PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles get back to business Friday, and as the postseason draws closer, coach Nick Sirianni keeps circling back to establishing quality habits that he believes determine how teams play when the stakes rise. With the Eagles already locked into the postseason, the question of rest ing starters inevitably surfaced at NovaCare Complex on Wednesday. Sirianni said the staff discussed it thoroughly before deciding to keep its core players on the field. “You go through a lot of different processes, and you do what you think is best for the football team,” he said. “We think playing our guys is the best thing for our football team. But you think through everything.” That choice reflects a long-range view that prioritizes momentum and preparation over preservation. Sirianni emphasized the importance of stacking productive days — in practice, meetings and games — so the team is trending upward as January approaches. “This is a week that we have to get better, next week’s a week we have to get better,” he said. “So we’re trying to play our best football by the end of the season.” Having all but secured the No. 3 seed in the NFC, the Birds still have an outside shot at the two seed (and a far outside chance of falling, if they were to lose out). “Any time you step onto the football field, there’s an opportunity to get better,” Sirianni said. “I don’t care who you’re playing, what their record is. Everybody in the NFL is capable of beating anybody in the NFL, and that’s what makes the league so great.” The Bills are still jockeying for seeding in the AFC, so this game will be a strong late-season test for both teams. Offensively, Sirianni believes the Eagles are beginning to realize the balance they envisioned earlier in the year. After stretches of inconsistency, the ability to move the ball both on the ground and through the air has opened more of the playbook. “There are certain runs that set up play actions and there are passes that get them to do different things on defense that help with runs,” he said. “Any time you’re balanced and you’re able to attack multiple ways, that’s huge. We’ve always felt like we could do that. We’re starting to hit our stride and look to build upon that.” That balance also shows up defensively, particularly against a Bills offense that features quarterback-run elements with Josh Allen and a plus-one run game (an extra blocker). Sirianni said repeated exposure to those concepts — even in practice settings — pays dividends. “The more times you have to defend those types of runs, the more experience you get,” he said. “Our defense has gotten experience through competitive periods, through training camp, through OTAs, with things like that. So yeah, I think there’s always a benefit to that.” Individually, Sirianni praised rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell for maintaining a professional approach despite a reduced role over the last couple of months. He’s likely to see his role expand again, with Nakobe Dean nursing a hamstring injury. “Every day coming to work, working his butt off, preparing as if he was playing the whole game, half the game, couple plays in the game,” Sirianni said of Campbell. “Just consistency with that, his work ethic and how he goes about his day.” Campbell’s personality, Sirianni added, has made him a valued presence in the building. “I think he’s a guy that guys genuinely like to be around and coaches genuinely like to be around,” he said. “I just love the way he goes about his everyday work and I see him continuing to get better.” In the secondary, Sirianni expressed excitement over the recognition earned by cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and nickel corner Cooper DeJean, who were selected to the Pro Bowl in their second seasons. “That’s a high-quality position that is valued for many teams,” he said. “They’ve made a lot of plays through their first two years. We look for them to continue to do that. They’re both guys that come to work every day looking to get better.” Sharing such news with players, Sirianni said, is one of the best parts of the job. “Any time you get an opportunity to be able to share good news with them, that that’s always a good thing,” he said. • • • Wednesday practice report: DNP – WR A.J. Brown (teeth), LB Nakobe Dean (hamstring), LG Landon Dickerson (illness), RT Lane Johnson (foot). FULL – LB Zack Baun (hand), LB Jihaad Campbell (back/ankle), DT Jalen Carter (shoulders), T Fred Johnson (calf), TE Cameron Latu (stinger), WR DeVonta Smith (illness), T Cameron Williams (shoulder). — Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc for the latest updates. ...read more read less