The cold breeze of the winter morning drifts between buildings. The wind plus shade can provide a bone chill. That plus rain makes for shivers.

But outside in the afternoon, clear skies and the light comfort of a January sun, and you’ve got yourself a great day for championship football in Philadelphia.

The thrillers of the faithful riding high city, a city ready to erupt. Hearts are pumping. Beers are flowing. The poles are greased.

Mistaken travelers in red and gold tried to desecrate the Rocky statue in favor of their quarterback, Baby Boy Brocky.

Funny thing is that we’re happy for their arrival, especially Brocky’s. There’s a D-Line full of hungry dogs that are excited to meet him. Record-setting, quarterback-sacking, trash-talkin’ DOGS ready to feast on him all day long. And yes, they growl, bark, and bite.

So you better not let us get a lead. Cuz these Birds on D swarm till you can’t breathe. Tight windows, hard hitters, and with 70,000 passionate fans who got their back and believe.

“Brocky” is a fun wrinkle to the real-life story of two teams that are chock full of gridiron gladiators. The field will have hall-of-fame potential all over it.

EAGLES

Damn-near certified: Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox

It’s possible if he keeps it up: AJ Brown, Darius Slay, Hasaan Reddick

Too young, but wildly talented: Jalen Hurts, Devonta Smith, Dallas Goedert

Let’s blackmail the voters and get him inducted: Brandon Graham

49ers

Damn-near certified: Trent Williams

It’s possible if he keeps it up: Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Fred Warner

It’s possible if he keeps it up (but still young): Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuel

Too young, but wildly talented: Dre Greenlaw, Hufanga

Probably not, but he’s a legend: Robbie Gould

Hall of Fame-Level gridiron gladiators, playing the most violent game of chess.

Both teams will be one another’s toughest tests, especially this late in the season. Besides a tough test to the Chiefs early on the year, I’d say the schedule strengths were nearly even. Regardless, the moment that football is kicked, the past means about as much as one single, fluttering, flying fuck.

It’s about every inch gained and lost in a grass field of 6,630 square yards, that amongst 22 men on the field at any given time in 60 minutes of game time that add up to one massive outcome. A result that produces elation and a giddy anxiousness for one fanbase as they embark on a trip to the Super Bowl, and a minimum 3 week depression for the other.

What we have in front of us is likely an all-time NFC Championship game right here in the Linc.

Philadelphia is a frenzy of football passion.

I love it.

Eagles by a touchdown.

Go Birds.