The Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) have an interesting storyline hovering over its regular season finale with the New York Giants (9-6-1).

Having lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, the Birds need to win in order to lock up the No. 1 see in the NFC, retaining home-field advantage throughout the postseason. Divisional games are never easy to win in the NFL, but there is reason to believe the Eagles are in the perfect scenario for Week 18.

The Giants play the Eagles next week and someway, somehow: The Giants can rest their starters next week and the Eagles can't.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 1, 2023

With the Giants’ win over the Indianapolis Colts, New York clinched its first playoff berth since 2016. In fact, the Giants are locked in as the No. 6 seed in the NFC. They can’t catch the Dallas Cowboys for the fifth seed and won’t be able to be passed by any team below them.

Rest vs. Rust

That leaves head coach Brian Daboll with an important decision to make. Daboll must decide whether to rest his starters for a likely wild card match, or to continue his team’s forward momentum while playing the role of spoiler against a divisional foe.

Oddsmakers indicate that New York will likely rest its key cogs, labeling the Eagles as massive 13.5-point favorites at the opening line, per BetMGM.

When asked about the strategy following Sunday’s win, Daboll revealed he isn’t planning to hold any players out for the contest.

“No. You get rest after the season. This is a long season. This is the fun part of the season. Fun part of the season when you’re winning, bad part of the season when you’re losing.”

Just in case you Eagles fans were wondering… Daboll said he's not resting players. And I quote "you can rest after the season".

Daboll is trying to win that game. Y'all better check Hurts shoulder and give him that green light. pic.twitter.com/vD5BWia6fy

— William Spencer III (@hype_phinest) January 2, 2023

Now, plenty could change during the week. Players with nagging bumps and bruises could benefit from the extra rest, but halting momentum is an implied risk with sitting starters. This will continue to be a situation to monitor leading up to Sunday’s game.

Featured image via Bill Streicher – USA TODAY Sports