It's been an eye-opening season for Ernie Sims. In Week 2, against his former team, the Detroit Lions, Sims broke a personal losing streak of 29 games. The hard-hitting linebacker finished a season on a team with a winning record for the first time in his five-year career. Now, Sims prepares to do something else he's never done before - play in a playoff game.

"I'm definitely going to feel a difference once I get on the field and realize that it's a playoff game," said Sims, who, when he first got to the Eagles, said that "the joy in his life" was back. "I remember those days (back in Detroit). I'm just excited to have the opportunity to be in the playoffs. It's hard to make it to the playoffs, so I'm definitely excited about that."

Sims said he's received plenty of text messages from friends and former teammates congratulating him on his first foray beyond the regular season. Because this is his first time playing past Week 17, Sims was thankful for the opportunity to rest last week when most of the starters didn't play against the Cowboys.

"I'm going to be honest with you, that week that they gave us off really helped, really helped my body," Sims said. "I feel a whole lot better."

Sims played his first game as an Eagle against the Packers in Week 1, when Green Bay came to town and won 27-20. While Sims played that game as the full-time weakside linebacker, it's uncertain what exactly his role will be come Sunday. In Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, defensive coordinator Sean McDermott subbed in Akeem Jordan for Sims in nickel packages. Sims said he's "not quite sure" what the plan will be against the Packers this time around.

That said, there's no question Sims will aim to make the most of however many snaps he gets. After all, he's been waiting long enough.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 3:00 p.m., January 8