Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Eagles Fall to Commanders, Enter Playoffs as No. 3 Seed

1/6/2026

49 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Eagles Suffer Setback

The Philadelphia Eagles fell 24-17 to the Washington Commanders after resting starters, costing them the NFC No. 2 seed.
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles prioritized player health over playoff positioning, and the backups struggled in the secondary.
DeVonta Smith surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season.
The Eagles enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed to face the San Francisco 49ers, who are dealing with injuries.

History

Historical Context

In 2011, the NFL implemented new player safety protocols amid rising concussion concerns, reshaping team strategies. The Philadelphia Eagles, led by head coach Nick Sirianni, chose to rest starters, prioritizing player health over playoff positioning. This shift reflects a broader trend in the league towards injury prevention, significantly influencing future player management practices.

1 of 2

Eagles Suffer Setback

The Philadelphia Eagles fell 24-17 to the Washington Commanders after resting starters, costing them the NFC No. 2 seed.
Head coach Nick Sirianni of the Philadelphia Eagles prioritized player health over playoff positioning, and the backups struggled in the secondary.
DeVonta Smith surpassed 1,000 receiving yards this season.
The Eagles enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed to face the San Francisco 49ers, who are dealing with injuries.

1 / 2