Sometimes in sports as in life — when you lose — you win. And You Grow.
The season for the 11–5 Eagles has not looked anything like we all imaged after last season’s Super Bowl Championship. And after clinching the Division two weeks ago at the Washington Commanders — they once again have a road through the playoffs that affords them nearly the same opportunities that they had a year earlier. Now — we’ll need to wait to see what the other NFC Teams will do.
Two weeks ago — the Eagles became the first team to win the NFC East in Back-to-back seasons since they themselves did it twenty-one years ago. Philadelphia has now won the NFC East for the second time in the last three seasons. The last time that the Eagles accomplished this in the early 2000s. It’s also the first time in franchise history that an Eagles coach has advanced to the playoffs all five seasons. It’s the only time in NFL History that a quarterback has accomplished the same feat with four different Offensive Coordinators.
Last season — with everything locked up at the end of the year and the Eagles having no path through the playoffs but to make a run at the Super Bowl by playing without a bye week — Philadelphia needed rest for their starters. History had shown that winning a Super Bowl having to play in the NFL Playoff Wildcard Round is possible (the 1997 Denver Broncos, the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, the 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, and the 2007 New York Giants among others.) And of course — your 2025 Philadelphia Eagles did it last season.
So what did Nick Sirianni do? He rested his starters in week 18 against the Giants and created a week of rest. The result was no accident.
While the temptation of jumping the Bears to claim the second seed and guaranteed home playoff games in both the NFC Wildcard and NFC Divisional Round Games — the risk of doing so is too great.
The Commanders don’t like Philadelphia — and is (certainly ready) for a game at Lincoln Financial Field after a late, successful two-point play two weeks ago. The Eagles can ill-afford an untimely injury in week 18 that would affect their playoff chances. And all of this assumes that Detroit can beat Chicago this weekend — but if that happens combined with an Eagles win this weekend — will give them the #2 seed in the NFC Playoffs once again. Just like last season.
So given the choice — take the rest. It may end up giving you a championship once again. With the announcement late on Wednesday that the majority of Philadelphia’s starters will sit this weekend — it looks like the Eagles agree.
The post A Playoff Strategy For the Eagles — At Peace With Third Place. appeared first on Philadelphia Sports Nation.