PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Blunt? Yes.
Crass? It skirted the line.
Wrong? Not in the least.
After the Philadelphia Eagles dispatched the Green Bay Packers Sunday in the NFC Wild Card round, a shared refrain made its way around the home locker room at Lincoln Financial Field.
“I don’t give a f***,” said running back Saquon Barkley, when asked about the offense’s uneven outing in the 22-10 victory.
In summing up his thoughts about the Eagles’ next opponent in the playoffs, left tackle Jordan Mailata proclaimed he didn’t “give a f***” either.
“Our mindset as a team is ‘whoever’s next.’”
The following evening, the Eagles learned the Los Angeles Rams, a team they beat handily on the road in Week 12 of the regular season, will pay them a visit Sunday in the Divisional round.
Given the playoffs’ single-elimination stakes, the Eagles’ “IDGAF” mindset seems apropos.
“We got to be our biggest critic,” Barkley said. His 119-yard effort on the ground vs. Green Bay marked his 12th 100-yard rushing game in 17 appearances this year.
“We’re going to see what we can improve on, but at the end of the day, opinions are for [media]. The only thing that matters is we win, whether we throw for 400 yards, we rush for 400 yards, or win the game 3-0. I just want to win.”
The most inefficient phase of the Eagles’ performance Sunday was the passing game. After a smooth 6-for-6 start, quarterback Jalen Hurts struggled. His next eight attempts were incomplete.
While he finished the day 13-for-21 for 113 yards with a respectable 111.4 rating, the tape told a different story. Whether it was the rust from his two weeks off for a concussion or the effects of Green Bay’s defense, Hurts acknowledged he wasn’t himself.
“We know we’re capable of doing a number of different things, but we have to go out there and find our rhythm and ultimately execute.”
In the same breath, however, Hurts didn’t apologize for the offense’s lack of style points.
“It’s all about winning,” the 26-year old said during his postgame press conference. “That’s the only thing. It’s about finding ways to win.”
As has been the case all year, the Eagles’ defense once again led the way. The group held Green Bay nearly 70 yards (302) below its per-game average (370.8), and limited explosive plays, which had become the Packers’ calling card.
“When you got a defense playing like that,” said Hurts, “it always helps.”
It also just might be enough to keep the Eagles’ in the Super Bowl hunt, regardless of how long it takes Hurts and the offense to recapture the groove they established before he got hurt.
In a new edition of the unCovering the Birds podcast, host Jeff McLane, who covers the Eagles beat for The Philadelphia Inquirer, gives his assessment of the defense, from emerging edge rusher Nolan Smith Jr. to a secondary coming off one of its best showings.
Also, breakout rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean joins Jeff for a “Pick Six” interview, and shares how he and WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark got to know each other at the University of Iowa.
Plus, Jeff talks to defensive tackle Milton Williams and linebacker Zack Baun about the uncertain futures that await them and the rest of the Eagles’ unrestricted free agent class once the playoffs end.
00:00 The Eagles' “IDGAF” mindset
04:42 Defense shines vs. Packers
15:15 What’s next for Milton Williams, Zack Baun, and other free-agents-to-be?
23:03 “Pick Six” with Cooper DeJean
31:07 Previewing the Rams
unCovering the Birds is a production of The Philadelphia Inquirer and KYW Newsradio Original Podcasts. Look for new episodes each week during the regular season. Follow on the free Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts.