Nick Sirianni Weighs Options for Starters in Week 18 Matchup
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni is still deciding whether to rest starters in the final regular season game against the Giants this week
Eagles, Nick Sirianni, Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, NFL, Philadelphia, USA
Philadelphia: So, Nick Sirianni is still on the fence about whether to play his starters in Week 18 against the Giants. The Eagles have already secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC, so it’s a big decision for him.
He mentioned he’s not quite ready to make that call yet. Sirianni gave the players a day off, but they’ll be back in a couple of days. He promised to keep them in the loop before talking to the media.
With the Eagles having played 12 straight weeks, this is their last chance to rest up before the playoffs. They’re looking to make a deep run, so it makes sense to consider some downtime.
But there’s also the temptation to let the starters play, especially with Saquon Barkley so close to breaking a rushing record. He’s just 101 yards away from Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season record, which adds some excitement to the mix.
Some Eagles players are eager to play and chase that record, but the team’s bigger goal is winning the Super Bowl. It’s a balancing act for Sirianni.
Then there’s Jalen Hurts, who missed the last game due to a concussion. If he clears the protocol, should he get some game time in Week 18? Sirianni is weighing all these factors carefully.
He said he’ll consider what’s best for the team and the individual players. It sounds like they might rest the starters or at least pull them early in the game.
If that happens, it’ll give the backups a chance to shine. Those game reps are super valuable for evaluation and experience, which is always a plus.