New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence has gone viral for the second time this week ahead of Saturday's playoff game at the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.
"Gritty, hard nose," Lawrence said Tuesday about the atmosphere he and his teammates expect to face at Lincoln Financial Field, per the Giants' website. "I told my mom she can't come to the game because she'll go back at them. It should be fun and I'm excited."
Dexter Lawrence told his mom that she can't attend the game in Philadelphia because she'd "go back at [Eagles fans]" pic.twitter.com/0uERtUc5n5
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) January 17, 2023
While Lawrence could joke on Tuesday after he was left "p----- off" by the controversial roughing the passer penalty he received late in this past Sunday's victory at the Minnesota Vikings, it's clear he and others inside the Big Blue locker room know Saturday's experience will probably be no laughing matter for the visitors.
"Their crowd is brutal, and it helps when their team is as good as they are," offensive tackle Andrew Thomas said about Eagles fans. "We're looking forward to it, it's nothing but us against the world so that's the mentality that we have."
Current Giants players aren't the only people associated with the franchise who understand what they'll encounter in the "City of Brotherly Love."
As Adam Hermann of NBC Sports Philadelphia pointed out, former New York quarterback Eli Manning confirmed during the alternate broadcast of Monday's playoff game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers that he plans to attend Saturday's Giants-Eagles clash. Manning assumes he'll see plenty of "double birds" at the Linc:
"I said when I retired that I would never go back to a football game at Philly, but I think I have to break my promise (for Giants-Eagles). I think I have to go there. I can't wait to see the amount of double birds I get. Could break a record."- Eli Manning #ManningCast pic.twitter.com/HzowYLzP0S
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 17, 2023
That wasn't the first time Manning mentioned Philadelphia fans giving him a special salute during Eagles-Giants games.
With Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts carrying a sprained throwing shoulder into the contest, he and his defense may need the Philly faithful to hassle New York's offense early and often to ensure the hosts don't suffer an upset loss at the hands of Daniel Jones and company.
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