Antonio Pierce Post Game Comments
On whether the team has now officially taken Philadelphia and Dallas out of the divisional race:
“No, it’s still early in the season. Obviously, like we always say, those teams are ‘sexy’ picks — they have a lot of good players, good coaching, [and] great organizations. We’re okay with going under the radar. It’s only November. Hopefully [in] December [and] January, everybody will be talking about the Giants, and that’s what’s most important to us.”
On whether he really considers it so early in the season with his team at 8-1:
“Yeah, we’ve got seven games left. A lot of things can change. You never know. We’re going to knock on wood that we stay healthy. Keep that chip and that positive reinforcement attitude that we play with and keep it going. Obviously with seven games left, we haven’t done [anything]. I don’t see [an] asterisk by our names saying we won the division. Until we win the division and hopefully get a first-round bye and other things we want to accomplish, then we’re not satisfied.”
On whether he felt this game came down to coach’s challenges:
“The referees made some good calls tonight. We had to challenge some plays and do things that we needed to do — same thing with the Eagles. There were some close calls out there. It’s tough to officiate a game like that. When a ball’s coming loose on the goal line, or you don’t know if the quarterback passes…the game happens too fast. That’s the same thing the players try to say when you make a big hit. You’re never going to be right, you’re never going to be wrong — good thing for replay.”
On the confidence level of this team right now:
“Obviously we’re feeling good. We’re 3-0 in the division, 8-1 overall, [and] we’re healthy for the most part. Like I said, we’ve got a lot of football left. We’re not satisfied until we win this division, and keep going on forward, and hopefully be ready to go into the playoffs with a head of steam. We’re feeling good, obviously, about ourselves, but this is the NFL, and everybody knows you have to play 16 full games, and then those other games in the playoffs and the Super Bowl to really show what you’re about.”
On his ability to see LB Chase Blackburn’s defensive stop on 4th down that sealed the victory:
“I was out there playing. I hit the fullback. If I’m just standing there, I won’t be here tomorrow. We had a blitz where me and Chase had the backs, [and tried] to bring pressure off the edge so they didn’t have anywhere to bounce it out to. They brought it back to Chase. Chase did a good job penetrating. [I’m] pretty sure our [defensive] line got after those guys up front and penetrated to make sure that ball didn’t bounce or cut back, especially against a tough back like [RB Brian] Westbrook. There was one play out there where it looked like we tackled him three or four times, [but] he was still running. A lot of credit to him, a lot of respect for him, but Chase made a hell of a play.”
On making tough plays like that seem so routine:
“We were 11-1 last year on the road, so playing on the road is fun for this team. We love it. That atmosphere tonight is what you want. That was a playoff atmosphere. You can’t get [any] better than that. Sunday Night Football, national audience, 4th-and-1 to make a stop and get your team a victory…this team played in the Super Bowl last year, we played in four big games last year back-to-back-to-back. There’s nothing that really fazes this team anymore. Before, I don’t think I could’ve said that to you. I thought that we didn’t play well in big games. Now, any occasion, we raise up and guys play well.”
On his thoughts regarding the NFC East:
“I think we need one or two more games to get that division, but we do have a good lead. I think the Eagles are 0-3 [against the division.] I think the only other team that has a winning record is the Redskins in our division. We do play them again — like I said we have three games left. When I was asked earlier this season about being undefeated, I said I want to be 6-0 in this division. I know if we’re 6-0 in this division that we’re playoff-ready, and we’ll be able to compete in the playoffs.”
