Nick Sirianni Prioritizes Rest Over Seeding as Eagles Sit Starters

The Philadelphia Eagles head into Week 18 with a chance to make the second seed with a win over the Washington Commanders and hoping a Chicago Bears’ loss to the Detroit Lions. But, the Eagles aren’t much bothered about where they stand in the playoffs.

The Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni announced that the Birds are prioritising providing rest to the Eagles’ starters over landing the potential higher seeding.

It’s not a guarantee we can get the No. 2 seed, but I can guarantee I can rest the starters. Just thought that was the best thing for our football team right there.

Nick Sirianni said

Nick Sirianni says he decided to rest most of the starters in part because he can “guarantee rest but can’t guarantee the two seed”

Says they will try to win the game and is excited for the players who will be on the field pic.twitter.com/YXa177RiCl

— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) January 2, 2026

The reigning Super Bowl MVP, Jalen Hurts, will be on the sidelines against the Commanders. Hurts will be replaced by Tanner McKee, who’s starting in Week 18 for the second season in a row. Speaking about last season, Sirianni’s latest decision to bench starters is nothing new. Last year, Sirianni benched Saquon Barkley when he was so close to breaching the league record for most rushing yards in a single regular season.

Aside from the break reason, the Eagles have previously suffered harsh fates when they had players injured in the final week. AJ Brown was injured in the regular-season wind-up game against the New York Giants. Brown ended up missing the postseason loss of 32-9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jordan Mailata, the Eagles’ resident singer and offensive tackle, shared the same ideology as their coach. He explained that resting players this week provides a crucial mental reset for those sidelined, while also offering a much-needed physical recovery for others late in the season, when no one is fully healthy. The OT added that the time off allows the team to refocus on the playoffs, calling it a major advantage comparable to an extra bye week that delivers significant benefits.

What’s at stake for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday?

The Philadelphia Eagles could face three possible Wild Card opponents: the Green Bay Packers, the Los Angeles Rams, or the San Francisco 49ers. A win over the Commanders combined with a Chicago loss could elevate Philadelphia to the No. 2 seed, setting up a matchup with Green Bay. Among the options, Green Bay appears to be the most favorable draw.

The Packers enter the postseason banged up, with Micah Parsons already ruled out and Jordan Love struggling after a concussion. Compared to a surging Brock Purdy or MVP-caliber Matthew Stafford, Green Bay presents the least daunting quarterback challenge. While Philadelphia remains confident at home against any opponent, the Packers stands out as the preferred matchup, followed by Los Angeles and then San Francisco.

The 49ers may have lost to the Seahawks in the NFC conference seed decider on Saturday, but they are still quite dangerous. Purdy totaled ten total touchdowns in just two games, mindlessly decimating the opponents. The Rams, on the other hand, were exposed in their Week 17 loss against the Atlanta Falcons.

Speaking from the Eagles’ perspective, Week 18 will allow them to experiment and give more snaps and leadership opportunities for rookies and young athletes on the roster. Additionally, the Commanders are not a potent team like they were last season. The Eagles’ second-stringers could maybe defeat them and control what they can.

Health remains a concern along the offensive line, particularly for Cam Jurgens and Landon Dickerson. While a week of rest is unlikely to fully heal injuries that may require an entire offseason to resolve, it offers protection against further damage. Both linemen previously played through injuries during the Super Bowl run, and the lingering effects are now evident. It may not be transformative, but it is still valuable at this stage.

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