Eagles experienced, but facing more pressure
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be here. The Atlanta Falcons weren’t. Playing in the past three NFC championship games gives the Eagles a significant edge in big-game experience. Losing all three of those games puts all the pressure on Philadelphia to get to the Super Bowl for the first time in 24 years.
“We lost. It’s time to move on,” Eagles defensive tackle Corey Simon said Thursday. “Thinking about last year and the year before that will get you beat this week. We have to focus on this game.”
The Falcons, meanwhile, have far less to lose. A year ago, they were 5-11. Now they’re a victory away from the second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history; the other was in 1999.
“We’re just going to go up there and play loose and let it roll,” Falcons rookie coach Jim Mora said. “We don’t feel any pressure. It’s house money we’re gambling with. So we’re just going to go up there and fling it around and see if we can’t stay on the field with them for a little while.”
The Eagles are all too familiar with this position: playing at home, against an underdog from a city with a warmer climate, an opponent that has trouble winning on the road and in cold weather.
It could be downright freezing when the Eagles host the Falcons on Sunday afternoon, with forecasters calling for snow.
Last year, Carolina came to Philadelphia, ignored the elements and stunned the Eagles 14-3. Two years ago, Tampa Bay closed out Veterans Stadium with a 27-10 win.