The Eagles sat key players on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Jalen Hurts. Tanner McKee started and went 21 of 40 for 241 yards with a touchdown, an interception and three sacks. Philly also sat most of its defensive starters, as the backups couldn’t keep Washington and starter Josh Johnson out of the end zone in the fourth quarter. Philly was outscored 17-10 in the final drive, but gave up two points and the offense managed just two first downs in its last three games.
“We can play any game,” safety Reed Blankenship said. “When the Lions win, when you’re on the sidelines, you’re like, ‘Man, I wish I had played, but you’re not going to know.’ I’d rather have a week’s rest and let my body recover than go out and be in a dogfight and then feel bad going into the final.”
Philly got the help it needed to jump one spot when Detroit beat Chicago, but the backups couldn’t close the deal. Whether the decision will come back to bite Philly remains to be seen, but Sirianni opted for the familiar and gave his key players a week off before the tournament.
“I know there will be a debate about it,” Sirianni said.
No. The 3-seeded Eagles will begin their Super Bowl defense at home against the 49ers. If the top seeds hold serve in the Wild Card round, Philly would go to Chicago in the divisional round.