C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s “Dream Chaser” necklace was back around Nick Sirianni’s neck as he spoke to his team.
The Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams 28–22 to progress to the NFC Championship Game and set themselves up for Round 3 against the upstart and division foe Washington Commanders next Sunday. Finally, they emerged from the snow and into the locker room to celebrate.
Amidst a boisterous crowd of about 70,000, they will be returning to Lincoln Financial Field and might make their second Super Bowl trip in three years.
They are perhaps the most complete team remaining in the whole bracket and the top seed on the NFC side of the playoff round.
In any case, the Eagles are far off from 2-2, all of the preseason skepticism, all of the demands for the coach’s dismissal (well, partly), and unquestionably the collapse that ended 2023 in a sting.
Additionally, Gardner-Johnson wanted to acknowledge that he had signed back in the offseason to play in his third consecutive NFC title game against Philadelphia, Detroit, and then Philadelphia.
“I told y’all at the beginning of the year: This s*** runs through Philly,” Gardner-Johnson said to reporters gathered around his locker following the Eagles’ most recent postseason victory (via Dave Uram of KYW). “I was simply being honest; I wasn’t being arrogant.
“I’m simply happy that we had the opportunity to help Coach Nick. Everyone talks about him, and everyone talks about this squad. I’m pleased for [DeVonta Smith], [A.J. Brown], and the offense in general. I’m thrilled for them because they have the opportunity to shut everyone up for good for the next two games.
But they haven’t arrived yet. They will continue to tackle Jayden Daniels and the Commanders on Sunday with a “one game at a time” philosophy before moving forward.
The Philadelphia Eagles are unquestionably much better than they were thanks to Saquon Barkley, Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Nolan Smith, the offensive line, all the other important players and unsung heroes who played a significant role throughout the season, and even Jalen Hurts, who makes it through despite his sometimes shaky appearance.
