Eagles running back LeSean McCoy says the Eagles are built for the playoffs in advance of Saturday night's Eagles-Saints NFC wild card game.
There seems to be a simple equation to winning in the NFL playoffs in recent years.
Being able to run the football.
Getting dynamic and consistent quarterback play.
Having a solid defense.
Getting hot at the right time.
The Eagles seem to have all of those bases covered as they enter Saturday night's NFC wild card game against the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field.
LeSean McCoy is the league's rushing champion, Nick Foles is the league's most efficient passer, the Eagles have held opponents to 21 points or fewer in 10 of the final 12 games of the season and enter the playoffs having won seven of their final eight games.
Look no further than McCoy for affirmation that opponents on this side of the bracket aren't exactly licking their lips in anticipation of playing the Eagles.
“We’re made for the playoffs,” he said. “Everybody is so excited for us to be here, but we should be here. They’re excited about us being division champs, but I think we should be.
“We prepared hard and have so much talent on this team. We’re prepared to win this game. The Saints are a good team for sure, but the guys in this locker room, we want to get the job done.”
In spite of winning the rushing title this season, McCoy understands that it is playoff success and not individual regular season accolades or division championships that author your legacy, all-time single-season leading rusher and single season scrimmage yard leader notwithstanding.
“There were a ton of great backs that didn’t win Super Bowls,” McCoy said Wednesday. “But as a team and a player, you want to win games, go to the playoffs and have success as a team.
“The playoffs are hard to get to, hard to stay, there is no tomorrow.”
The conversation about who sits atop the list of great running backs in this franchise's history typically begins with Steve Van Buren, Brian Westbrook, Wilbert Montgomery and McCoy. McCoy has yet to win a playoff game, which having success on the game's grandest stages would go a long way towards not only solidifying his place in team history, but also in carrying this franchise to heights not seen since 1960.
“I want to make more of my opportunities.”
Being a team on the rise may be the most critical of variables in the equation of playoff success. Being hot at the right time could mean enough momentum to carry you through the tournament and from McCoy's perspective, continue to etch out his legacy this season.
“We’re hot right now,” McCoy said. “I think we’re real hot. A lot of it is playing hard and preparing hard and there is a little bit of luck. Whatever we play in, rain, snow, whatever, we are going to execute the game plan and fire on all angles."
Matt Lombardo is the Editor-In-Chief of Eagledelphia and also an on-air personality on 97.5 FM The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow Matt on Twitter.
