Nick Sirianni’s Sunday may not have had a great start as quarterback Jalen Hurts was downgraded to questionable for Monday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks as he deals with an illness. But by late afternoon, it still turned out to be a pretty good day for the Philadelphia Eagles coach.
The Eagles will go into their Monday Night Football matchup with the Seahawks at Lumen Field knowing that regardless of how the game plays out, they’ve already punched their ticket to the postseason. Prior to Week 15, we outlined nine scenarios that would allow the Eagles to clinch a postseason berth. Without diving back into the minutiae, the first two of those scenarios played out, allowing the Eagles to clinch a playoff spot for the third season in a row.
According to Zach Berman of PHLY, Sirianni is the only coach in Eagles history to guide the team to the postseason in each of his first three seasons on the job. For a franchise that’s employed the likes of Greasy Neale, Andy Reid and Doug Pederson, that’s a pretty impressive accomplishment.
The Eagles snuck into the postseason as a Wild Card representative in Sirianni’s first season, going 9-8 in 2021. Philadelphia followed that up by posting an NFL-best 14-3 record in 2022. Despite consecutive blowout losses, the Eagles will enter Monday’s matchup with the Seahawks with a 10-3 record.
Of course, in Sirianni’s third season on the job, the Eagles have higher goals than just appearing in the postseason.
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Given that the 11-3 San Francisco 49ers own the tiebreaker over them by virtue of a head-to-head win, the Eagles will need some assistance to clinch the No. 1 spot in the NFC, which comes with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
But as they attempt to become the first team to repeat as NFC East Champions in a generation, the Eagles got some help Sunday afternoon, as the Buffalo Bills throttled the Dallas Cowboys, dropping the division rivals to 10-4. If the Eagles are able to defeat the Seahawks Monday, they’ll be in tremendous position to win the NFC East, given that their remaining slate includes two games against the 5-9 New York Giants with a tilt against the 3-11 Arizona Cardinals sandwiched in between.
Obviously, it will be a much easier task to defeat the Seahawks if Hurts is indeed able to play. Also, a strong debut performance from Matt Patricia — who isn’t being called the defensive coordinator but has replaced Sean Desai as the playcaller on that side of the ball — wouldn’t hurt.
The Eagles are definitely in a strong position as they head into the final stretch of the regular season. The prospect of a third consecutive postseason appearance is certainly something worth celebrating, but for the Eagles and coach Sirianni, their sights are set much higher. The possibility of clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC is still within reach, although they will need some help from other teams in order to make it a reality.
Sirianni has made quite the impression on the Eagles organization. For him to guide the team to the postseason in each of his first three seasons is nothing short of impressive, especially considering the history of coaches who have come before him. With his leadership, the Eagles have been on the rise, putting up impressive records in the past few seasons. The team is clearly on an upward trajectory, and Sirianni is a significant part of that success.
As the Eagles look ahead to their matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, the uncertainty around Jalen Hurts’ status is concerning. Hurts has been a key player for Philadelphia, and his absence could be a significant challenge for the team. However, the Eagles have shown resilience in the face of adversity, and they’re determined to push forward, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
The recent victory of the Buffalo Bills over the Dallas Cowboys has given the Eagles a boost, as it has strengthened their position in the division. With only a few games left in the regular season, the Eagles are focused on finishing strong and securing their place as division champions. The momentum from their recent wins will be crucial as they prepare for the Seahawks and the following games against the New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals.
If the Eagles are able to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC, it would be a monumental achievement for the team and Coach Sirianni. It would solidify their status as a top contender and give them a significant advantage heading into the postseason. While the road to the top seed may not be easy, the Eagles have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with, and they are ready to take on whatever challenges come their way.
For the fans and the organization, the possibility of securing the No. 1 seed is an exciting prospect. It would mark a new era of success for the Eagles and would be a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the team. The support and enthusiasm of the fans have been instrumental in the Eagles’ journey, and they are eagerly awaiting the team’s next steps as they strive for greatness.
As the Eagles prepare for their showdown with the Seahawks, there is a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement. Every game is a step closer to their ultimate goal, and the team is determined to make the most of the opportunities they have. The resilience and determination of the players, combined with the leadership of Coach Sirianni, will be essential in helping the Eagles navigate the challenges that lie ahead.