what's most important to this locker room right now."