At a Glance
- Eagles face a Week 18 decision that could give them the No. 2 NFC seed.
- The outcome hinges on a win vs. the Commanders and a Bears loss to the Lions.
- Coach Nick Sirianni is weighing playing starters against resting key players.
Why it matters: The choice could set the Eagles’ playoff path and affect player health heading into the postseason.
With the regular season’s final game on the line, the Philadelphia Eagles are at a crossroads: play their starters and chase the coveted No. 2 seed or rest to preserve talent for the playoffs. Coach Nick Sirianni‘s decision will hinge on odds, injuries, and the stakes of the Week 18 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
The Stakes of the No. 2 Seed
Securing the No. 2 seed grants a guaranteed second-home game in the wild-card round and, if victorious, a home divisional matchup. Last season, the Eagles’ No. 2 status helped propel them to the Super Bowl.
- 38% chance of achieving the No. 2 seed (Athletic model)
- 7.5-point home favorite vs. the Commanders
- Bears 2.5-point favorite vs. the Lions
| Seed | Wild-Card Opponent | Divisional Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Packers (9-6-1) | TBD (if win) |
| 3 | Rams or 49ers | TBD |
The table shows how the seeding would determine the Eagles’ next opponents.
Playing vs. Resting: Pros and Cons
Playing the starters could improve offensive output and confidence, but risks injury. Resting could preserve players but may cost the seeding if the Commanders win.
Pros of playing:
- Chance to secure the No. 2 seed
- Better offensive performance than Week 17 vs. the Bills
- Confidence boost heading into the playoffs
Pros of resting:
- Avoid injury to key players (e.g., A.J. Brown)
- Create a de facto bye week
- Potentially still beat the Commanders with backups
Potential Disaster Scenarios
Each path carries a risk. Playing could still result in a 3-seed finish if the Bears win, while resting could mean missing the seeding opportunity if the Commanders win.
- Playing: Lose to the Commanders and Bears win → 3-seed + injuries
- Resting: Commanders win → missed 2-seed, easier playoff path
What’s Likely to Happen?
Sirianni has hinted at a middle-ground approach, keeping key starters on the field while monitoring the Bears game, but the final decision remains uncertain.
- Possible mix of starters and backups
- Decision may shift based on Bears outcome
Coach Nick Sirianni stated:
> “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. “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 Takeaways
- The Eagles’ Week 18 outcome could lock them into the No. 2 NFC seed.
- Playing starters offers a better seeding chance but risks injury.
- Resting preserves talent but could cost the seeding if the Commanders win.
Whatever the Eagles choose, the Week 18 outcome will shape their playoff trajectory and player health heading into the postseason.
