The second-seed Philadelphia Eagles are hosting the seventh-seed Green Bay Packers in a Wild Card showdown in the NFC playoff bracket of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
The Eagles have been one of the best teams in the league, securing a 14-3 overall record and an 8-1 record at Lincoln Financial Field. These two teams squared off in the season opener in Brazil, where the Eagles won 34-29.
They’ll look to do the same thing again on Sunday. Ahead of the matchup, the Eagles claimed safety Lewis Cine off the Buffalo Bills practice squad and added him to the active roster.
Cine was a 2022 first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings but had a tough time staying on the field. In his rookie season, he suffered a compound fracture to his leg and had to miss the season. Cine returned in 2023, logging just seven games for the Vikings.
He doesn’t have much playing experience in the league. Cine had 10 career defensive snaps with the Vikings and 134 career special team reps. This past August, he was cut by Minnesota before landing with the Bills.
Philadelphia’s safeties are healthy going into the postseason. However, this move could be confusing, but Cine went to the University of Georgia, a school we know GM Howie Roseman loves. Philadelphia’s roster already has Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, and Kelee Ringo. Now Cine joins the list right before the playoffs.
Injuries have played a major role in Cine’s lackluster start to his career but he has all the tools needed to be an effective player. Cine came into the league as a solid tackler with outstanding awareness and speed. Things haven’t worked out for the former Bulldog, but the Eagles like what he brings to the table.
Being around some of his former teammates could help get him back to the player he once was.
The Philadelphia Eagles have been one of the top teams in the NFL this season. Going into the last week of the regular season, they already clinched the NFC East title and will be the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
The Eagles are chasing another Super Bowl title but have some stiff competition in the postseason. Philadelphia will need to get through a combination of the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Los Angeles Rams, or Minnesota Vikings in the NFC.
In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers, or Los Angeles Chargers will be representing that conference in the Super Bowl.
The Eagles will need multiple players to step up and lead them to a championship. Here are five players who will carry Philadelphia to the Super Bowl.
1. Zack Baun, LB
This offseason, linebacker Zack Baun signed with the Eagles on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. Linebacker has been a problem area for this team for a couple of years and Baun came in and stabilized that unit immediately.
The Wisconsin product leads the team in total tackles (151) with 11 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and 3.5 sacks. According to PFF, Baun has a 90.1 overall grade (1st among 183 eligible linebackers) and a 91.7 coverage grade (1st among 183 eligible linebackers).
He continues to find his way around the football and be a consistent playmaker. Baun has eight games this season with double-digit tackles. As the weather gets colder, teams will look to run the ball more. Having an instinctive and active defender in the middle of the field goes a long way.
The fact that he can defend both running backs and tight ends well is an added bonus. Baun being a stout force at the second level will help the Eagles win the big game.
