The Ringer's Philly Special Eagles-Commanders, Playoff Opponents, and Mailbag With Zach Berman!
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Jan 2, 2026 Join Zach Berman, a National NFL reporter for The Athletic, as he dives into the Eagles' strategy ahead of their game against the Washington Commanders. Berman explains the pros and cons of resting starters, shares insider injury updates, and discusses players with performance incentives. They play a fun guessing game for potential playoff matchups and explore the implications of winning or losing this crucial game. Fans will love the mailbag discussing everything from wedding tensions to game-day superstitions!
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Resting Starters To Prioritize Playoff Health
- The Eagles are intentionally resting most starters in Week 18 to prioritize health and mental reset for the playoffs.
- That approach trades a small chance at the 2-seed for reduced injury risk and aligns with the organization's recent precedent.
Weigh Injuries Before Demanding Starters Play
- Consider organizational context and injury info before opposing the decision to rest starters.
- If key linemen or veterans are playing through issues, sitting them can be the prudent choice.
History Shapes Philly's Week-18 Playbook
- Eagles history shows they value a bye-like reset entering the postseason, which influenced this choice.
- Past Super Bowl runs came after rest periods, reinforcing organizational belief in the benefit.
