PHILADELPHIA — After the Eagles clinched their second NFC East title in three years on Sunday, coach Nick Sirianni and his players didn’t want to go overboard with their emotions. The players did not smoke cigars or pop champagne to celebrate their 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field, their 13th win of the season.
Winning a division title and locking up the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs would be a big deal for most teams, but it wasn’t as meaningful to the Eagles because they’ve been in this position before and have bigger goals to accomplish this season. In February, the Eagles could make their second Super Bowl appearance in three years and win this time around.
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But the Eagles’ path to the Super Bowl this season won’t be easy.
The Eagles could have to beat the Green Bay Packers, the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions to earn a trip to New Orleans. In a potential NFC Championship game against the Lions or Vikings — the two teams fighting for the No. 1 seed in the NFC — Philadelphia would have to go on the road and win.
Starting on Monday, the Eagles will prepare for their season finale against the New York Giants and begin getting ready for the playoffs.
“It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it,” said Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season on Sunday. “But like I said, at the end of the day, you’re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ. I’m happy, it’s my first hat and T-shirt game. I didn’t even know that was a thing, to be honest. So, I’m happy to be part of that, and we did it as a team. But we all know what the goal is.”
In the offseason, the Eagles signed good players away from bad teams.
During his six-year tenure with the Giants, Barkley didn’t win an NFC East title and only won one playoff game in 2022. Two months from now, he could help the Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history and win the NFL MVP award.
Eagles offensive guard Mekhi Becton, who played the first four years of his career with the New York Jets, didn’t experience a lot of success before this season. From 2021-2022, Becton missed 33 out of 34 games with two knee injuries. He was labeled a bust and lost the trust of New York’s coaching staff. On top of his personal struggles, he also never made the playoffs while playing for the Jets.
In the locker room, Becton couldn’t hide his feelings as he reflected on everything he’s been through and how far he has come.
“You have to let them go through those emotions,” Eagles offensive Jordan Mailata said. “You just have to be present with them. Mekhi was really emotional. Obviously, you guys know Mekhi’s story. That was pretty special for us to be able to share that moment with him.
“You just have to let him feel it out. You just let him cry a little, be happy. Whatever it is, you just got to be there for him. Then, you have to remind him, ‘Hey, let’s enjoy this moment. But we got more to go for.’”
Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett made his first start in over a year against the Cowboys, replacing an injured Jalen Hurts.
In the third quarter, Pickett took a big hit from Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons and missed the remainder of the game. He played the first two quarters with broken ribs, an injury he suffered against the Commanders last week.
Pickett, an Ocean Township native, grew up rooting for the Eagles, so beating the Cowboys to win an NFC East title is something the 26-year-old will never forget.
“It’s special. It’s special, man,” Pickett said. “And I sit out there on the field, I’m sure there’s a kid dreaming about playing for the Eagles and doing things that we went out there and did today. It’s incredibly special. I had a lot of family here. … (My dad) is the one who took me to all the games, and we have great memories together. Watching (former Eagles quarterback) Donovan McNabb and (former Eagles running back) Brian Westbrook, back when I was really young. It’s pretty cool.”
Mailata said his teammates have approached each week with a business-like attitude, but he wants them to “celebrate the small victories” more. On Monday, they will lift weights and watch film to learn from their mistakes.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni told his team on Sunday night to stay focused on their goal of winning a Super Bowl. During his four-year tenure, he has made the playoffs every year, winning the division twice and making it twice as a wild-card team.
“It’s exciting. We always want to do special things. I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here,” Sirianni told reporters during his post-game press conference.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson, the rambunctious Eagles safety, was a big contributor on the 2022 Super Bowl team. He wants his younger teammates, including rookie cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, to understand the playoffs are tougher than the regular season.
“Truthfully, get your mind right,” Gardner-Johnson said. “This (expletive) is a roll coaster of emotion. You got to be able to be in the moment, be where your feet are and be able to breathe and understand that the air get a little thicker, fans get a little drunker, calls get a little harder and plays get made.”
Veterans like offensive tackle Lane Johnson, who turned 34 this year, are looking forward to getting some rest next week if Sirianni decides to rest his starters. Johnson might only play a few more years, so he’s going to enjoy every moment.
“A lot of people’s happiness depends on this game (against the Cowboys),” Johnson said. “You could feel it in the air, the electricity in the air. … We are fortunate. This stuff doesn’t happen every year. It’s hard. I’m just thankful for the ride.”
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