There is no blinking. Feeling empathy, sure, for a fallen brother, but for Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter Jr., the defense must go on. And as they move forward to replace Nakobe Dean, injured in Sunday's win over Green Bay and lost for the remainder of this postseason, both Burks – a seven-year veteran – and Trotter – a rookie – know they have jobs to perform.

And that is the mindset they both have as the Eagles prepare for Sunday's NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams (3 PM, NBC) at Lincoln Financial Field.

"Even though we haven't played a lot this season because Nakobe and Zack (Baun) have done such a great job, we've taken mental reps," Burks said. "We've stayed sharp. It's tough to see Nakobe go down; he was playing great football. But the mentality you have to have is that it's next man up, and we're the next men."

The two started in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Giants – Burks led the defense with 17 total tackles, including two tackles for loss, and Trotter recorded 11 total tackles – and that playtime helped knock a season's worth of rust off of them.

Now it's the playoffs, and the stakes are clear: Win or go home. The No. 1-ranked defense in the NFL plays a Los Angeles offense known for its pre-snap motion, its variety, the great weapons in the passing game, and quarterback Matthew Stafford, a Super Bowl winner and high-level quarterback since the Lions used the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2009 to select him.

"It means a lot that the coaches have confidence in my abilities and knowing that they feel that way, and especially now that the team needs it, it definitely means a lot," said Trotter, aware that Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio spoke highly of him one day earlier.

"Those reps (against the Giants) helped out a lot. In practice, I was getting some reps and doing what I could to make sure I was getting better and working on my craft, but getting real game reps definitely helps, especially learning from the veterans all season. I'm preparing to make the most of every opportunity that I get and if I get in there, I need to do my job to help the team win."

Dean and Baun have helped both Burks and Trotter get up to speed, and they will be expected to play at a high level, understand what they are seeing, and make plays. For Burks, a 49er the past two seasons who played the Rams twice a year, there is familiarity with what the Rams do. He knows that Head Coach Sean McVay, who oversees the Rams' offense, will attack all areas of the field.

"Anytime he feels he has a good matchup, he's going to look to exploit it," Burks said. "He's a great gameplanner and playcaller and we have to be ready for anything and everything."

Said Trotter: "I think I'm definitely ready for this. I've prepared every single week like I was going to start. I always make sure I'm on top of what I need to do as far as mentally and preparation wise. I look up to the veterans and see how they prepare. I'm ready and I'm excited."

Of course, there is the Trotter angle, and the rookie was asked what it was like walking on the same field as his father, Eagles Hall of Famer Jeremiah Trotter.

"Surreal, a little bit," he said. "I was a fan as a kid and wanted it as much as the fans wanted it, so it's my job to do everything I can to prepare and help us win the game. That's what matters. We're here to win the game."