The Eagles will welcome Green Bay to the Linc for a late Sunday afternoon contest to open the Wild Card round of the league playoffs. It’s been a great ride for the Birds basically behind Saquon Barkley, and it’s Super Bowl or bust for most Philly fans.

Just don’t tell that to any Lions’ fans, especially after their dismantling of the Vikings Sunday night.

But have we all forgotten about what happened last season in one of the greatest collapses in team history and in the NFL?

In this week’s version of my Inside the Huddle column, I’ll take a brief look at the Eagles’ 2023 season, as well as activity around the league beginning their final stretch.

They Called It “The Streak” ... At this time last year, the Eagles were preparing for their Wild Card game in Tampa Bay after they had dropped a 27-10 decision to the Giants (yes, the Giants), losing their fifth out of their last six games.

The Eagles’ streak began when the 49ers’ Brock Prudy threw four touchdowns in a 42-19 rout, and Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion.

That followed with a 33-13 loss in Dallas, as the Birds lost three fumbles and didn’t recover from a 24-6 halftime deficit.

Against New York, then-Giant Barkley scored two first-half touchdowns in helping his team to a 20-0 halftime lead. Marcus Mariotta took over for Hurts and completed 17 of 20 passes for 148 yards, and rushed for 46 yards. Kenneth Gainwell ran for 62 yards on seven carries.

The Birds then flew flat in a 32-9 loss at Tampa in which Baker Mayfield threw three touchdowns, but was sacked four times.

The once 10-1 Eagles became the first team not to win 12 games and win its division after their start. The Eagles had gone 26-5 since the start of the 2022 season.

After the Tampa loss, there was plenty of speculation whether Hurts was the answer at quarterback, and head coach Nick Sirianni was also under fire.

Yet, the Birds dumped offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and defensive coordinators Matt Patricia and Sean Desai.

Fast forward to 2024 and Kellen Moore is in charge of the offense, and Vic Fangio is the defensive guru. Barkley found a new home, and Hurts found himself again.

History shouldn’t repeat itself this weekend.

South of the Border ... In case you forgot, the Eagles and Packers began the season in the NFL’s first game in Brazil. And it was on a Friday night.

Barkley began his 2,000-yard plus season with a 109-yard performance with two touchdowns and one receiving in the Eagles’ 34-29 victory. Hurts completed 20 of 34 for 278 yards with a pair of touchdowns

Readers Write ... Barkley Should Have Had A Chance

Dear Jeff,

First and foremost, I enjoy your columns every week. Thank you for supplying them.

In regards to Saquon Barkley and the rushing record, on a number of levels I think he should have the opportunity to break it.

While there is no guarantee the Eagles will get to the Super Bowl, there is also no guarantee Saquon will ever get this close again. A record like this is not only one for the individual, but for his family’s legacy for as long as it stands. I think he’s earned the right to at least try. And as you said, against the Giants, as poetic as it would have been, he could have done it in a half and rested.

Thanks again for all the great content.

Vince Vella

Kresgeville, PA

Did They Really? ... Through the years, there have been some recognizable players who have worn uniforms for both the Eagles and Packers.

Here are some that you have maybe forgotten (I know I did) that played for both (Packers years listed first): kicker Dean Dorsey (both in 1988), running back Dave Hampton (1969-71; 1976), wide receiver James Lofton (1978-86; 1993), center and Phillipsburg, NJew Jersey native Jim Rino (1953-63; 1964-67), running back and kick returner (also Channel 10 sportscaster) Vai Sikahema (1991; 1992-93), tight end John Spagnola (1989; 1979-87), tight end Keith Jackson (1995-96; 1988-91), wide receiver Antonio Freeman (1995-2001, 2003; 2002), quarterback Jack Concannon (1974; 1964-66), tackle Barrett Brooks (2002; 1995-98), and linebacker Lee Roy Caffey (1964-69; 1963).

Topping Off ... Here are my top five teams heading into the postseason:

1. Chiefs (15-2) - Ex-Eagle Carson Wentz completed 10 of 17 passes for 98 yards and was sacked four times in a 38-0 loss to Denver. If Denver beats Buffalo, it’s a rematch in KC with Bo Nix against Patrick Mahomes.

2. Lions (15-2) - They showed everyone they are a true Super Bowl contender with their dominant win over Minnesota. Great job by their defense, holding Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and T. J. Hokenson to a combined five catches with no touchdowns, and a constant pass rush on Sam Darnold.

3. Eagles (14-3) - No Barkley and many other regulars, but Tanner McKee may have won the backup job for next year. Will the Birds come out flying over the Packers?

4. Bills (13-4) - Bills are 8-0 at home, and snow showers and 30-degree weather are expected Sunday. Josh Allen took one snap against New England to extend his streak to 115 straight starts.

5. Vikings (14-3) - Darnold looked rattled, and Vikings never got on track. Still, this is a dangerous team, and will have a good matchup against the Rams.

Bottoming Out ... Here are my five worst teams heading into their offseason (worst to fifth worst).

1. Giants (3-14) - They kept GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll despite their 18-32-1 record over three seasons. They also have the third overall pick, and will likely miss Cam Ward and Shedore Sanders.

2. Patriots (4-13) - They won a game, but couldn’t save head coach Jerod Mayo. Backup quarterback Joe Milton III looked good in his 22 for 29, 241-yard performance, and could get a new address as a possible starter next season.

3. Titans (3-14) - Will Levis was back at quarterback, and they have the top overall pick. If they take Sanders, there’s talk of a trade with the Giants to have him play in the New York Market.

4. Browns (3-14) - They have the second overall pick, and much-maligned DeShaun Watson is expected to miss most of the 2025 season with an Achilles injury. Ward goes from sunny Miami to frigid Cleveland.

5. Jaguars (3-14) - As expected, head coach Doug Pederson got the boot. There’s plenty of talent there, but what coach will ignite it. Could it be Pete Carroll, returning to coaching on the Florida coast?

Matriculating Down the Field ... It was 50 years after the Eagles beat the Packers in the 1960 NFL championship, and a 2010 rematch was held at the Linc between Michael Vick and Aaron Rodgers on a bitter cold late afternoon.

Ironically, the two teams met in the season opener with the Packers pulling out a 27-21 victory — also at the Linc.

Aaron Rodgers, who completed 18 of 27 passes for 180 yards with three touchdowns, helped the Packers to a 14-0 lead in the second quarter.

But the Eagles rallied behind Vick, who ignited the team to two second-half touchdown drives, and had the Birds to within 21-16 in the final minute.

Vick, who was the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award winner, launched a ball down field to Riley Cooper in the end zone, but Green Bay’s Tramon Williams intercepted the pass to seal the victory. For the day, Vick was 28 of 36 for 292 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

But Green Bay running back James Starks, a rookie sixth-round pick, was the real Eagles’ killer that day, as he rushed for 123 yards on 27 carries.

Eagles’ kicker David Akers, who may have had his worst game as an Eagle, missed a pair of field goals (41 in the first and 34 in the fourth). It was later revealed that Akers may have struggled with staying focused, as his daughter faced surgery to remove a cancerous cyst.

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