PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Football season officially returned to South Philadelphia as Eagles fans arrived at the parking lots with grills, green jerseys and plenty of E-A-G-L-E-S chants ahead of the team’s final preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals.<\/p>\n
“You can feel in the air everybody’s excited, like I’m so hype to be here. You can feel it. It’s gonna be a great year, I can feel it,” said Amy Iuliucci of Atco, New Jersey.<\/p>\n
While the game served as a final test run for the Eagles, fans also viewed it as an opportunity to get back into the tailgating routine.<\/p>\n
“It’s also the first chance for us to tailgate, ya know, get the cobwebs off, ready for regular season. We’re excited,” said Danny McGinn of Coatesville.<\/p>\n
Fans were also eager to see wide receiver and first-round draft pick Makai Lemon take the field for the first time as an Eagle. A hamstring injury had kept him out of the team’s first two preseason games.<\/p>\n
“I want to see Makai Lemon score a touchdown tonight if he plays,” said Max Raneiri of Reading.<\/p>\n
And in true Philadelphia fashion, many fans had already declared the Birds a shoo-in for a winning season well before the first snap.<\/p>\n
“We already know they’re gonna dominate the whole season. So it’s really just about having fun because guess what? We’re not worried,” said Vanessa Logan of Richmond, Virginia.<\/p>\n
“We about to win another Super Bowl. Yes, we’re gonna win another Super Bowl. Philly, we here, we bout to get it done. Game tonight – it’s on like butter popcorn baby,” said George Logan of Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n
The preseason finale also carried added significance for players fighting for roster spots. By Sunday at 6 p.m., the Eagles must reduce their roster from 90 players to 53.<\/p>\n
The team’s regular-season opener and home opener is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13, at 4:25 p.m. against the Washington Commanders.<\/p>\n
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