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Philadelphia is 11-5 on the season, NFC East champs, and depending on what happens this weekend, the Eagles will host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend against either the Packers, Rams, 49ers, or the Seahawks. On Wednesday, the Eagles, and most importantly, head coach Nick Sirianni, decided to rest quarterback Jalen Hurts and a bulk of key starters.
We know the Birds can't fall below the third seed, depending on what happens in Week 18. Asked about his team playing to secure the No. 2 seed, while putting players at risk of injury, the Eagles coach has harped on the importance of a week of rest before the Wild Card game.
On Friday, Sirianni provided more insight and clarity into his decision.
Earlier this week, Zach Berman of The Athletic highlighted Sirianni's thought process on that extra week of rest and the advantage it presents to guys like Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and others.
If the Eagles are the three seed, they will play the six seed. If they earn the two seed, they'll play the seven seed. If the season ended today, Philadelphia (3) would host the Los Angeles Rams (6) in a rematch of a 33-26 win over Sean McVay's team in Week 3. The Bears (2) would host the Packers (7), and the Panthers (4) would host the 49ers (5).
For the Eagles to get the No. 2 seed, they'd have to win at home vs. Washington (4-12) on Jan. 4 − and the Bears (11-5) would have to lose their final game vs. Detroit (8-8).
On Wednesday morning, we predicted who would start or sit, and projected 20+ key players on both sides of the ball to rest, or get a much-needed Week 18 bye before hosting a wild-card game. Philadelphia will face a Washington team that is expected to start third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota both out.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Nick Sirianni offers additional insight into Eagles' resting starters
Continue reading...
We know the Birds can't fall below the third seed, depending on what happens in Week 18. Asked about his team playing to secure the No. 2 seed, while putting players at risk of injury, the Eagles coach has harped on the importance of a week of rest before the Wild Card game.
On Friday, Sirianni provided more insight and clarity into his decision.
Nick Sirianni on resting starters says “it’s not a guarantee” that Eagles can get No. 2 seed, but “it is a guarantee” that we can rest” starters
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) January 2, 2026
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni further explains their thought process in resting some starters Sunday vs the Commanders.@KYWNewsradiopic.twitter.com/ycns3Zjieu
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) January 2, 2026
Earlier this week, Zach Berman of The Athletic highlighted Sirianni's thought process on that extra week of rest and the advantage it presents to guys like Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, and others.
Sirianni didn't say it, but from conversations about this topic last year, I can say it wasn't lost on the Eagles that they tried playing to improve their seed (with the need for help) in 2023 and they lost A.J. Brown to an injury in Week 18. https://t.co/bXYoOMIH1J
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) December 29, 2025
If the Eagles are the three seed, they will play the six seed. If they earn the two seed, they'll play the seven seed. If the season ended today, Philadelphia (3) would host the Los Angeles Rams (6) in a rematch of a 33-26 win over Sean McVay's team in Week 3. The Bears (2) would host the Packers (7), and the Panthers (4) would host the 49ers (5).
For the Eagles to get the No. 2 seed, they'd have to win at home vs. Washington (4-12) on Jan. 4 − and the Bears (11-5) would have to lose their final game vs. Detroit (8-8).
On Wednesday morning, we predicted who would start or sit, and projected 20+ key players on both sides of the ball to rest, or get a much-needed Week 18 bye before hosting a wild-card game. Philadelphia will face a Washington team that is expected to start third-string quarterback Josh Johnson, with Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota both out.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Nick Sirianni offers additional insight into Eagles' resting starters
Continue reading...