{"id":261211,"date":"2025-12-31T14:17:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T19:17:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=261211"},"modified":"2025-12-31T14:17:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T19:17:39","slug":"philadelphia-eagles-make-decision-regarding-resting-starters-in-week-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/31\/philadelphia-eagles-make-decision-regarding-resting-starters-in-week-18\/","title":{"rendered":"Philadelphia Eagles Make Decision Regarding Resting Starters in Week 18"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Rest or Play: Sirianni, Philadelphia Eagles Make Decision on Week 18 Matchup<\/h2>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/24\/philadelphia-eagles-opponents-for-2026-schedule-revealed\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> have a tough decision to make in Week 18. On one hand, they could rest many starters to have them fresh for the postseason. On the other hand, the team still has playoff seeding to play for. A win combined with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/16\/caleb-williams-drew-dalman-offensive-line-praise\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Bears<\/a> loss against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/31\/new-years-resolutions-for-the-detroit-lions\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Lions<\/a> would give the Eagles the NFC&#8217;s two seed. Nick Sirianni has made a decision, though, showing what the team prioritizes.<\/p>\n<h3>Prioritizing Rest<\/h3>\n<p>The Philadelphia Eagles are expected to rest &#8220;most starters&#8221; in their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/game\/_\/gameId\/401772959\/commanders-eagles\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Week 18 matchup<\/a> against the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/08\/commanders-2025-season-ends-with-gruesome-zach-ertz-injury-3-next-teams-for-the-veteran\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington Commanders<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Eagles?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Eagles<\/a> are expected to rest QB Jalen Hurts and most starters in the season finale vs. the Commanders, sources told The Inquirer.<\/p>\n<p>Shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise based on HC Nick Sirianni\u2019s comments when asked about the benefit of having a \u201cbye\u201d week heading into the playoffs.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jeff_McLane\/status\/2006380593781846116?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Given previous seasons and how the Eagles approached the end of the season, this should come as no surprise. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/11\/24\/eagles-vs-cowboys-blown-lead-falls-on-nick-sirianni-coaching-staff\/\" target=\"_self\">Sirianni<\/a> had this to say earlier in the week when asked about prioritizing rest vs seeding:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<em>If I look back, and how beneficial some of the byes that we\u2019ve had have been, that\u2019s part of the reason why you think through it.<\/em>\u00a0<em>It\u2019s a marathon of a season&#8230;You give your guys some rest, you get some time to think through some different things, even though you\u2019re preparing for an opponent as you go.<\/em>&lt;\/em&gt; Both times that I\u2019ve been here, that we\u2019ve been to the Super Bowl, we\u2019ve had that opportunity for a bye, and that\u2019s \u201922 and obviously \u201924. In \u201921, we created ourselves a bye as well. You have the opportunity to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div>Sirianni clearly values the extra rest immensely, and it is hard to argue with the results. Given the two most recent instances of this rest, they won a Super Bowl and went to another, it&#8217;s hard to argue with that thought process.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Eagles could still defeat the Commanders, even with many of their backups playing. Washington has been one of the league&#8217;s worst teams so far this year, and the Eagles have a lot of depth at key positions. Regardless, the Eagles will be hoping for a win and a Bears loss in Week 18 to move up into the two seed.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_260752\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-260752\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-260752 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A.J. Brown Trade\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/A.J.-Brown-Trade-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-260752\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) prepares to catch a pass against Buffalo Bills cornerback Christian Benford (47) during the first quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Should starters play?<\/h3>\n<div>The flip side to resting starters is potentially missing out on a golden opportunity. In 2022 and 2024, the Eagles were locked into the one seed and two seed. This makes the situation different than the one they are currently in. Being the two seed guarantees two home playoff games (assuming the Eagles win in the Wild Card round). Alternatively, if they remain in the three seed and the Bears win in the Wild Card round, the Eagles will travel to Chicago for a divisional round matchup.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>On top of that, being the two-seed offers a much more favorable opponent. The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/29\/ex-cowboys-star-parsons-sideline-shoutout-crowns-packers-willis\/\" target=\"_self\">Green Bay Packers<\/a> have clinched the seven seed, so whichever team ends up as the two seed will host them. The Packers have been sputtering lately, being derailed by injuries and declining play.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<figure id=\"attachment_260319\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-260319\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-260319 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/12\/USATSI_27870614_168402708_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-260319\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dec 20, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs off the field after the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Alternatively, the three-seed will play whichever team ends up as the three-seed. The two teams that could end up being are the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/31\/rams-mock-draft-has-them-landing-first-round-defender\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/30\/49ers-pro-bowl-selections-highlight-team-wide-playoff-push\/\" target=\"_self\">San Francisco 49ers<\/a>. The 49ers have been one of football&#8217;s best teams lately, with an offense that is firing on all cylinders. The Rams, although they have struggled a bit the last two weeks, are still one of the league&#8217;s best teams with potentially the league MVP.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Packers would be a much more favorable matchup as opposed to the Rams or 49ers. For the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/12\/24\/five-philadelphia-eagles-named-to-pro-bowl-roster\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> to miss out on being the two seed due to resting players would be a tough pill to swallow. It is a tough decision to make, as both sides have their pros and cons. Only time will tell if the Eagles ended up making the right decision.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Main Photo: [Tina MacIntyre-Yee\/Democrat and Chronicle] &#8211; Imagn Images<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Philadelphia Eagles Week 18 matchup carries a tough decision on resting or playing starters, and the team has announced their decision.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5588,"featured_media":261245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[5865,970,2633],"class_list":["post-261211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eagles","tag-jalen-hurts","tag-nfl-playoffs","tag-saquon-barkley"],"modified_by":"Michael Zimmelman","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5588"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=261211"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":261244,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/261211\/revisions\/261244"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/261245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=261211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=261211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=261211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}