Eagles’ Path to the No. 2 Seed: Why Resting Starters Isn’t the Answer

With the Philadelphia Eagles already making history, becoming the first NFC East team to capture back-to-back division championships in 20 years, all eyes have understandably been fixed upon their Week 17 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

The Dilemma: Rest Starters or Chase the Seed?

Many have discussed whether or not the Eagles should play their starters in Buffalo, or rest them, avoiding any injury, and focus on making another deep playoff run.

However, the Eagles do still have a path to the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, the same position they landed in last season, ending with a Super Bowl victory.

The Blueprint for the NFC No. 2 Seed

What is that path?  It's pretty simple.  The Eagles must win their final two games, and the Chicago Bears must lose their final two games. Chicago has a game in San Francisco on Sunday night and then closes out the season at home against the Detroit Lions, who were eliminated from playoff contention after their Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Chicago is currently a three-point underdog in the game on Sunday against the 49ers.

After the Eagles travel to Buffalo, they will close out the season at home against the Washington Commanders.

Could the Bears lose both games? It's certainly possible.  Could the Eagles sweep their final two games?  That's possible too.

If anything, it's possible enough that Philadelphia should play to win on Sunday in Buffalo.