As the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for their upcoming NFC Wild Card Weekend playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, players and coaches are experiencing a mix of excitement and focus at the NovaCare Complex. The organization, established in 1933, is known for its long history in professional football and its ability to attract fans both locally and nationally through games, media, and merchandise, as outlined on the official website.
Running back Saquon Barkley reflected on lessons from previous postseasons. “I think the vibes are great. They’ve been great all year, but when you get to the playoffs, it goes to another level,” Barkley said. “It’s probably my favorite part of playing football, outside of the Super Bowl. Win or go home. The speed increases. The plays matter more. The vibes are high and we’re excited for it and we know we’ve got a great opponent coming in and the mindset is just winning.
“The way you win in Game 1 is the same way you win in the playoffs, is the same way you win in the Championship Game, win in the Super Bowl. The vibes can be great, the chemistry between the two teams when the whistle blows – who is going to be more detailed, who is going to make more plays, who is going to score more touchdowns? That’s just how football is always going to be, no matter if it’s the playoffs or not. We did a really good job of that last year and we’ve just got to continue what we know.”
Placekicker Jake Elliott addressed concerns about weather conditions expected during Sunday’s game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia—a common factor for January matchups in this region. Elliott has worked closely with Tony Leonard, Vice President of Grounds for the team, testing new turf installed earlier this week.
“I’ve gotten a lot better through the years,” Elliott said about monitoring weather forecasts. “There is always something to consider, usually the wind. If there is something going on, I try to get over there and kick at what our game time would be and see what the conditions are going to be like.” He added: “It will be a tricky day, but I’ve seen it a bunch and you just have to play through it.”
Elliott also praised Leonard’s work: “He’s the best and the field is really great,” Elliott said. “That’s not a concern at all because Tony and his staff always do such a great job… It’s January and we’re outside in the Northeast. You get used to it after a while and I’m thankful to have been here for so long and I have become accustomed to this.”
Safety Marcus Epps emphasized that reaching this stage should not be taken for granted after his return from Las Vegas following Philadelphia’s run to Super Bowl LVII.
“Not at all,” Epps said about taking postseason opportunities seriously. “It’s hard to get to this point. You see 18 other teams not playing now and you understand it a whole lot better. This is just a winning culture, a great organization, and I’m glad to be part of it.
“It means a lot to be in this position. Nothing is promised to anyone in this league. We have high standards and high expectations here and we put in the work to reach those goals.” Epps added: “Everyone is focused and our demeanor is that we’re loose like we always are, but you can tell that it’s the playoffs… Playoffs are typically more intense and maybe a little bit more physical… We know that and we respect the 49ers…”
Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson described his first season with Philadelphia as one marked by personal growth alongside strong team camaraderie.
“I’m excited. Everybody is excited. We have a great vibe, like we’ve had all season,” Jackson said. “I think we’re appreciative of the position we’re in… My journey this year has been one that has given me a chance to get closer to my faith… I’ve kept my head down and I’ve just worked hard…”
Looking ahead at Sunday’s challenge against San Francisco—whose offense features running back Christian McCaffrey—Jackson noted past experiences facing McCaffrey since college days.
“Great player, does it all, and we all know that,” Jackson said about McCaffrey.
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