Underdog Eagles wear dog masks after beating Falcons

The dog mask was resting atop defensive end Chris Long's head as members of the media were allowed into the Eagles' locker room.

"It's a German Shepherd," Long said. "Underdogs."

A few locker stalls down, Brandon Graham was pointing at various reporters, letting them know that he'd seen their predictions, paying no mind to whether or not said person actually had a said prediction in print.

"I'm just having fun," Graham said, laughing.

Right tackle Lane Johnson said he got the dog mask on Amazon and hid it in Jason Peters' jacket.

The Eagles, who beat the Atlanta Falcons, 15-10, Saturday, were three-point underdogs on their home field. The detractors following the season-ending injury to quarterback Carson Wentz never seemed to faze them, and by wearing the dog masks and having a little fun, maybe the doubters even motivated them.

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"Since that point," coach Doug Pederson said of the Wentz injury, "no one has given us a chance. Nobody has given us a chance. And I understand, Carson's a great player. but every week, our guys are hearing the same thing; that now we are all of a sudden not good enough. We're 13-3 and have the best record in football. We've got home-field advantage throughout.

"Listen, it really doesn't matter what you guys talk about because that locker room in there is united and I'll go to bat for every one of those guys and I'll go to war with every one of those guys in that dressing room."

"I think we heard it loud enough from enough people," safety Malcolm Jenkins said. "It was hard for us not to hear it. You know, all the stuff that was being said."

They'll probably hear it again soon. Against New Orleans or Minnesota, the Eagles are likely to be underdogs again next Sunday in the NFC Championship game.

"I'm glad they're not in charge of my finances," tight end Zach Ertz said of the oddsmakers.

Tickets on sale Tuesday

The Eagles announced shortly after the game that a limited number of tickets for the NFC Championship Game will go on sale Tuesday, January 16 at 10 a.m.

The Eagles will host the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, January 21 at 6:40 p.m. against Minnesota or New Orleans.

Tickets can only be purchased online at www.Ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000. General ticket prices range from $170 to $255 and standing room only tickets are $135. There is a four ticket limit per household and all tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Contact reporter Jeff Neiburg at (302) 983-6772, jneiburg@delawareonline.com or on Twitter @Jeff_Neiburg.