Anything football is not as thrilling as normal

In a typical year, the day the NFL schedule is released is like a national holiday.

It has always been something I have counted down the days to, waiting to analyze each part of the season, where I thought the Eagles would win, where their tough stretches were.

But this year is different.

Currently in a lock out, everything NFL related is a little less exciting.

There is no guarantee any of this will even matter - there is still the possibility there will be no season.

Look, when the NFL comes back, I am going to be thrilled. I love football and always will. I love the Eagles and always will.

But until the day the lockout ends, I just cannot get as excited as I usually am at this point in the year.

Philly fans criticized yet again

Philadelphia sports fans are the worst.

Blah, blah, blah.

Citing the same old reason, GQ Magazine has labeled the Eagles and Phillies as the worst fans in all of sports.

Here is what the article said:

Over the years, Philadelphia fans have booed Santa Claus, their own star players, and most absurdly, the recipient of America's very first hand transplant, whose crime was dribbling in a ceremonial first pitch—thrown with his freshly transplanted hand. Boooo! Admittedly, there are some things fans have cheered. Like Michael Irvin's career-ending neck injury and a fan being tased on the outfield grass. Things reached their nadir last season, when Citizens Bank Park played host to arguably the most heinous incident in the history of sports: A drunken fan intentionally vomited on an 11-year-old girl. The truth is this: All told, Philadelphia stadiums house the most monstrous collection of humanity outside of the federal penal system. "Some of these people would boo the crack in the Liberty Bell," baseball legend Pete Rose once said. More likely, these savages would have thrown the battery that cracked it.


Whatever.

Do any national media goofs know the true story about Philly fans booing Santa Clause?  Do they realize the Eagles were terrible that season and the hired Santa could not make it to the game because of the snow?  Do they realize that that a drunk fan played Santa on that day?

Yeah, like Eagles fans knew Irvin's career was over as he got hit.  No, they were cheering because someone from the hated Cowboys got clocked coming across the middle.

So the fans cheered when a fan was tased.  Who cares?  He was interupting the game.  No harm in cheering for Philly's finest in taking down the criminal.

Yeah, a fan throwing up on an 11-year old is disgusting.  But that is one goofball.

Name me a city that does not have some people who act like idiots.

Philly fans are among the most knowledgable and passionate.  They care. 

At least they show up. 

Maybe Marlins fans would  be the worste if more than seven people showed up.

Some random thoughts

Some random thoughts:

NHL - What in the world was Eric Staal thinking when he took goalie Cam Ward with the first pick of the NHL fantasy all-star draft? Maybe he forgot he could choose someone not on his Carolina Hurricanes team - such as Alexander Ovechkin or Steve Stamkos. I highly doubt Ward was going to go in the first five rounds. Cole missed a great opportunity to build up another portion of his team with this wasted draft pick.

I will give Cole credit for also drafting Jeff Skinner, the 18 year old Hurricane player. Team Staal will have the home crowd behind them.

NHL - What was up with Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews? He looked annoyed for not being picked earlier in the draft. Seriously, there were some other good players Mr. Stanley Cup winner.

NHL - I don't know who to cheer for in Sunday's game. Danny Briere is on Team Lidstrom and Claude Girioux is on Team Staal. I think I'll go with Briere's team as they also have coach Peter Laviolette.

NFL - Are these guys ever going to get in a room to start working on a deal that will prevent a lockout. I know one way to not get a deal done - avoid each other. That is exactly what thw owner and player representatives are doing. Grow up and figure this thing out. A meeting might be a good idea.

MLB - Only a few more weeks until pitchers and catchers report. Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels...Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hames...I can't wait!

NBA - Who cares?

My top momments in Philadelphia sports history

Disappointment is a term well known by Philadelphia sports fans.

More often than not, high hopes fall by the wayside. Guys like Scott Rolen, Eric Lindros, Allen Iverson, and Donovan McNabb come and go without bringing the city a championship.

Everything changed in 2008 when the Phillies won the cities first championship in 25 years.

The perception of Philadelphia has changed and there was evidence of that when Cliff Lee left about $30 million on the table to re-sign with the Phillies rather than sign with the Mighty Yankees.

It got me thinking of what the top memories I have in my life of watching way more losses and disappointments than watching successful teams and players.

