Eagles have reportedly made controversial decision about Week 18

The Philadelphia Eagles have a chance to secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs if things fall their way in the final week of the regular season, but it does not sound like they are overly concerned about that.

The Eagles would secure the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday and a Chicago Bears' loss to the Detroit Lions. If Philadelphia loses and/or the Bears win, the Eagles would be the No. 3 seed.

On Wednesday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Eagles are expected to rest quarterback Jalen Hurts and most of their other starters in Sunday's game against Washington.

Nick Sirianni says he has not made a decision

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was asked on Monday about potentially resting starters in Week 18 with his team no longer in contention for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. He said there are benefits to both having players rest and fighting for the highest seed possible.

"We’ve done it both ways. We’ve had opportunities to rest, we've had opportunities to get a better seed and played. You go through your process, you go through all those different things, but every season is a little bit different," Sirianni said, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "Every team is a little bit different. We’ll end up doing what we think is best for the team.

"We’re still thinking through it. That’s not a decision we have to make today or even tomorrow. It’s just something you have to go through the process of making. We’ll do what we feel is best for the team. I know there will be debate about whatever we do, but that’s why we have to go through our process and do what we feel is best to help our team moving forward.”

The No. 2 seed is guaranteed at least two home playoff games, whereas the No. 3 seed is only guaranteed to host in the Wild Card round. That is what Sirianni and the Eagles are weighing as they head into their final game of the regular season.

Eagles stars might benefit from rest

The Eagles are coming off a hard-fought 13-12 win over the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. Hurts, star running back Saquon Barkley and a few other key players were banged up during that game, though they did not appear to suffer significant injuries.

Sirianni will be questioned regardless of which decision he makes. He knows there is a decent chance the Bears could beat the Lions anyway, which would render the Eagles' result meaningless. Both games are in the late window on Sunday, however, so the result will not be known before Philadelphia's game against the Commanders kicks off.