The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their worst loss of their NFL season in Week 17 against the Arizona Cardinals. A tight victory over the New York Giants didn’t inspire too much hope, and the team responded with the worst loss of the Nick Sirianni era. The Eagles hope to have key starters like Zach Cunningham back on the field in Week 18 for the final game of the regular season.
Eagles Facing Adversity
It wasn’t pretty at Lincoln Financial Field on New Year’s Eve. The Eagles are reeling with four losses in five games. The optimism of a 10-1 team has disappeared quickly.
Nobody can confidently say the Eagles have any momentum heading into the playoffs. They have struggled with the same weaknesses throughout the 2023 season, and their recent opponents have exposed their flaws brutally.
A.J. Brown spoke confidently about the direction of the team on Wednesday. He insisted that the team still believes in Sirianni, the rest of the coaching staff, and each other. However, his words carry no weight until the fans see the Eagles improve their performance on the field.
Projected Philadelphia Eagles Week 18 Starters
Darius Slay will likely miss his fourth consecutive game after an arthroscopic knee surgery. Kelee Ringo was the primary fill-in on the outside for the injured Pro Bowl cornerback. Zach Cunningham was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. He should provide relief to a struggling defense that desperately needs it.
DeVonta Smith is nursing an ankle injury suffered in the fourth quarter against the Cardinals. The Eagles need him for a potential playoff run, and he’ll likely sit out Sunday.
Nick Sirianni will weigh the option of resting his starters against the Giants. The Dallas Cowboys can clinch the NFC East with a victory against the Washington Commanders. There’s a good chance the Eagles will not face any seeding consequences with a loss.
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesQuarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020D'Andre Swift
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty ImagesRunning Back, #0
University of Georgia
4th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Detroit Lions (April 2023)A.J. Brown
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)Julio Jones
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)Olamide Zaccheaus
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty ImagesWide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesTight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesLeft Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021Jason Kelce
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty ImagesCenter, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011Cam Jurgens
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesRight Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesLeft Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesDefensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018Fletcher Cox
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty ImagesDefensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesEdge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)Zach Cunningham
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)Shaquille Leonard
Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty ImagesLinebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)Kelee Ringo
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty ImagesCornerback, #22
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 4th Round (105th Overall) in 2023James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)Avonte Maddox
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty ImagesCornerback, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018Kevin Byard
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)Reed Blankenship
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesSafety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
