Coming off a Sunday afternoon game against the New England Patriots, the Eagles are set to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday and have therefore had to condense six days worth of preparation into just three.
The team left for the Evergreen State on Wednesday after the morning walkthrough. The quick turnaround is made even tougher by the fact that it comes on the heels of crushing 38-20 home loss to New England.
With the Eagles' playoff hopes slipping away with each loss, wide receiver, and one of the unquestioned team leaders, Jason Avant knows that the key to getting through these tough times is to maintain a positive mindset.
"We need to focus on Seattle as best as we can," said the reliable slot receiver. "We have to keep our play tight, concentrate and focus on the task at hand. Everyone here is going to continue to play hard for one another."
With the adversity that this team has faced this season, it would be easy for the players to lose motivation in the final five weeks of the season, but this is a veteran team. The locker room is united in their desire to finish the year with pride.
"All we're trying to do is get a win Thursday," said Avant. "The record is what it is. All we have to do is go out and try to play well this week and for the rest of the season.
"It's not the mindset of a pro to not take games seriously. Neither is it the mindset of a good team. We have to go in with the hand that we've been dealt and play it the best we can. We're going to play hard no matter what the circumstances are."
Whenever a team doesn't have the success that was expected, the heart of the players is questioned. Avant believes that every single player in the locker room has a desire to be great and to win games for their teammates.
"Each player here has toughness," he said. "Even in this hard stretch, we're going to stay together and not give in to what the media says."
Avant is of the mindset that his actions are a reflection of the people who helped him get to where he is.
"Personally, everything I do on the football field, I do for Jesus Christ, my teammates, my family, and all the individuals who have made me the person I am today," he said.
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