Today’s Eagles game was not a white-knuckle event.
Ben Franklin, an adopted Philadelphian who presciently anticipated the psychology of the contemporary Philadelphia sports fan, said, “If you expect the worst, you will never be disappointed.” Perfect.
Just about every angst-ridden Eagles’ fan knew, from the moment the schedule came out, that today’s game in Kansas City was going to be a loss. The Chiefs’ demolition of New England last week cemented the expectations.
Therefore, it was with zero trepidation that I sat in my assigned place in the family room, on the couch. The only suspense was, like a Bond movie, watching how we were going to get to the inevitable outcome.
The Birds played fairly well in the first half and, on a fluke play, were one tackle away from having the lead at the half. I felt the stirrings of optimism, but the new kicker unsurprisingly missed a field goal that would have tied the game.
Phew. Reality check.
The Chiefs dominated the fourth quarter and led by 14 before a late Eagles score, and, OMG, they recovered an onside kick. One Hail Mary left. Could it be??? Aren’t we due for a miraculous game-ending…..
Nope.
It could be worse. Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird. The Philadelphia Turkies.
It would be interesting to hear 67,000 people at Lincoln Financial Field gobbling.
Or not.
A glutton for low expectations, I switched to the end of the Phillies’ game. They were in the process of losing 6-3 (the halftime score in the Eagles’ game) to the A’s.
At one point, a camera focused on a baby in the stands. Dad was obviously asking mom if the child needed a diaper change while holding the kid at arm’s length. Mom dutifully peeked inside the diaper and shook her head.
The life of a Philadelphia sports fan.
The Q-View 