The Philadelphia Eagles are making final adjustments as they head toward the NFL playoffs after wrapping up their regular season with a home game against the New York Giants. This matchup, taking place at Lincoln Financial Field, stands as more than just another game for the Eagles; it’s their opportunity to fine-tune their strategies without the pressure of immediate stakes.
Kicking off at 1 p.m. ET, the Eagles will compete for not just bragging rights but also enhanced momentum heading to the postseason. Following their recent victory against the Dallas Cowboys, which solidified their position as the No. 2 seed for the playoffs, many fans are eager to see how the team plans to approach this last contest.
Notably absent from the field will be star quarterback Jalen Hurts, sidelined due to the concussion he suffered during Week 16 against the Washington Commanders. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport provided insight, stating, "Jalen Hurts, their star quarterback, still is dealing with a concussion and did not practice this week and is out." Despite this setback, there’s cautious optimism as Rapoport mentioned, "he is progressing in the NFL's concussion protocol paving the way potentially for him to be on the field this week as they gear up for a playoff run.”
With Hurts unable to participate, Tanner McKee, who recently completed his first NFL touchdown pass to A.J. Brown, steps up to take the reins. McKee's transition from backup to starter adds another layer of intrigue for fans watching the Eagles today. The team’s head coach, Nick Sirianni, is making strategic moves today, resting several key players to prevent injury and prepare for the upcoming playoff battle.
Equally significant is the absence of running back Saquon Barkley, who is also inactive for the game. Barkley, playing against his former team, had hoped to capitalise on this chance to break the single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984. Despite surpassing the 2,000-yard mark recently, Barkley expressed mixed feelings about needing just 101 yards to claim the record, balancing personal goals with team dynamics: "At the end of the day, it's not in God's plan. He had bigger things in mind. We have a chance to rest and get ready to roll for the playoffs."
Other starters resting Sunday include cornerback Darius Slay, wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, as well as linemen Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. The decision to rest these players signals the Eagles' commitment to health and long-term success over immediate win-loss records. Fortunately, the team activated tight end Dallas Goedert from IR, adding depth to their lineup for the finale.
Fans will have the opportunity to watch the game broadcast locally on CBS News Philadelphia and stream it nationwide on NFL+ and Paramount Plus. While the stakes of this game appear lower than other matchups, it serves as both preparation for the playoffs and as a way to maintain team morale and performance precision heading forward.
With the Eagles likely facing either the Green Bay Packers or the Washington Commanders during the first round of playoffs, maintaining momentum and supporting injured players like Hurts will be key for the team’s playoff success. Analysts and fans alike are optimistic, and with good reason; if Hurts is back on the field, the Eagles will feature one of the league's most dynamic offenses. The combination of resting key starters for health and focusing on strategy sets the stage for what could be thrilling start to the playoffs.