Jordan Matthews experienced something of an up-and-down season for the Eagles, yet entered Week 17 just 57 receiving yards of 1,000. The second-year wideout reeled in seven passes and two touchdowns in the victory over the Giants, but his 54 yards left him three short of the milestone.
Then again, with his season ended, Matthews wasn't really concerned with individual accomplishments, anyway.
"It's whatever," Matthews said. "You want to make 1,000 when your team's also going to the playoffs, too. If we don't make the playoffs and I have 1,000 yards, what does that do for me? What does that do for anybody? You never want to see that in the morning news tomorrow. That's not a big deal.
"But when we go play winning football, which we need to start doing as a team, that's when you want to go out there and be the No. 1 guy that puts up 12, 13, 1,400. That's what I'm committed to doing, and that's why I'm going to continue to try to work to get better."
Matthews also realized it was his own fault he didn't break 1,000. He would've had that and then some if only he hauled in a 40-yard-plus pass that went through his hands for an incompletion in the first quarter.
"I would probably have 1,000 if I would've caught the first one," Matthews said. "So in essence, I really didn't even deserve 1,000."
However, there was one aspect of Sunday's game Matthews could take solace in.
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"I'm glad I was able to go out there and then put us ahead because Sam trusts me in the red zone," he said, "because that's the kind of guy I want to be, play winning football. In the big times during the game, come to me, find me, I'm going to help you win games."
Speaking at length in the locker room postgame, Matthews assumed the role of a team leader and put to rest any notion that the Eagles' win over the Giants was meaningless.
Quite the contrary, in fact. While many fans were actively rooting for a loss, the result of which would've been a more favorable draft pick and schedule in 2016, Matthews — wise beyond his years — explained why the outcome was actually very important despite the total lack of playoff implications.
"We're not about to go into a game that some people think doesn't matter and lay down," Matthews said. "That does nothing for anybody.
"I know everybody thinks about draft picks, all those things. Well, you have to make sure the guys in the locker room right now have the heart and soul to actually go finish the season and go finish a game, and I was glad we were able to go out there and do that."
Matthews certainly finished the season strong, particularly the last three games. The 23-year-old racked 21 receptions for 317 yards and four touchdowns during that span. He also scored seven of his eight touchdowns for the season over the final eight weeks.
It's a promising sign for a 2014 second-round selection who was expected to replace Pro Bowler Jeremy Maclin as the offense's featured receiver despite lining up primarily in the slot. For a variety of reasons — dropped passes, inexperience, needing time to build a rapport with quarterback Sam Bradford — success didn't come right away for Matthews. However, perhaps none of those reasons were a bigger factor than the lack of a consistent perimeter threat in the Eagles' offense.
"Just look from the first game to now," Matthews said. "I struggled, I wasn't playing my best, but if you just kind of follow it, I got a lot better. Even going into this year, losing Maclin, that was a serious blow. You don't want to make excuses, but obviously that really affected us. You can even look over at Green Bay, they've got one of the best slots in the league, but you can't tell me Randall Cobb wasn't affected when Jordy Nelson went out.
"It goes hand in hand. It's a full team effort. When that happened, there definitely was a little bit of shock factor to it, being thrusted into that position."
That being said, Matthews' improvement was evident, and he remains convinced of his ability to be a top NFL receiver.
"There definitely had to be some growing pains," he said, "there was some discomfort, but at the same time, just my mentality throughout the season and now at the end of it, I really feel like it's that time to make that step, step up and be the No. 1 receiver for this team and this city. There's definitely a lot of growing to do, there's definitely a lot of things I've got to get better at, but I'm extremely confident, I'm excited."
If anything, Matthews failing to crack 1,000 yards this season may be beneficial. At least, that's how he chose to view it. With both his personal and team goals not met this season, Matthews insisted that would only serve as motivation to continue working.
"Everybody's asking me about 1,000 yards — I think it's fitting that I ended the season that close because now that just makes me even hungrier going into the offseason," Matthews said. "I feel like that's the type of attitude I want to have. I don't want to be a guy that goes into the offseason like, 'OK, I kinda got it, so I just have to clean up a few things and I'll be good.'
"No. I've got to get to work, I've got to get better and I've got to go out there and be the No. 1 receiver this team and this city needs."
After two seasons as a professional, Matthews has 152 catches for 1,869 yards and 16 touchdowns. While he was unable to rise to expectations this season, with his combination of talent and attitude, there's still a very bright future ahead — and plenty more opportunities to rack up milestones.