PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Eagles fans flocked to parking lots at and around Lincoln Financial Field early Saturday morning in anticipation of the Birds facing the New York Giants in the playoffs.
This is the first time the two teams are facing each other in the playoffs since 2000, and players and fans alike are excited and eager.
Fans like Eddie Clark from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania drove nearly three hours with his friends to tailgate. They picked up one of their friends from Orlando, Florida at the airport in the morning and arrived at the stadium with plenty of time to spare.
“It’s Eagles game day, ya gotta get there early,” he said.
Parking lots opened at 1:15 p.m. and, while some fans came with grills, food and alcohol to tailgate, Joanne and her husband from Hammonton, New Jersey, set up a minibar and brought an Eagles Super Bowl trophy ice sculpture.
Kevin from South Philly came in a bus to the tailgate and has about 10 spots reserved. At his setup, he has a bar, TV, tables and a grill. He expects about 175 people to join him.
Defensive End Brandon Graham says the game will be a tough fight but the only thing fans need to worry about is showing their support.
“We beat [the Giants] both times but at the end of the day, it don’t matter,” Graham said.
“What we did before that, we gotta go out there and prove it again. And it’s not gonna be easy because they know us just like we know them. It’s about executing and making sure you make your play when it comes to you. Don’t go reaching for other plays. If we keep that mindset and keep doing what we’ve been doing I'm not worried at all.”
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Running Back Miles Sanders said players have a different mindset in the postseason.
“Everything’s a little bit faster,” Sanders said. “You gotta think a little bit quicker. You gotta be a little bit more sharper. You’re going to get everybody’s best. Everybody’s got it in their heads that it’s either win or go home.”
The game starts at 8:15 p.m. Whoever wins will advance to the NFC Championship Game.