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.

Offense
Jalen Hurts
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Quarterback, #1
Oklahoma University/University of Alabama
4th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (53rd overall) in 2020
D'Andre Swift
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

Running 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 Images

Wide Receiver, #11
Ole Miss
5th NFL season- Acquired in a trade from Tennessee Titans (April 2022)
Julio Jones
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Wide Receiver, #80
University of Alabama
13th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (October 2023)
Olamide Zaccheaus
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

Wide Receiver, #13
University of Virginia
5th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (April 2023)
Dallas Goedert
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Tight End, #88
South Dakota St.
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (48th overall) in 2018
Jordan Mailata
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Left Tackle, #68
Jeff Stoutland University
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 7th Round (233rd overall) in 2018
Landon Dickerson
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Left Guard, #69
University of Alabama
3rd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (37th overall) in 2021
Jason Kelce
Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Center, #62
University of Cincinnati
13th NFL Season- Drafted in 6th Round (191st overall) in 2011
Cam Jurgens
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Right Guard, #51
University of Nebraska
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 2nd Round (51st overall) in 2022
Lane Johnson
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Left Tackle, #69
Oklahoma University
11th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (4th overall) in 2013
Defense
Josh Sweat
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Defensive End, #94
Florida State
6th NFL Season- Drafted in 4th Round (130th overall) in 2018
Fletcher Cox
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Defensive Tackle, #91
Mississippi State
12th NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (12th overall) in 2012
Jordan Davis
Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images

Defensive Tackle, #90
University of Georgia
2nd NFL Season- Drafted in 1st Round (13th overall) in 2022
Haason Reddick
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Edge Rusher/Linebacker, #7
Temple University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (March 2022)
Zach Cunningham
Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Linebacker, #52
Vanderbilt University
7th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (August 2023)
Shaquille Leonard
Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Linebacker, #50
South Carolina St.
6th NFL Season, Signed in Free Agency (December 2023)
Kelee Ringo
Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

Cornerback, #22
University of Georgia
1st NFL Season, Drafted in 4th Round (105th Overall) in 2023
James Bradberry
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Cornerback, #24
University of Arkansas/Samford University
8th NFL Season- Signed in Free Agency (May 2022)
Avonte Maddox
Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

Cornerback, #29
University of Pittsburgh
Drafted in 4th Round (125th overall) in 2018
Kevin Byard
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Safety, #31
Middle Tennessee State
8th NFL Season, Acquired in trade from Tennessee Titans (October 2023)
Reed Blankenship
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Safety, #32
Middle Tennessee State
2nd NFL Season- Signed as Undrafted Free Agent (May 2022)
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