At a Glance
- Eagles will rest several key starters in Week 18.
- They still aim to win to move from 3-seed to 2-seed.
- Backup quarterback Tanner McKee is slated to start the finale.
- Why it matters: The outcome could secure the Eagles a top-seed playoff spot.
The Philadelphia Eagles have confirmed that they will rest several key starters during their Week 18 showdown against the Washington Commanders, but the team will still need to win to climb from the third to the second seed in the NFC. Coach Nick Sirianni said the decision is part of a broader strategy that includes creating a bye-week-like rest period for his players. With backup quarterback Tanner McKee expected to take the reins, the game will test the depth of Philadelphia’s roster.
Rest Strategy
Sirianni explained that the rest plan is not a surprise, citing his earlier comments about the benefits of byes during a long season. He said that when the team has a break, players can recover and regroup, which has helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in past seasons.
Nick Sirianni stated:
> “We have a team meeting coming up,” Sirianni said. “I haven’t communicated that with our players so I’ll always talk to our players, discuss it with them before I discuss it. Nearing in more on a decision but I want to discuss it with those guys before I say anything else.”
Nick Sirianni added:
> “If I look back and how beneficial some of the byes that we’ve had have been, that’s part of the reason why you think through it,” Sirianni said on Monday. “It’s a marathon of a season. You give your guys some rest, you get some time to think through some different things, even though you’re preparing for an opponent as you go. Both times that I’ve been here that we’ve been to the Super Bowl, we’ve had that opportunity for a bye, and that’s ’22 and obviously ’24. In ’21, we created ourselves a bye as well. You have the opportunity to do that.”
Key points from Sirianni’s rest philosophy:
- Give players time to recover
- Use rest to strategize
- Create a bye-week-like break
Impact on Seeding
The Eagles are 11-5 and sit in the 3-seed of the NFC. A victory over Washington, coupled with a Bears-Lions loss, would elevate them to the 2-seed, granting a first-round bye.
| Scenario | Seed |
|---|---|
| Eagles win, Bears lose | 2 |
| Eagles win, Bears win | 3 |
| Eagles lose | 4 |
Backup Quarterback Outlook
Sirianni praised McKee’s ability to read defenses and deliver accurate passes. He highlighted McKee’s synergy with veteran Jalen Hurts, noting that the experience shared in practice has sharpened the backup’s play.
Nick Sirianni commented:
> “I think that when you see Tanner, he’s really good about knowing where to go with the football, seeing the defense and being able to deliver things accurately,” Sirianni said. “It’s a great room where those guys feed off each other and learn from each other. He’s got Jalen, being able to learn from Jalen, which is a huge deal. Anytime you’re around a really good quarterback, your game goes up too and he’s able to sit in that meeting room with Jalen for hours upon hours a day, just learning from him. That’s a big deal.”
Key Takeaways
- Resting key starters is part of a broader strategy
- A Week 18 win could move the Eagles from 3-seed to 2-seed
- Backup QB Tanner McKee will start, backed by Jalen Hurts’ mentorship
The Eagles will balance rest with a high-stakes finish, making the Week 18 game a decisive moment for the franchise’s playoff positioning.
