Should the Eagles rest starters in Week 18?

The Philadelphia Eagles have a giant resolution to make in Week 18.

Ought to they play their starters in opposition to the Washington Commanders? Or ought to they relaxation them?

Had the Chicago Bears defeated the San Francisco on Sunday night time, resting the starters would’ve been the simple name for the reason that Birds would’ve been locked in to the No. 3 seed within the NFC playoff image.

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However the Bears’ loss leaves the door open to the Eagles shifting as much as the No. 2 seed if 1) Philly beats Washington AND 2) Chicago loses to the Detroit Lions within the ultimate week of the common season.

So, what ought to the Eagles do?

Listed here are some ideas on the matter with a conclusion to comply with.

There’s vital worth within the No. 2 seed.

It’s not just like the distinction between No. 2 and No. 3 is irrelevant. We simply noticed the Eagles win the Tremendous Bowl because the No. 2 seed final season.

The No. 2 seed is assured to host a second residence playoff recreation if they’ll win their first residence recreation within the Wild Card spherical. If the Eagles are in a position to transfer as much as No. 2, they’d be assured a house recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers … a workforce they beforehand beat at Lambeau Area earlier this season. And a workforce that’s now with out Micah Parsons and may enter the playoffs on a four-game dropping streak if Inexperienced Bay can’t beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

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If the Eagles can beat the Packers after which win within the Divisional Spherical, they’d have the ability to host the NFC Championship Recreation in Philly if the No. 1 seed loses their first playoff recreation. This clearly occurred final 12 months when the Detroit Lions misplaced to the Washington Commanders.

The Eagles won’t have to play starters to beat the Commanders.

The Commanders are fairly dangerous. They is likely to be beginning 39-year-old Josh Johnson at quarterback.

The Eagles’ backups received a Week 18 recreation over the New York Giants’ starters final 12 months. That consequence doesn’t assure it’ll occur once more on this spot. However there’s some cause to really feel that Tanner McKee may play effectively sufficient to guide the Birds to a win.

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Dan Quinn is likely to be out to actually spoil the Eagles’ No. 2 seed hopes.

Commanders gamers didn’t appear to understand Nick Sirianni going for a two-point conversion late within the Eagles’ win over Washington in Week 17. After the sport, Commanders head coach Dan Quinn talked robust about how they’ll see the Eagles once more in Week 18.

Looks like the Commanders may relish enjoying the Eagles robust. And perhaps even enjoying soiled to attempt to sabotage their division rival.

The Lions’ motivation to beat the Bears is unclear.

The Lions have been formally eradicated from playoff competition by dropping to the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas. They don’t have anything to play for however satisfaction in Week 18.

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However do we actually count on a Dan Campbell workforce to merely roll over? The Lions may end their season on a constructive notice by beating the Bears to doubtlessly knock Chicago all the way down to the No. 3 seed.

The Lions notably have a relaxation benefit on this matchup since they final performed on the afternoon of December 25 whereas the Bears performed a highway recreation on the night time of December 28.

There are caveats to the Eagles resting gamers.

It doesn’t need to be an all or nothing proposition. The Eagles can relaxation some gamers who aren’t essentially completely able to play in Week 18, resembling Lane Johnson. Or Nakobe Dean, who missed Week 17 with a hamstring harm.

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The Eagles also can monitor how the Lions-Bears recreation goes. If Chicago takes a giant lead early on and it seems like they’re going to win, the Eagles can pull their starters.

Making the decision

If I’m the Eagles, I’m asking myself what I’d remorse extra on this state of affairs.

If I relaxation the starters in a loss to Washington and the Bears occur to lose, it could be actually arduous to reside with not having tried to get the No. 2 seed.

If I play the starters and somebody will get harm and the Eagles don’t get the No. 2 seed, effectively, that sucks. However not less than I knew I attempted to get the No. 2 seed. I can reside with that.

And so I’m of the assumption that the Eagles ought to attempt to severely pursue the No. 2 seed. Resting starters can be splendid however it’s not like this workforce has been so nice with additional relaxation this season. They received a six-point recreation in opposition to Carson Wentz’s Minnesota Vikings coming off a mini-bye. They received a three-point recreation in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers coming off their precise bye week. They misplaced to the Los Angeles Chargers coming off one other mini-bye.

Play the starters and really feel good realizing you not less than tried to get the No. 2 seed for those who don’t get it.

What say you?