EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin stepped to his locker after his shower following Sunday's season-ending win over the Giants and let out a deep breath.
It was the end of a career year for Maclin, a year that saw him catch 85 passes for 1,318 yards, within five catches and 90 yards of setting team records in both categories.
But Sunday also marked the Eagles' final game of the season, a year full of potential cut short before the postseason.
Maclin's long breath was filled with satisfaction at a job well done, but also tinged with the regret that he wouldn't have a chance to play more football this season.
"It's bittersweet," Maclin said, sitting at his locker after the game. "We wanted to finish together, but at the same time it is frustrating that we're not going to be in the playoffs. We take responsibility for that. We had every opportunity to do that, and we didn't get the job done."
The sixth-year wideout said he was happy with the way the team finished the season off, topping the division-rival Giants 34-26 on their turf. It took character for the Eagles to come out and band together for the year-capping win, and it was far more comforting than ending the year with a loss.
Maclin expected his team to get the job done Sunday, saying it was "not hard to believe we won."
But in the end, the Eagles have played their last football until 2015.
"We can't go back in time," Maclin said, matter of factly. "The season's over."
The Eagles conclude the 2014 season at MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants with an eye on reaching 10 wins for the second straight season ...
RB Chris Polk scoring another TD this year
The special team players celebrating another touchdown
RB Darren Sproles returning the punt
TE Trey Burton diving for the touchdown
RB LeSean McCoy fighting for extra yards
CB Brandon Boykin breaking up the pass
TE Brent Celek making the touchdown catch!
RB Chris Polk celebrating the 2nd Eagles touchdown
BrotherlyLove
WR Jordan Matthews making the catch and run for the touchdown
T Jason Peters getting ready for the game
Our fans are out in New York
RB LeSean McCoy before the game
Inside the huddle
LS Jon Dorenbos
DT Beau Allen getting warmed up
LB Connor Barwin
T Dennis Kelly with LB Brandon Graham before the game
WR Riley Cooper warming up for the game
S Malcolm Jenkins on the coverage
TE Zach Ertz making the catch
RB LeSean McCoy making moves
WR Josh Huff
Making the tackle
TE Zach Ertz
RB LeSean McCoy
Head coach Chip Kelly
K Cody Parkey making the extra point
WR Jordan Matthews on the way to the end zone
DT Bennie Logan with the big hit
CB Cary Williams on the defense
The line before the snap
LB Connor Barwin
QB Mark Sanchez passing the ball
QB Mark Sanchez excited after the TD pass
TE Brent Celek with the touchdown reception
Celebrating the touchdown
DT Bennie Logan
RB LeSean McCoy breaking through tackles
Head coach Chip Kelly
WR Jordan Matthews with the catch and run
P Donnie Jones with the punt
CB Cary Williams making the tackle
The team making the tackle
WR Jeremy Maclin with the catch and run
QB Mark Sanchez
RB Darren Sproles
WR Jeremy Maclin
T Jason Peters
WR Riley Cooper
DT Beau Allen
DT Beau Allen trying to block the FG
QB Mark Sanchez
S Nate Allen making the tackle
RB LeSean McCoy
QB Mark Sanchez back in the pocket
LB Trent Cole
DT Bennie Logan making the tackle
RB Chris Polk fighting for extra yards
Head coach Chip Kelly
Swarming the ball carrier
Making the tackle
RB Darren Sproles
RB LeSean McCoy
QB Mark Sanchez
K Cody Parkey celebrating his milestone
S Nate Allen with the interception
And with the end of the season comes the question of Maclin's future. He signed a one-year deal before the season began, which means he's one of seven unrestricted free agent heading into next year. He's spent all six seasons with the Eagles, and has said in the past weeks that he would definitely like to return to the team if possible.
He said after Sunday's game that, while football is a business, it's always easier to play alongside guys you care about, as he did on Sunday.
"When you're playing for something like playing for the guy next to you, playing for the guy across from you, it makes it that much sweeter," Maclin said.
It's what brought the sweetness to Maclin's bittersweet ending to the season: the knowledge that, while he and his teammates won't be taking the field again next weekend, they capped this chapter off with a win.
