The Eagles’ 38-7 win over the Giants to advance to the NFC Championship came on the 5th anniversary of the 38-7 win over the Vikings that propelled the Eagles to the Super Bowl. Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was the defensive quality control/assistant defensive backs coach for Minnesota at the time, and the DC mentioned Tuesday how much the environment at the Linc affected the game.
“Yes, I thought the energy in the building was just phenomenal. Before kick-off when the game started and it’s a difficult place to play and it’s a big advantage for us.”
Gannon explained that the duel took place in the early years of the Vikings’ new stadium, so the team was used to a really good atmosphere. At the time, he didn’t think anything could be as electric as US Bank Stadium after the Minnesota Miracle, but when Gannon came to The Linc for the NFC Championship, he joked that it was that electric during warm-up, and he knew that it would be like that would be on another level.
“During the warm-ups, a guy I trained looked at me with a look in his eyes, like, whoa. HarrisonSmith. I said whoa back. You could feel the energy and it’s great. It’s one of the best atmospheres you’ll experience in the National Football League and as this is obviously the league game it’s amplified.”
And while he was on the losing side in that particular NFC Championship match, the environment was top-notch.
“Expect it to be electric in there. I was here for a final four game and it was electric, the best environment I’ve ever been in or been apart of and we’re excited.
Gannon said he jokes with Jeff Lurie and Howie Roseman about always wanting to be on a Philly team to play a playoff game at The Linc.
Heading into the big game against the 49ers, Gannon acknowledged that the environment and noise can be a factor in certain situations, but he doesn’t think that would affect a young QB like Brock Purdy any more than it would a veteran quarterback.