PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a significant matchup leading to the playoffs, the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) will face off against the New York Giants (3-13) on Sunday without key players Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts. This game marks an opportunity for the Eagles to rest their starters and focus on their postseason plans. Despite his impressive season, Barkley has lost his chance at the NFL season rushing record as he will not play in this final regular season game, settling instead for a title and home playoff game. He accumulated 2,005 rushing yards this season, a number that falls short of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards set in 1984. In a playful jab at the Giants, Barkley featured in a recent advertisement, stating, “I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping,” poking fun amid his transition to the Eagles after his free agency source.

While the Giants look to improve from a turbulent season, recently winning against the Indianapolis Colts 45-33, they have been plagued by injuries and inconsistency. Giants quarterback Drew Lock highlighted an ability to pass for four touchdowns against Indianapolis, but the team still faces daunting challenges against a strong Eagles defense source.

As the Eagles prepare for the upcoming playoffs, Coach Nick Sirianni has opted to allow Barkley time to recover, acknowledging the intention to treat the game against the Giants more like a “glorified preseason game.” With Jalen Hurts also expected to rest, rookie quarterback Tanner McKee is anticipated to take the lead in this game, hoping to showcase his skills after a solid performance against Dallas, where he threw two touchdown passes.

Looking at the overall season, Barkley achieved a remarkable entry into his new team, having previously accomplished a successful tenure with the Giants, rushing for a total of 5,211 yards during his time with them. Despite his departure, he remains grateful, stating, “At the end of the day, I’ve got nothing but love and respect for those guys" source.

For the Giants, they aim to build momentum ahead of next season, while the Eagles work to maintain their strong performance heading into the playoffs. As both teams prepare to take the field, one thing is clear: while records may be at stake, the real focus lies in setting the stage for a thrilling postseason.