Despite their recent struggles, the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles can still finish with the best record in the NFC East and claim the second seed in the conference if they defeat the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Washington Commanders this weekend.
The Giants have a 5-11 record and nothing to play for, which would make one think this should be almost an automatic win for Philly.
However, Philly will be a bit short-handed, as cornerback Darius Slay and wide receiver DeVonta Smith will not play, per Adam Schefter.
Eagles ruled out CB Darius Slay (knee) and WR DeVonta Smith (ankle) for Sunday’s regular-season finale vs. the Giants.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 5, 2024
Slay, who is in his 11th pro season out of Mississippi State University, continues to be a very effective corner for head coach Nick Sirianni.
Through 12 games, he had 14 passes defended, two interceptions, and one pick-six.
He wasn’t named to the Pro Bowl when rosters were announced on Wednesday, but he has made the Pro Bowl in five of the previous six years.
Smith has teamed with A.J. Brown to give the Eagles arguably the best duo of wideouts in the NFL this season.
He has 1,066 yards and seven touchdowns on 81 receptions through 16 games.
Philly has underperformed all season long, as they have lost four of their five games, including two key blowouts against the San Francisco 49ers and the Cowboys.
Even when they were 10-1, the warning signs were there, as they were barely beating inferior teams and often playing from behind.
Defense has been a problem for Philly — they enter Week 18 ranked near the bottom of the NFL in many key categories on that side of the football.
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