By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
It has been 13 years since the Eagles hosted the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field, a game they won over the Atlanta Falcons to secure a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX.
Will the Eagles once again find success at home?
The Eagles and Minnesota Vikings are just hours away from kicking off the NFC Championship, with a spot in Super LII on the line.
Here are some final thoughts on the game, as well as some bold predictions:
Nick Foles
Matt Rourke | AP PHOTO
FOLES MIGHT BE SET FOR BIG GAME
It isn't the quarterback that fans want to be playing for them on Sunday (that title belongs to Carson Wentz), but Nick Foles seems set to surprise a lot of people. The last time Foles had a full week of regular practice as the starting quarterback, with a bye week, Christmas or a meaningless game to worry about, he threw four touchdowns in a win over the Giants.
Asking Foles to throw four touchdowns might be too much, but coming off of an excellent week of practice and his best half of football against the Atlanta Falcons, don't be surprised to see Foles have a big game against the Vikings.
Denver Broncos v Philadelphia Eagle
Michael Perez | AP PHOTO
EAGLES HAVE THE BETTER DEFENSE
The Vikings had the No. 1 defense in the NFL during the regular season, but the regular season ended three weeks ago. Heading into kickoff, the Eagles have a defense that is better at taking the ball away, better at pressuring the quarterback, better against the run and only allowed 10 points last week.
The Vikings defense is very good, but they give up seven more points on the road than they do at home. The Eagles should be the team being discussed as having the best defense, not the Vikings.
NFL: NFC Divisional Playoff-New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings
Mark J. Rebilas
KEENUM IS A WILD CARD
On one hand, the Eagles have no business letting Vikings quarterback Case Keenum keeping them out of a trip to the Super Bowl. Keenum is a backup, is playing on the road and was a miracle touchdown pass away from being bounced in his first career playoff game.
On the other hand, Keenum has had a pretty impressive year for the Vikings, and is a threat both with his arm and his legs. Keenum isn't afraid to take chances, and the Eagles need to make sure when he does, they make him pay instead of letting it turn into a big play against them.