With two straight wins under their belt and the NFC East title secured, the Philadelphia Eagles are heading into Week 17 with a chance to sharpen their edge before the postseason. Their next test? A matchup against the Buffalo Bills - a team that's been up and down this season but still dangerous enough to demand full focus.
The stakes for Philly have shifted a bit after the 49ers took care of business on Monday night against the Colts. That result officially took the No. 1 seed off the board for the Eagles. Now sitting in the third spot, they still have a shot at the No. 2 seed - but they'll need to win out and hope the Chicago Bears stumble in both of their remaining games.
That’s not out of the question. Chicago closes the season against two playoff-caliber teams: the 49ers and the Lions. Meanwhile, the Eagles face a Bills squad that’s been inconsistent all year and wrap up the regular season against a Washington Commanders team they just beat 29-18.
So the door’s not shut - but it’s narrow. And that brings us to the big question in Philly this week: How much should Nick Sirianni push his starters, especially the ones nursing injuries?
Sirianni, speaking on his regular spot with SportsRadio 94 WIP, didn’t reveal much in terms of specifics. But he made it clear that this week matters - a lot.
“This is a really important week for us, practice-wise, game-wise, to go and get better,” Sirianni said. “Really important week for us to improve as a football team.”
That’s not exactly a declaration, but it sure sounds like a coach leaning toward keeping the foot on the gas. And there’s logic behind that mindset.
Yes, the Eagles are riding a two-game win streak. But those wins came against teams below .500.
A victory over Buffalo - a playoff hopeful with plenty of firepower - would be a statement. More importantly, it would give this team something they’ve been searching for since their midseason stumble: momentum.
There’s no denying that injuries have disrupted the Eagles’ rhythm. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter and right tackle Lane Johnson have both missed time in the past month.
Linebacker Nakobe Dean has been dealing with his own issues. The risk of re-aggravating those injuries in a game that might not change the playoff picture is real.
But momentum matters - especially for a team that’s trying to rediscover its identity heading into January. Resting starters might protect the roster physically, but it could also stall any chemistry that’s just starting to build again.
Sirianni’s in a tough spot, but the signs point to him playing it straight - at least with his healthy starters. The real chess match will be how he handles the guys on the mend.
Do you give Carter and Johnson some live reps to get them back in rhythm? Or do you play it safe and hold them out until the Wild Card round?
There’s no perfect answer, but one thing’s clear: The Eagles aren’t treating Week 17 like a throwaway. Whether it’s about seeding, momentum, or simply sharpening their edge, this week is about more than just one game. It’s about setting the tone for the playoff run ahead.