Were Green Bay and Washington Trying to Play Us?

[EaglesAddict]

I didn't see the games, but Washington pulled Jayden Daniels at halftime and the Packers said Love could have returned to the game but didn't.  It sure seemed like both teams didn't really have any "urgency" to win their game yesterday with both content to be the 7 seed and playing us.  

Maybe they felt their isn't much difference if they were the 6 or 7 seed.  But I would think any team would want to be the highest seed possible if in the off chance they can end up playing a home game in the conference championship.  Slim chance, obviously, but it is possible that the 6 seed could host the 7 seed.

[UK_EaglesFan89]

I think with Love he was genuinely hurt and perhaps they were just playing it safe? No need to risk him with a play off spot locked in right?

With Washington though yeah I think that was their way of saying "we don’t fear you Philly and we will come in to your building”. To pull Daniels when they were down seemed to be a bold move. Perhaps they figured it’s better to play a team they know well (and recently beat) than go in to Tampa or LA?

[EagleJoe8]

Clearly, Washington was trying to win. From what I heard from my supervisor who is a Commies fan, they were hitting Daniels hard and often so they decided to sit him. 

[Eagles_ftw]

The Eagles are the highest seed of the wildcard round, I don't think it's a stretch that teams wouldn't want to face the top seed of the round right out of the gate.

 

[brkmsn]

But it can be helpful for road teams to have a shorter travel distance --- especially in the winter where delays are a real possibility. Travel to Philly vs traveling to Tampa or LA ...

[NOTW]

While I personally think teams should be concerned playing the Eagles who are a hot team (even with backup QBs), I don't think these teams were playing for seeding to avoid us, or anyone. I think teams - just like the Eagles - are concerned with health, recovering from injury, rest and preparing for the playoffs. They play to win the game. But as someone said, if their starting QB was taking a pounding and they wanted to rest him, or someone has a nagging injury, teams will rest guys. Sometimes a WR or RB who has a lot of action will take a series or a couple plays off even in the regular season. These guys get beat up every week in a very physical game.

[EaglesAddict]

1 hour ago, brkmsn said:

But it can be helpful for road teams to have a shorter travel distance --- especially in the winter where delays are a real possibility. Travel to Philly vs traveling to Tampa or LA ...

I was thinking this too, especially for Washington.  

[EaglesAddict]

1 hour ago, Eagles_ftw said:

The Eagles are the highest seed of the wildcard round, I don't think it's a stretch that teams wouldn't want to face the top seed of the round right out of the gate.

 

That and wanting to just be the highest seed possible.  Yet, the 2 teams seemed content with losing and possibly playing us in round 1.

[EaglesAddict]

2 hours ago, EagleJoe8 said:

Clearly, Washington was trying to win. From what I heard from my supervisor who is a Commies fan, they were hitting Daniels hard and often so they decided to sit him. 

If that was the case, then it made sense to pull him.  If we were seeing Hurts getting hit a lot in the same scenario, we'd prob want to pull him too.

[Portyansky]

I dont think either team really cared and are just happy to be in the playoffs. 

[T-1000]

No

[EazyEaglez]

Honestly I don’t believe the Commies or the Packers fear the Eagles, but both know their chances are better with their starting quarterbacks than without them. 

[JohnB]

honestly I think either team would be glad to play us. Washy proved they can beat us, and GB probably thinks they can. They might also want a bit of revenge. Why go to a dome and play against a team that seems unbeatable when you can play in the elements against a team you think you have a chance to beat?