a. the game could mean absolutely nothing because our beloved Eagles could stink and not have a chance at the playoffs.
b. the game could mean absolutely nothing because our beloved Eagles could be awesome and already have made the playoffs.
c. the game could be absolutely painful to watch because it is against Dallas and they have one million pro bowlers on their team and they are "America's team" (GAG).
d. the game could be a total joy to watch because regardless of the Eagles season, it is always fun to watch Dallas get beat.
We decided that we were going to risk it and keep the tickets. A few weeks ago this seemed like a terrible idea since it looked like the Eagles were out of the playoffs. We even looked online to see what we could possibly sell the tickets for.
It turns out that a Dallas loss definitely meant that the Cowboys were out of the playoffs and there was a slim chance that the Eagles would make the playoffs, but it required an unlikely chain of events: Oakland beating Tampa Bay (fat chance) and either Houston beating Chicago (not that likely) or the Giants beating the Vikings (Giants don't have much to play for since they are already in the playoffs). Well, it was pretty much a perfect day of football for Eagles fans.
As we were tailgating, there were people all over with satellite dishes and radios. There was a delay though so we would hear honking and cheering from six blocks away that would make it's way to us every time Oakland scored. They scored the first touchdown to go up 7-0 in the 2nd quarter (hurray), but Tampa tied it a few minutes later (booo). Oakland scored another touchdown at the end of the half to lead 14 to 7 (hurray). So halftime meant many drinks and celebrating in Philadelphia. Then Tampa started the 3rd quarter with a field goal and then a touchdown to go up 24 to 14 (booo). Things quieted down in Philadelphia and the drunken man next to us toasted to next season (with more Jagermeister. I don't see the appeal of it and they kept trying to get us to do them). But then...... Oakland scored a TD and was only down 24 to 21. Less than 3 minutes later they scored another touchdown to take the lead! Eeeeeeek!! They ended up winning 31 to 24. And Chicago lost to Houston 31 to 24. So it was all in the Eagles hands. It was either them or Dallas going to the playoffs.
And they did it!! They didn't just do it. They kicked Dallas' asses. 44 to 6. 44 to 6!!!! It was, by far, the best sporting event I have ever actually attended.
E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!! We were the third to last row of the stadium. We are thinking this is a good luck thing though. The first playoff series for the Phillies we sat in the third to last row and we all know how that ended.
You can't see the scoreboard since I forgot my camera and had to take pictures with my cell phone, but the scoreboards says
Philadelphia 44
Dallas 6
Woot woot!!!
On our way into the stadium. Brian Dawkins is Marty's favorite player (he forced 2 fumbles that were returned for scores in this game by the way). I bought Marty Dawkin's Clemson jersey for Valentine's Day last year. We've never really gotten much of a response when he wore it to local sports bars. Well, it was a huge hit at the game. All kinds of compliments, requests for where we bought it and two eager embraces from strangers with almost tearful "I love your jersey, man" 's. So my gift was a hit!
Ummm... This is towards the end of the game, aka taken on my camera phone after many many beers. There was no chance I was holding the camera steady.
Let's go Eagles!
No comments:
Post a Comment