Nick Sirianni spoke to the media ahead of the Week 18 matchup between the Philadephia Eagles and the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field in South Philadelphia. Based on last weekend’s NFL results, the Eagles are locked into the #2 seed in the NFC playoffs, and the win/loss result of the PHI-NYG game is irrelevant to Philadelphia’s post-season seeding. According to ESPN’s Playoff Machine, the Eagles appear most likely to host the Green Bay Packers in the Wild-Card game at the Linc.
Sirianni Chats on New Year’s Day
Naturally, Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni’s first question during his midweek media session regarded the playing status of starts against New York this weekend. “We’re going to rest some guys,” Sirianni flatly said on New Year’s Day. “We’re locked into that number two seed. There are going to be some guys who are in reserve roles because, obviously, you can’t rest everybody on the roster. So, that’s our plan moving forward.”
The Eagles coaching staff will take the practical approach to Week 18 for an Eagles team with far bigger goals to accomplish this season. Philly hasn’t had a bye week in over three months since early October. “That definitely played into all the decisions here,” Sirianni continued. “Our bye week being Week 5 … very early bye week … it’s very valuable to be able to be in this position to do that (rest starters).”
Saquon Barkley’s Regular Season “Probably” Done
The natural follow-up directly touched on Saquon Barkley’s status for the game against his former team. It does not appear like Saquon will torture his former boss again this weekend like he did in Week 7’s performance — 187 total yards rushing and a rushing touchdown.
“Yeah, he’ll probably be somebody that rests,” the Eagles coach said with a stone-faced expression. “We have a very selfless team,” the head coach said. “Our guys that are not playing in the game will use this as an opportunity to rest their bodies and help their teammate get better.” When asked if he spoke to the Eagles dynamic about the decision to rest this weekend. “Of course, I talked to Saquon, yeah,” the sideline boss confirmed. He declined to reveal additional details of the chat with the 27-year-old running back.
So, prepare yourselves, Eagles fans. The chances of a new NFL rushing champion this season are slim at best. Be prepared for Coach Saquon to coach up Kenny Gainwell and Will Shipley (questionable – concussion) in the backfield during the Week 18 matchup against the Giants. Tyrion Davis-Price and/or Lew Nichols could be options if Shipley is unavailable to play in the final week of the regular season.
Eagles QB Situation Entering Week 18
The Eagles decision-maker declined to name a starting quarterback for the Eagles this weekend. “We’ll see as the week progresses and where we are as the week progresses,” Sirianni answered.
Kenny Pickett departed the Eagles’ Week 17 game with an upper-body injury, leading to the first career NFL snaps for Tanner McKee – 3-of-4 passing for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Starting Quarterback Jalen Hurts did not play last week’s game after suffering a concussion against Washington during Week 16. He is expected to be held out of the final regular season matchup this season as well.
Philly Sports Network will have plenty more coverage of Week 18’s home meeting with the New York Giants and the Eagles quest to return to football’s biggest stage for the second time in three seasons.
Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
