Eagles’ backups fail to deliver, but the bigger picture still favors Philly

Nick Sirianni knew exactly what he was risking when he chose to rest Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and most of the Eagles’ core with the No. 2 seed still technically on the table.

On Sunday, that risk showed up in real time. The backups did not get it done, the Washington Commanders stole a 24–17 win, and the Eagles officially locked themselves into the No. 3 seed.

Eagles Touchdowns vs Commanders:

McKee ➡️ Calcaterra for 6 pic.twitter.com/OmIEhkmifO

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 4, 2026

TOUCHDOWN. TANK. pic.twitter.com/Sgu5cA9zz4

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 4, 2026

In the moment it looks bad, but playoff seeding doesn’t matter

Tanner McKee and the second unit could not close the door against a Commanders team starting 39 year old Josh Johnson.

Washington erased a 17–10 deficit with a late touchdown pass and a short rushing score, and the Eagles had no answers without their stars on the field.

Add in the fact that Detroit beat Chicago, which would have pushed Philly up to the No. 2 seed with a win, and the frustration only grows.

This loss does not change what the Eagles are built to do.

Sirianni was honest afterward. He knew this outcome was possible. What he could guarantee was rest. What he could not guarantee was a win with backups.

For a team that has been to two of the last three Super Bowls and is defending a title, health matters more than seeding. Period.

The Eagles will now open the postseason at home against San Francisco, and yes, it would have been nice to lock in a second home playoff game.

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Does anyone in the NFC actually scare this team? Be honest. The answer is no.

This roster is designed for January football. Hurts will be back. Barkley will be fresh. A.J. Brown, Dallas Goedert, and the rest of the offense will be ready.

The defense has proven it can travel. If Philly has to win a road game or two to get back to the Super Bowl, so be it.

The hand wringing over the No. 2 seed is understandable, but it misses the larger point. The Eagles did not lose anything that truly matters on Sunday.

They traded a marginal seeding upgrade for a week of physical and mental recovery for their most important players.

That is a deal worth making every time.

The playoffs are about stars, health, and execution under pressure.

The Eagles still have all three. Bring on whoever wants it, wherever they want it. This team is built for the postseason, and when Hurts and company are back on the field, they will remind everyone why.

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