Wake Up Philly: Where Is The Eagles Playoff Hype?
Come on, guys. Where is the Eagles playoff run hype?
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 8:15 pm. Usually, the city would be painted green. Fans would be chattering about how excited they are. But that is far from reality.
Cause For Lack Of Excitement
The Philadelphia Eagles are limping into the Super Wild Card weekend in 2024 at 11-6, losing 5 of their last 6 games. After a promising 10-1 start, the team experienced an utter collapse.
I understand how deflating that is. The way things were going at the start of the season, we were fighting for the #1 seed. Now we’ve been knocked all the way down to #5.
It’s like the team rolled over and showed their bellies. Waved the white flag. Straight-up gave up. This collapse is different. 11-6 is not a horrible record, all things considered. But couldn’t we have spread out those last 5 losses instead of packing them in at the end of the season?
One of them being the CARDINALS. Another being the GIANTS. Wow.
A City Deflated
“If we can’t win against the Niners in the regular season how will we beat them in the playoffs? That is if we even get that far.”
“Yes, we beat the Bucs in Week 3, but that was a different team. This is a team that can’t even win against the Cardinals.”
“I hope we just lose so we can fire the coach.”
I’ve seen negativity in this city, but never this bad. This is record-breaking stuff. The end-of-season losses kicked us in the gut and knocked the wind right out of our sails. It’s an attitude that is shocking when we’re talking about an 11-6 team. But I guess when it looks like a team has given up, we give up too.
There’s Still Hope
This is what we need to put into perspective. We made the playoffs. That is exciting. Teams that have had collapses in the latter half of the season have gone on to win it all. The 2009 Saints and the 2012 Ravens are two examples.
The team could be “playing possum,” as Chad Ochocinco put so eloquently. They clinched pretty early on. They may have thrown the last few games to get an “easier” route to the Super Bowl. They may be resting to come out and play their best in the playoffs. Not saying that’s right, but providing some optimism.
So Let’s Get Hype
The Bucs are 9-8. Realistically, we should beat them. Crush them, if you will. So wear your green around the city. Chat about the Eagles. Feel a sense of optimism. Maybe even get the ol’ Underdog mask out.
If you run a business, turn those lights green and decorate with all things Birds.
On Monday, make the pre-game appetizers and maybe even host a playoff party. Or, head out to a bar and join in with other fans. 97.5 The Fanatic is hosting a Birds Playoff Pregame Show & Watch Party on January 15. Head to Barnabys West Chester and get hype.
It’s time to stop the doom and gloom and accept that it’s still cool that The Eagles are in the playoffs. Celebrate and show pride as if they’re on a historic Super Bowl run. Maybe it’s what we all need.
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