In a surprising turn of events, the Philadelphia Eagles are contemplating the possibility of sitting some or most of their starters in their Week 18 match-up against the New York Giants. Despite still having a slim chance at winning the division, Eagles' head coach Nick Sirianni is considering prioritizing rest for key players over going all-out for a victory.

The Eagles are in the playoffs, slated to be the No. 5 seed and most likely facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round. However, with the Dallas Cowboys potentially securing the division title, Philly's chances of securing the No. 2 seed are slim. This has led to an internal debate within the organization regarding the benefits of creating a self-imposed bye week by resting starters against the Giants.

Firstly, by forfeiting their opportunity to secure the NFC's top seed, the Eagles can effectively create their own bye week heading into the playoffs. Resting key players, especially those on the high-priced defensive line, who have been struggling for the past two months, could prove beneficial. Philadelphia's defensive line, particularly young tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter, has hit a rookie wall and appears fatigued. Giving them a week off to recharge could potentially rejuvenate their performance for the postseason.

Offensively, resting linemen like Lane Johnson and Jason Kelce would provide them with much-needed rest before the playoffs. Likewise, allowing wide receiver DeVonta Smith and quarterback Jalen Hurts to fully recover from injuries could bolster their chances in the postseason. Though the team may face backlash for potentially losing to the Giants with their backups, securing the No. 5 seed remains the most likely outcome regardless of whether the main starters play or not.

Taking a broader perspective, the coaching staff's struggles to find effective solutions to the team's woes may necessitate hitting the reset button. By focusing on game planning for the wild card round, specifically against the likely opponent, the Buccaneers, the coaching staff can avoid putting undue pressure on themselves to win against the Giants. This strategic decision could grant them the opportunity to regroup and devise alternative game plans to confuse opposing offenses.

Additionally, the Eagles' locker room dynamics have been under scrutiny. Reports suggest that the team was already experiencing discontent even before the recent three-game losing streak. Resting the starters could potentially allow the players to step back, watch their teammates in action, and regain some camaraderie. Encouraging mentorship between veterans and younger players could also infuse the team with renewed energy and positive vibes.

Ultimately, the decision to rest starters against the Giants is a calculated gamble for the struggling Eagles. While the desire to secure a higher seed and avoid a season-ending collapse is evident, the challenges faced by the team in recent weeks may necessitate a different approach. Only time will tell if this bold move pays off and enables the Philadelphia Eagles to defy expectations in the postseason.

In the meantime, all eyes will be on the Eagles' coaching staff as they navigate this crucial decision and prepare their team for the challenges that lie ahead.