UPDATE: Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has made a controversial decision to rest key players, including running back Saquon Barkley, in the team’s crucial regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. Barkley is only 87 yards away from securing a $250,000 bonus, but Sirianni is prioritizing player health over individual achievements.
With the Eagles having lost their chance at the No. 1 seed, the focus shifts to maintaining momentum for the playoffs. The decision comes as the Eagles face the possibility of securing the No. 2 seed, contingent on the outcome of the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game. Currently, the Bears hold the tiebreaker over the Eagles from their earlier matchup this season.
Fans are divided over Sirianni’s choice. Some laud the strategy, recalling the team’s successful playoff run last year, while others are frustrated, insisting the Eagles should fight for the best playoff positioning available. One fan tweeted, “Wrong call with the 2nd seed still in play. Nick and Jalen haven’t won a road playoff game but they have won all their home games.” Another fan added, “If our backups can’t beat Josh Johnson, then we don’t deserve the 2 seed anyways.”
As of Thursday, key players including Jalen Carter (hip), Nakobe Dean (hamstring), Dallas Goedert (knee), Lane Johnson (foot), and Jaelan Phillips (ankle) were not participating in practice, likely ruling them out for the game.
Sirianni defended his decision, stating, “If I look back, and how beneficial some of the byes that we’ve had have been, that’s part of the reason why you think through it.” He emphasized that previous Super Bowl runs were aided by strategic rest for players.
The stakes of this decision are high as the difference between the No. 2 and No. 3 seed guarantees a home game in the divisional round, significantly impacting the playoff journey. As the Eagles prepare for the finale, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this strategy pays off in the postseason.
Stay tuned for live updates as the situation develops ahead of the game on January 7, 2024.
