Eagles’ loss and Week 18 NFL results reveal difficult first playoff opponent for Nick Sirianni’s team after resting starters
The Eagles know the start of their playoff path to the Super Bowl.
Some seasons, Week 18 has very little effect on the NFL postseason. This year, however, that was not the case for multiple division winners and seeding shuffling around the league. The Philadelphia Eagles know their first playoff opponent now and must prepare accordingly.
Eagles will play 49ers in Wild Card Round
With their loss in Week 18, the Eagles’ slot in the NFC playoffs became locked in at the No. 3 seed. Philadelphia rested starters in the regular season finale, playing a key hand in their performance against the Washington Commanders. The Eagles will host the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card Round on Sunday at 4:30 PM E.T. on FOX.
According to Zach Berman, the 49ers had two advance scouts in Philadelphia for their season finale. While it makes sense, you also have to consider how much valuable info they found since the Eagles benched many of their starters. WR Devonta Smith was the only starting skill player to play any meaningful snaps in order to reach 1,000 yards on the season.
The 49ers are coming off a loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 in primetime. If SF would have won that game, they would have earned the top overall seed in the NFC and a bye week for the Wild Card Round.
“San Francisco has one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses led by quarterback Brock Purdy, do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle. The 49ers’ offense was on a heater for the past month but scored only three points against Seattle’s strong defense. The 49ers’ defense has been banged up this season, losing key players like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams.” — Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia’s success for much of this season was built on the back of their defensive unit. They need to take a page out of Seattle’s book from the regular season finale. They shut down the 49ers in every way and allowed just three points.
No matter what – it will be interesting to see how the Eagles stars perform with some extra rest entering the postseason. The 49ers played their available starters in Week 18 during their loss.
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