Sit or play the starters? A position-by-position prediction for Eagles in Week 18

1 week ago 2

The Eagles, and most importantly, head coach Nick Sirianni, have a decision to make over the next 48 hours or so. Philadelphia is 11-5 on the season, NFC East champs, and depending on what happens this weekend, the Eagles will host a playoff game during Wild Card Weekend against either the Packers, Rams, 49ers, or the Seahawks. We know the Birds can't fall below the third seed, depending on what happens in Week 18. Asked about his team playing to secure the No. 2 seed, while putting players at risk of injury, the Eagles coach was noncommittal and hadn't decided on what route the defending Super Bowl champions would take.

If the Eagles are the three seed, they will play the six seed. If they earn the two seed, they'll play the seven seed. If the season ended today, Philadelphia (3) would host the Los Angeles Rams (6) in a rematch of a 33-26 win over Sean McVay's team in Week 3. The Bears (2) would host the Packers (7), and the Panthers (4) would host the 49ers (5).

For the Eagles to get the No. 2 seed, they'd have to win at home vs. Washington (4-12) on Jan. 4 − and the Bears (11-5) would have to lose their final game vs. Detroit (8-8).

With the team slate set to hit the practice field on Thursday, we're taking a position-by-position look at who should sit and who should play.

QB

Jalen Hurts - SitTanner McKee - StartSam Howell -- Sit

Hurts' regular season should be over, while Tanner McKee has the talent to win a game, but will Sirianni want to risk the NFL's top backup quarterback to a potential injury? Philadelphia should start Sam Howell and elevate Kyle McCord.

RB

Saquon Barkley -- sitWill Shipley -- playTank Bigsby -- sitA.J. Dillon -- play

Barkley is too critical to risk an injury, while Bigsby is just as important. Philadelphia should let Will Shipley and A.J. Dillon finish the regular season.

WR

A.J. Brown - SitDarius Cooper -- Play

Jahan Dotson -- SitBritain Covey -- Sit

DeVonta Smith -- Sit

Philadelphia has Quez Watkins, Danny Gray, and Terrace Marshall on the practice squad. Along with Darius Cooper they should finish the regular season.

TE

Dallas Goedert -- SitGrant Calcaterra -- SitKylen Granson -- playCameron Latu -- play

OL

Landon Dickerson - SitBrett Toth -- PlayCam Jurgens -- SitDrew Kendall -- PlayTyler Steen -- SitMatt Pryor-- PlayJordan Mailata -- PlayLane Johnson -- SitFred Johnson -- Sit

Jake Majors and Hollin Pierce can be elevated from the practice squad.