The Eagles completed a season sweep and captured the NFC East with a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The win gives Philadelphia the No. 2 seed and no shot at the No. 1 seed after the Vikings’ 27-25 victory over the Packers on Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota (14-2) will face Detroit (13-2) in Week 17 for the NFC North and a first-round bye.
The Eagles (2 seed) join the Chiefs (1), Bills (2), and Texans (4) as teams with nothing to gain or lose in Week 18.
The question now becomes, what will head coach Nick Sirianni and the team decide on potential rest and the pursuit of an NFL record? That scenario gives Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni something to ponder as he decides on Saquon Barkley chasing Eric Dickerson.
When asked about it on Monday, Philadelphia’s head coach was clearly still pondering the decision.
Nick Sirianni on playing #Eagles starters next week in meaningless season finale vs. the Giants:
“Still not there.” Said he hasn’t spoken to players yet because he gave them Monday off.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 30, 2024
Head Coach Nick Sirianni speaks with the media. #FlyEaglesFly https://t.co/WuW1rh2QFW
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 30, 2024
After gaining 167 yards on the ground against Dallas in Week 17, Barkley sits 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. Barkley would set the record, and it would be associated with Philadelphia and Jeffrey Lurie’s franchise for years to come, if not decades.
Still, the ultimate goal is the Super Bowl, and a Week 18 bye week for Eagles starters from a gameplay perspective could allow this team to be rested and fresh. Washington or Green Bay are likely headed to Lincoln Financial Field.