We've made it all the way to Week 18 and a regular-season finale that carries with it some oomph. The Eagles stand to gain on this Sunday – a win over Washington and a Detroit win at Chicago bumps Philadelphia from No. 3 to No. 2 in the playoff picture, gives them 12 wins for the regular season, and a sweep of the Commanders in a span of three weeks.
The team also hopes to benefit from a week during which many of the regular starters won't play and instead will use the extra time off the practice field and on the sidelines on Sunday to rejuvenate for the upcoming postseason.
So, this game is one with a twist that we saw last year when the Eagles rested many of their starting players and came up with a Week 18 win over the New York Giants. The Eagles are playing to win on Sunday; they're just doing it with many of their reserve players taking starting roles.
With that, here are some storylines to follow as the Eagles end the regular season at Lincoln Financial Field (4:25 p.m., CBS) …
1. Tanner McKee gets the start at quarterback
In Week 18 last season, McKee completed 27-of-41 passes for 269 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the 20-13 win over New York. McKee has thrown three passes this season, completing all three of his throws in 26 offensive reps. This game is his, so it is going to be fun to see what Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo has in mind with the approach against a Washington defense that they faced a few weeks ago. It will be a good opportunity for McKee to get some reps in a meaningful game.
2. A great evaluation for some backup WRs
It could be that both Darius Cooper and Jahan Dotson see substantial playing time and, with that, a lot of attention from McKee on Sunday. If so, it is a terrific chance for the Eagles to again see Dotson in a featured spot – just like Week 18 of last season when he caught seven passes for 94 yards. That game propelled Dotson into a strong playoff performance, during which he had three receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown, with two of those catches for 42 yards coming in the Super Bowl. And then there's Darius Cooper, who signed with the Eagles after the 2025 NFL Draft and then performed well throughout the summer to earn a roster spot. Cooper has played this regular season, and he has done a nice job blocking and catching the football when thrown to him. Now he could have a full game to show what he can do.
3. What kind of progress has the rookie class made?
Cooper is one of those rookies. So is Jihaad Campbell, who has played very well at linebacker. The Eagles, if they choose, could get an extended look at Drew Kendall playing center. Who else? Hopefully, we will see a lot of Ty Robinson at defensive tackle and Mac McWilliams at cornerback, Smael Mondon at linebacker, and even Cameron Williams, who was just activated from Injured Reserve, at offensive tackle.
4. Quality reps for depth on defense
There are going to be some starters on the field, and we are likely to see some of the younger veterans playing. But this is a day for the depth on defense, so focus on players like defensive tackles Byron Young and Robinson, Jeremiah Trotter Jr. at linebacker, Sydney Brown at safety, Jakorian Bennett at cornerback, and others.
5. This is still an NFC East rivalry, so be ready
Washington expressed its displeasure after the first meeting between the teams after the Eagles converted a two-point conversion, so there is even less love lost between these squads. Washington is going to be playing a lot of its reserves and remember, this is a showcase for every player on the field to put something on tape for every team in the league to consider.
6. What milestones are within reach?
Running back Tank Bigsby has 42 carries this season, but he's averaging a whopping 6.4 yards per carry, so can he keep that number high with the potential of a high-volume day on Sunday? Saquon Barkley holds the franchise record for highest yards-per-carry average (5.8, set last season) in a single season, just to provide some perspective. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith is 44 yards away from a third 1,000-yard receiving season, so is there a way to get some balls to him early and then get him off the field if he's active? The defense is third in the NFL in points per game allowed (18.8), so would another incredible performance by this unit give the Eagles a chance to vault to the top in 2025? And this: The Eagles are first in the NFL in offensive red zone touchdown efficiency, scoring touchdowns on 70.7 percent of their trips inside the opposing 20-yard lines, and that's the best touchdown percentage the offense has had since at least the 2000 season.
