An upset from the Packers over the Vikings at Lambeau Field on Saturday night spells bad news for fantasy football owners who are relying on Eagles players to help in winning their league championships this weekend.
That’s because the Eagles clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a Vikes’ loss, and that would mean Philadelphia coach Doug Pederson would probably rest some of his key players during Sunday’s home game against the Raiders.
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A Packers win Saturday seems unlikely. Green Bay was eliminated from playoff contention after a loss to the Panthers last Sunday coupled with the Falcons' win at the Bucs on Monday night. Aaron Rodgers is back on injured reserve, and with Brett Hundley under center, the Packers are 8.5-point underdogs vs. Minnesota.
Still, crazier things have happened.
While Philly QB Nick Foles, who has stepped in for the injured Carson Wentz, is the hottest waiver-wire pick up in fantasy this week, his prospects would cool considerably with a Vikes’ loss. Per NBC Philadelphia, we’ll likely see a mix of Foles and Nate Sudfeld should the Eagles already have home-field locked up before they take the field against Oakland.
“Ideally, yeah, you'd like to get him some time and some reps here in the next couple of ballgames," Pederson said of Sudfeld.
Pederson figures to be protective of some of his other offensive assets, as well, including fantasy stalwarts wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and tight end Zach Ertz.
“You just make the best decisions for your football team,” Pederson said. “And if that means resting a guy, you rest a guy, or two or three. But you also have to maintain the edge with these players and you’ve got to maintain that confidence and that dominating swagger and you’ve got to keep that alive.
... Guys are still going to have to play, but at the same time, I'm going to be smart about the decisions we make moving forward and getting guys who need it rest, if possible.”
A home game against the Raiders looks like an excellent matchup for Philly’s offensive players – if the Eagles need the win, that is. But under the spectre of a Minnesota loss, Pederson's words sound ominous, and fantasy owners should be prepared for the possibility.