Finally! That is the one word that many people in the tri-state area were repeating after the Philadelphia Eagles monumental victory against the Atlanta Falcons last weekend.
The Birds ended their 24-year drought of not appearing in the Super Bowl with a 27-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. It was Philadelphiaʼs fourth consecutive NFC Championship game, but the first one in which they came out on top. They will face the New England Patriots, who defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 41-27 in Super Bowl XXXIX, ending many peopleʼs hope of an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl.
Interestingly enough, the Eagles won by the same score that they lost by in their last Super Bowl appearance to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XV. Many people believe that this is an indication that this time around, the Eagles will be hoisting the Vince Lombardi trophy in triumph. “This is our year to win it all,” stated Jason Brennan, a senior here at West Chester University.
“The final score of the game is just another sign that this is the Birdsʼ year to bring a championship back home to Philly.” The last time the Eagles won a NFL championship was 45 years ago in 1960 when they defeated Green Bay in a 17-13 victory at Franklin Field, where the Eagles used to play their home games before they moved to Veterans Stadium in 1971.
The first official Super Bowl wasnʼt even played until 1967. Another senior, Keith Baldassano, who is a devoted Eagles fan, has no doubt in his mind that this is the year. “Iʼve been a Eagles fan since I was eight years old and I finally get my chance to watch my team in the Super Bowl. With the way the defense has been playing all year long and the offense consistently putting points on the board, Iʼm positive that the Birds will win even without T.O.”
Terrell Owens had continuously put up big numbers all year until he suffered a severe ankle injury in the December 19 game against the Dallas Cowboys. Owensʼ status for the Super Bowl is still undetermined at this time, but his doctor said that he would not clear Owens to play in the game because of liability reasons.
With or without Owens, the Eagles are going to have a tough time beating a New England team, which is going for their third NFL championship in the last four years.