PHILADELPHIA − Eagles center Jason Kelce hasn’t forgotten the last time the Eagles entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, with home-field advantage up until the Super Bowl.
And the newer players can’t wait to experience that playoff atmosphere at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have had just one home playoff game since the Super Bowl season, when they fell 17-9 to the Seattle Seahawks in Jan. 2020.
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This season, the Eagles are the No. 1 seed for the first time since 2017 after posting a franchise-record 14 wins.
“Home-field advantage is big, especially at the Linc,” Kelce said. “I still have fond memories from some of the playoff games, like the Minnesota game (in the NFC championship game) and the environment. I’m excited to get out there in a couple weeks and play a playoff game.”
But fans who want to share in that environment better not delay. The Eagles announced that tickets for the Divisional Round will go on sale Tuesday at 10 a.m.
It’s very likely that they’ll be gone in a matter of minutes − and that’s coming from the Eagles.
“Due to the high demand, Eagles fans are encouraged to visit Ticketmaster as soon as they go on sale,” Eagles director of corporate communications Anthony Bonagura wrote in a press release. Tickets can only be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com. There is a four-ticket limit per household and all tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The game will be played either Saturday, Jan. 21 or Sunday, Jan. 22. The NFL will announce the official date and time after the Wildcard Round held this coming Saturday through Monday night.
The Eagles will play the worst remaining team among the No. 7 seed Seahawks, No. 6 New York Giants, No. 5 Dallas Cowboys or No. 4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Whoever the opponent, running back Miles Sanders expects a rude welcome from Philly fans.
“It’s going to be loud,” he said. “A bunch of fans will show up and make it super difficult for the opposite team.”
If the Eagles win that game, they’ll host the NFC Championship game on Jan. 29. The winner of that game will go to the Super Bowl, to be held Feb. 12 in Glendale, Arizona.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.