At a Glance
- The Philadelphia Eagles will rest most starters in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders to preserve health for a potential playoff seeding boost
- Decision gives backups like Tanner McKee a chance to play
- Game and Bears-Lions matchup start at 4:25 p.m., no advantage for either side
- Why it matters: Fans and the team may benefit from fresh starters while vying for the 2-seed
The Philadelphia Eagles will rest most starters in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders, a move aimed at preserving player health for a potential playoff seeding boost. Nick Sirianni said the decision was the best for the team, even though it does not guarantee a 2-seed. The game starts at 4:25 p.m., with the Bears-Lions matchup also on the clock, giving no advantage to either side.
Why Resting Started Matters
Nick Sirianni explained that resting starters was the best move for the team, even though it doesn’t guarantee a 2-seed. He said the decision keeps the roster healthy and lets the backup group get game experience. The coach emphasized that the team is ready to win the game with players who have not played many snaps.
Nick Sirianni said:
> “At the end of the day, it’s not a guarantee that we can get the 2-seed but I can guarantee that I can rest the starters,” Sirianni said. “Just thought that was the best thing for our football team right there. Feel really good about the guys that are going to go in there and play.”
Nick Sirianni said:
> “Obviously, you can’t rest everybody. We’ve had a good week of practice. We’re going in there to try to win the game with some guys that haven’t played a ton of snaps on offense and defense but obviously have contributed. But just felt like that was the best thing for the football team for this week, moving forward.”
Nick Sirianni said:
> “I’m sure we will. We’re still discussing some of that,” Sirianni said. “I mean, they put it on the scoreboard and I’m looking at the scoreboard quite a bit to rewatch plays or stuff like that, so you see it. We’ll see how it goes as the game goes on.”
Nick Sirianni said:
> “Anytime guys get to step on the field and have an opportunity to play, you’re always excited about that,” Sirianni said. “You get to see them a lot at practice but obviously a game’s different. You get really excited about some of these guys’ opportunities.”
- Preserve player health for the playoffs.
- Give backups real-game experience.
- Aim to win the game with a healthy roster.
Impact on Seeding
The Eagles need to beat the four-win Commanders and rely on the Lions defeating the Bears to move from the 3-seed to the 2-seed in the NFC. The simultaneous start times of the two games mean neither side has a timing advantage. The outcome of the Bears-Lions game will be closely monitored by the Eagles coaching staff.
Backup Opportunities
Backups such as Tanner McKee will see more snaps in the final game. Nick Sirianni said he is excited to watch the backups play, noting that they have been good in practice. The coach added that a game’s different from practice and that the opportunity is a big deal for the players.
Key Takeaways
- Resting starters preserves health for playoff push.
- Backup players get real-game experience.
- Seeding hinges on wins against Commanders and Lions vs Bears.
The Eagles’ strategy reflects a careful balance between immediate results and long-term health, with backups stepping up as the team aims for a higher playoff seed.
