By Eliot Shorr-Parks | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

It has been 13 years since the Eagles hosted the NFC Championship at Lincoln Financial Field, a game they won over the Atlanta Falcons to secure a trip to Super Bowl XXXIX.

Will the Eagles once again find success at home?

The Eagles and Minnesota Vikings are just hours away from kicking off the NFC Championship, with a spot in Super LII on the line.

Here are some final thoughts on the game, as well as some bold predictions:

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Matt Rourke | AP PHOTO

FOLES MIGHT BE SET FOR BIG GAME

It isn't the quarterback that fans want to be playing for them on Sunday (that title belongs to Carson Wentz), but Nick Foles seems set to surprise a lot of people. The last time Foles had a full week of regular practice as the starting quarterback, with a bye week, Christmas or a meaningless game to worry about, he threw four touchdowns in a win over the Giants.

Asking Foles to throw four touchdowns might be too much, but coming off of an excellent week of practice and his best half of football against the Atlanta Falcons, don't be surprised to see Foles have a big game against the Vikings.

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Michael Perez | AP PHOTO

EAGLES HAVE THE BETTER DEFENSE

The Vikings had the No. 1 defense in the NFL during the regular season, but the regular season ended three weeks ago. Heading into kickoff, the Eagles have a defense that is better at taking the ball away, better at pressuring the quarterback, better against the run and only allowed 10 points last week.

The Vikings defense is very good, but they give up seven more points on the road than they do at home. The Eagles should be the team being discussed as having the best defense, not the Vikings.

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Mark J. Rebilas

KEENUM IS A WILD CARD

On one hand, the Eagles have no business letting Vikings quarterback Case Keenum keeping them out of a trip to the Super Bowl. Keenum is a backup, is playing on the road and was a miracle touchdown pass away from being bounced in his first career playoff game.

On the other hand, Keenum has had a pretty impressive year for the Vikings, and is a threat both with his arm and his legs. Keenum isn't afraid to take chances, and the Eagles need to make sure when he does, they make him pay instead of letting it turn into a big play against them.

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EAGLES PLAYERS RAVE ABOUT NICK FOLES' CONFIDENCE

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Michael Perez | AP PHOTO

EAGLES' DEFENSIVE LINE MUST STEP UP

Each week, prior to the previous 17 games the Eagles have played, the pressure has been on the defensive line to step up for the upcoming game. That is just the reality of the expectations that come with being the best unit on the team.

Nothing is different for the biggest game of the season -- the Eagles' defensive line must dominate for the team to win.

The Vikings' weakest unit is their offensive line, and the Eagles' front four should be able to have their way and get pressure on Keenum throughout the game.

The team has invested big-time resources -- from over $100 million in guaranteed money, to multiple first-round picks -- into the defensive line. To get to the Super Bowl, it has to payoff against the Vikings.

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Jeff Roberson | AP PHOTO

THIRD DOWN WILL ONCE AGAIN BE KEY

This game very well could be won or lost by the Eagles on third down. The Vikings have one of the best third-down defenses in the history of the NFL, surrendering a first down on just 25% of third-down attempts by opposing offense. The Eagles' defense is not far behind, as they finished third in the NFL this season, allowing a first down on just 32% of third-down attempts.

Which offense -- and more specifically, which quarterback -- makes more plays on third down is likely going to be the one that ends up going to Super Bowl LII.

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WHY HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE WILL BE BIG FOR EAGLES

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Chris Szagola | AP PHOTO

HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE

The advantage the Eagles get by this game being played at Lincoln Financial Field is huge. Not only are they a far better home team, but Philadelphia is one of the toughest places for an opposing team to come into and play a game. Over the last two seasons, the Eagles have lost just three of their 17 home games.

The Vikings, on the other hand, are not as good on the road as they are at home. Their No. 1-ranked defense is giving up, on average, seven more points per game on the road as opposed to at home.

The Eagles earned the right to have this game in Philadelphia, and they can't let the chance to capitalize on it slip away.

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7 THINGS THE VIKINGS DO BETTER THAN THE EAGLES

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BOLD PREDICTIONS

Here are some bold predictions, submitted by readers:

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Alshon Jeffery finally gets 100 yards receiving in a game, and 2 TDs against a familiar face, Xavier Rhodes — Trey (@T_rey18) January 19, 2018

BIG GAME FOR ALSHON?

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: Jeffery is certainly familiar with Rhodes, as the two faced off twice a season during his days with the Chicago Bears. In fact, Jeffery has more career touchdowns and yards against the Vikings than any other team in the NFL he has faced. It would not be surprising to see Jeffery win the matchup against Rhodes, but the question is, will Foles throw it to him enough to give him a chance.

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Eagles win on a Nick Foles scramble for a TD. — Savage (@MDSavage63) January 19, 2018

NICK FOLES RUNS ONE IN

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: Foles has played in 49 career games and has a grand total of five rushing touchdowns. So the chances are slim. He nearly had one against the Atlanta Falcons in the team's divisional win, however, and the Eagles' coaches rave about Foles' athleticism -- so it shouldn't be completely ruled out.

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SIDNEY JONES MAKES AN IMPACT

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: Seven interceptions for Jones would certainly be an impressive playoff debut. On a more realistic level, however, the chances Jones even dresses for this game seem slim -- although the fact cornerback Rasul Douglas had a special teams mistake against the Falcons does help Jones' chances of being on the active roster.

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Mychal Kendricks Pick 6, Chris Long strip sack — Mukund Patel (@RealMukund) January 19, 2018

MYCHAL KENDRICKS STEPS UP AGAINST BROTHER

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: Kendricks nearly had an interception against the Falcons, as he did a nice job getting infront of a pass and had a chance to pick it off -- but dropped it. Playing against his brother's team, it wouldn't be surprising to see Kendricks make a big play.

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9 THINGS THE EAGLES DO BETTER THAN THE VIKINGS

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Jake Elliott nails a late field goal and the defense stops the Vikings to end the game. Eagles win 13-10 https://t.co/7EC7szwIfJ — sal (@the_snags71) January 19, 2018

JAKE ELLIOT FOR THE WIN

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: This has certainly been a winning formula for the Eagles so far this season, as Elliott has made big-time kicks in wins over the Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Oakland Raiders and the Falcons. In what could be a low-scoring game, it wouldn't be surprising to see the game come down to a field goal attempt by Elliott.

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Eagles D forces 4 turnovers — Mags (@andyamagliano) January 19, 2018

EAGLES FORCE FOUR TURNOVERS

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CHANCES IT HAPPENS: One thing the Eagles' defense does considerably better than the Vikings' defense? Create turnovers. The Vikings' defense created just 19 turnovers this season in 16 games, while the Eagles' defense took the ball away 31 times. With Keenum making his first career road start in the playoffs, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Eagles come away with a takeaway early on -- and then roll from there.

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FINAL PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Vikings 13

The Eagles have a much better game offensively than many think they are capable of, and the defense shows why in Philadelphia they are the best defense in the NFL -- not the Vikings.

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WILL ED HOCHULI COST EAGLES A CHANCE AT SUPER BOWL?

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WHERE TO REACH ME

Eliot Shorr-Parks may be reached at eshorrpa@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @EliotShorrParks. Find NJ.com Eagles on Facebook.

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WATCH: FOLES SET FOR BIG GAME VS. VIKINGS?

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