Wake Up Philly: Where Is The Eagles Playoff Hype?

Come on, guys. Where is the Eagles playoff run hype?

The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday, January 15, 2024, at 8:15 pm. Usually, the city would be painted green. Fans would be chattering about how excited they are. But that is far from reality.

The Philadelphia Eagles are limping into the Super Wild Card weekend in 2024 at 11-6, losing 5 of their last 6 games. After a promising 10-1 start, the team experienced an utter collapse.

I understand how deflating that is. The way things were going at the start of the season, we were fighting for the #1 seed. Now we've been knocked all the way down to #5.

It's like the team rolled over and showed their bellies. Waved the white flag. Straight-up gave up. This collapse is different. 11-6 is not a horrible record, all things considered. But couldn't we have spread out those last 5 losses instead of packing them in at the end of the season?

One of them being the CARDINALS. Another being the GIANTS. Wow.

"If we can't win against the Niners in the regular season how will we beat them in the playoffs? That is if we even get that far."

"Yes, we beat the Bucs in Week 3, but that was a different team. This is a team that can't even win against the Cardinals."

"I hope we just lose so we can fire the coach."

I've seen negativity in this city, but never this bad. This is record-breaking stuff. The end-of-season losses kicked us in the gut and knocked the wind right out of our sails. It's an attitude that is shocking when we're talking about an 11-6 team. But I guess when it looks like a team has given up, we give up too.

This is what we need to put into perspective. We made the playoffs. That is exciting. Teams that have had collapses in the latter half of the season have gone on to win it all. The 2009 Saints and the 2012 Ravens are two examples.

The team could be "playing possum," as Chad Ochocinco put so eloquently. They clinched pretty early on. They may have thrown the last few games to get an "easier" route to the Super Bowl. They may be resting to come out and play their best in the playoffs. Not saying that's right, but providing some optimism.

The Bucs are 9-8. Realistically, we should beat them. Crush them, if you will.  So wear your green around the city. Chat about the Eagles. Feel a sense of optimism. Maybe even get the ol' Underdog mask out.

If you run a business, turn those lights green and decorate with all things Birds.

On Monday, make the pre-game appetizers and maybe even host a playoff party. Or, head out to a bar and join in with other fans. Our sister station, 97.5 The Fanatic is hosting a Birds Playoff Pregame Show & Watch Party on January 15. Head to Barnabys West Chester and get hype.

It's time to stop the doom and gloom and accept that it's still cool that The Eagles are in the playoffs. Celebrate and show pride as if they're on a historic Super Bowl run. Maybe it's what we all need. 

You may be looking for the top sports bars in Philadelphia to watch the Eagles play.

Sometimes it's not enough to spend your Sunday on the couch. Sometimes, when the team is good, you want to watch amongst many other rowdy Philly fans with a pitcher of beer in front of you. You want good food and drink, not made by you, for once.

That's what sports bars are for! Your kind surrounds you, each excited about the same thing at once. Jalen Hurts floats a pass 51 yards to A.J. Brown in the end zone. The entire bar goes wild. Jake Elliott attempts and MAKES a 61-yard field goal. The drinks start flowing if they weren't already. Big Play Slay intercepts the ball, running it back 30 yards for a game-winning Pick 6. The bar breaks out in the fight song, with a subsequent "E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!" chant.

It's not enough to celebrate those big plays at home sometimes. You want to be with other fans, cheering in a beautiful, harmonious collective. That's what being a Philadelphia fan is all about. So, have we sold you on watching games at a sports bar? Or, did you not even need to be sold?

Whatever the answer is, we know that now, you're likely enticed to find a sports bar where you can watch next Sunday's game. We have you covered. this is strictly based on my personal opinion, as well as deals I've taken advantage of! So here ya go...

This one is a no-brainer. Not only is it one of Philly’s oldest bars, it’s also a notable place to watch the game. There are plenty of TVs inside, including a high-definition projector. So, there’s really not a bad seat in the house at McGillin's. Fans can purchase an Eagles Super Mug for $5 and get $2 refills of Bud Light every game all season long; there are always additional specials, too.

Again, you knew this one. But we had to include it. I mean, even PLAYERS party at Xfinity Live! You gotta go for a game at least once in your lifetime as a Philly sports fan.

Don't count Cav's out. It fulfills a key requirement for game-day viewing: wherever you are, you can see a screen (and they’re high enough up that crowds at the bar won’t disturb your sightline). They have 24 TVs and an 11-foot-high media wall. Sunday goes big with five-can buckets ($20 for Bud Light), giveaways, and DJ entertainment during commercial breaks. Try the Go Birds Bloody Maria made with St. George’s green-chile vodka, house-made tomatillo mix, and garnished with celery, pickle, and jalapeño. You can even make game-day reservations on their website.

Around the corner from Mifflin Tavern, you'll find a shrine to the most iconic play in Birds history. The "Philly Philly" mural, complete with all the X’s and O’s that ended with Nick Foles waltzing into the end zone in Super Bowl LII, is a three-story reminder of the last time the Lombardi Trophy made its way down Broad Street. After paying your respects, walk around the corner to Mifflin Tavern, order the Fly Eagles Fly cocktail, and watch the game with hopes of a new mural soon.

This is a family-friendly spot, which is a rare find! Craft Hall is lined with TV screens for watching the game. The place is located inside a 35,000-square-foot warehouse, so there isn't a square foot in the joint where you can't see a TV. They have a massive pirate-ship playground, old-school Nintendo games, and tabletop shuffleboard. Game-day specials include the $60 Game Day Board that’s loaded with enough goodies for three to four people.

AMERICA! RAHHHH! (That was supposed to be an eagle screech...) Founding Fathers on South Street is named after the most notable part of Philadelphia's history. The fact that we basically birthed the whole dang country. So, if you're feeling hella patriotic and ready to watch The Birds dominate, head over to this game-day staple. With more than a dozen TVs lining the walls, and 20 different draft lines for a great beer selection, you'll have a good game day here. Their special Philly Mule adds Midori to the traditional ginger-lime drink.