Eagles’ Decision: To Rest or Not to Rest Starters in Week 18?

The Philadelphia Eagles face a crucial decision in Week 18.

They must decide whether to field their starters against the Washington Commanders or allow them to rest.

Had the Chicago Bears won against the San Francisco team on Sunday night, the choice would have been simpler since the Eagles would have secured the No. 3 seed in the NFC playoffs.

However, with the Bears’ loss, the Eagles now have the opportunity to clinch the No. 2 seed if they win against Washington and Chicago loses to the Detroit Lions in the final week.

So, what should the Eagles’ strategy be?

The distinction between the No. 2 and No. 3 seed is significant; the Eagles previously captured the Super Bowl as the No. 2 seed last season.

Securing the No. 2 seed guarantees a second home playoff game, contingent on winning the first playoff in the Wild Card round. This could mean facing the Green Bay Packers, whom they previously defeated at Lambeau Field.

The Commanders are struggling, potentially fielding 39-year-old Josh Johnson as quarterback.

Last year, the Eagles’ backups managed to defeat the New York Giants’ starters in Week 18, fostering optimism that Tanner McKee could lead the team to victory.

Following a previous close game, the Commanders are likely motivated to challenge the Eagles. Head coach Dan Quinn indicated they would play tough against their rivals.

Although the Lions have been eliminated from playoff contention, they could fight to finish the season strong against the Bears, impacting the Eagles’ playoff position.

The Eagles can afford to rest specific players, like Lane Johnson or Nakobe Dean, while still monitoring the Lions-Bears game outcome to determine how aggressively to approach their strategy.

Ultimately, it’s crucial for the Eagles to weigh potential regrets, choosing between risking injury by playing starters or resting them and potentially missing the chance for the No. 2 seed.