Philly-Philly? Don’t bet against it
The Eagles, no strangers to difficult paths, have been given the most rockstrewn of all as they begin their postseason attempt to repeat as NFL champions.
The odds are not with them, but so what? Being underdogs again despite their gleaming trophy was the real “new normal” this season as they fought through the standard Super Bowl hangover, a demolition derby’s worth of dents and dings, and ultimately the loss once again of their franchise quarterback. This team laughs at long odds, or at least stifles a chuckle.
“Every game has almost been a mustwin for us the past six weeks, and we won five of them,” tight end Zach Ertz said. “Obviously we’d love to have a bye week like we did last year, but we’re excited for the opportunity we have.”
They didn’t flinch in mid-November when a rump-roasting in New Orleans left them at 4-6, and they didn’t change course when Carson Wentz was lost to a fractured vertebra following a disheartening loss at Dallas three weeks later. Even last Sunday, when the odds against making the playoffs were still 3-1 against them, they went to FedEx Field with a swagger. In the hallway outside their locker room as they blasted music and danced following the outcomes that punched their ticket, the Redskins marching band trooped through the celebration.
“Man, they came in here today partying,” one trombone player said to another.
The Eagles might not win their wildcard round playoff Sunday against the Bears at Soldier Field, but it won’t be because they are overwhelmed by the moment. They will go in partying once again.
“It’s a one-game season,” quarterback Nick Foles said, “but that’s how it’s been for us for the last several weeks. We had to win to stay alive.”
Once again, as was the case a year ago when Foles replaced an injured Carson Wentz, he is the most improbable part of the tale as the Eagles try to make it back to the Super Bowl with a journey that will require three road wins.
Since the NFL went to a wild-card format more than 40 years ago, only four teams have survived that path: the 1985 Patriots, the 2005 Steelers, the 2007 Giants and the 2010 Packers.
All four had better records than the 9-7 Eagles. Of course, none of those teams was defending champion and had the Super Bowl MVP as their quarterback.
“It’s a unique situation every time I wear this jersey now. I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Foles said. “I’m aware of it and it means a lot to me to wear this jersey and be a part of this team. The only thing I know is I get to wear it one more time on game day. That’s what we’re preparing for and we’ll see what happens.”
Because Wentz is still the future of the franchise at the position, and because Foles is slated to make $20 million next season unless the Eagles opt out, the odds are that Foles’ tenure with the team will end for a second time with the next loss. It’s a weird situation, given what happened last season and what has happened this season, but it is reality.
“We all feel that,” receiver Alshon Jeffery said. “We know this locker room will never be the same next year.”
So perhaps Sunday is it, as Foles and the Eagles try their luck against one of the best defenses in the league.
The quarterback enters with the highest postseason passer rating — 113.2 — in NFL history. In consecutive weeks to end the regular season, Foles set a team singlegame record with 471 passing yards, then completed 25 straight passes to tie a league record against the Redskins. In the postseason that included the Super Bowl win, Foles completed 72.6 percent of his passes, another league record. The guys in the next three spots on that list are named Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Drew Brees. You tell me: What isn’t possible?
As an added bonus to this season’s drama, Foles has been smacked in the ribs so hard in the last two games he had to leave the field. The first time it was just for one play. Last Sunday he missed the final 10 snaps of the game.
How the Eagles end up this season will depend a lot on the laconic backup quarterback who just wants to keep playing in the uniform. It doesn’t make sense, but bet against them at your own peril.