Number 5
Roy Halladay had waited his entire year to pitch in the playoffs. He finally got his chance in 2010 and his first start was historic. Halladay pitched only the second no hitter in MLB history, leading the Phillies to a memorable win over the Cincinnati Reds. As the game went on, I actually was more excited for Halladay to get the no hitter than I was for the Phillies to take a 1-0 series lead. As Brandon Phillips, the last batter of the game, hit a little dinker in front of the plate and Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz scrambled to find the ball, my heart stopped. I jumped up and down as Phillips was thrown out. You would have thought the Phillies had won the World Series.

Number 4
I was 13 and had no rememberance of a successful Phillies season. They were absolutely terrible for most of my childhood. 1993 was a different year. The Phils had a bunch of filthy scrubs who loved to play the game. There are so many memories I have from that season, the best watching Mitch Williams jump 2 feet off the ground and into the hands of catcher Darren Daulton as the Phillies celebrated their first trip to the World Series in a decade.

Number 3
Wayne Gretzky, Grant Fuhr, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey - these are just some of the Hall of Famers the 1986-87 Edmonton Oilers had. But the singy Philadelphia Flyers took them to seven games, only to lose. But game 6 will go down as one of the best in the history of the franchise. Many say that this was the loudest it had ever been in the Spectrum. Brian Propp scored late in the third period to tie the game and JJ Daigneault set off an explosion as he fired a puck that bounced off the boards past Fuhr for the game winner.

Number 2
The year was 2004. The Eagles had lost three straight NFC Championship games. Their run was remarkable but without a trip to the Super Bowl it was empty. On that chilly day in January the Eagles finally got over the hump, beating the Atlanta Falcons and their quarterback, Michael Vick.

Could it be that Vick is now the one who will get the Eagles back to the big game?

Number 1
Brad Lidge going to his knees and embracing Carlos Ruiz. This was the first championship I had ever experienced in my lifetime - I was three when the Sixers won and a baby when the Phillies won their only other championship, so I don't remember those.

This was easily the best day of my sports life. The joy was tremendous. I was able to unleash years and years of frustration, disappointment, and wonder of what it would be like for one of my teams to win.

Now I am craving another title.

Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels - I might not have to wait much longer.

Favre injury a conspiracy

Amid speculation that Brett Favre left voice mails and sent inappropriate text messages to a former New York Jets reporter, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is listed as questionaable for this weeks game against the New England Patriots.

Favre is said to have an injury to his left ankle, but did practice today, which was the first time this week.

He will be a game time decision.

Out of Bounds: The allegations Favre has been tied to have died down and there seems to be no chance of Favre facing any length of suspension. I'm not saying Favre is not hurt, but what if the NFL did take issue with his actions, but don't want to suspend their pretty boy in fear of damaging his so-called legacy?

His ankle injury, which I do believe to be true, would be a way the NFL can punish Favre for his actions without anyone knowing the real reason he does not play this weekend.

It's a coverup and I'm not buying that his ankle is injured as bad as the Vikinga are saying.

The team will ride this right up to game time, when they will annouce that Favre will not play due to his injury.

Don't believe it. Favre has played in 291 straight games. There is no way an ankle injury would keep him out.

Eagles mistakes front and center this off season

The Philadelphia Eagles have made a lot of mistakes over the past few years.

For a change, they are now admitting it.

With no salary cap hit, now is the time to release players that are no longer serviceable. And boy have the Eagles been releasing players.

Offensive lineman Shawn Andrews was released after years of back and mental head case trouble. The Eagles just could not go through another year of wondering if he would be healthy and mentally stable to get on the field.

Reggie Brown was a draft bust who never turned into a top receiver. Kevin Curtis was another receiver who did not work out, as injuries kept him off of the field much of the time.

Chris Clemons was supposed to be a force opposite Trent Cole on the defensive line, but that never happened.

Darren Howard never amounted to much on the defensive line. He is now gone.

Will Witherspoon, who they traded for last season was released.

The only player they have released this off season who was not a mistake to sign was running back Brian Westbrook. He had a great career in Philadelphia but has just run out of gas.

Still, the Eagles have made plenty of mistakes.

I applaud them for getting rid of these guys, but it is even more evident how many times they miss on their draft picks and free agents. This is only a list of guys they have released this off season.

Sure, the Eagles have hit huge on a few signings and draft picks - Donovan McNabb, DeSean Jackson, and Terrel Owens come to mind.

However, if they ever want to win a Super Bowl, the Eagles are going to have to make the right choice more often. If they do not, the drought will continue and we'll be sitting here in three years wondering when they are going to give up on Andy Reid and move on.

NFL's best week is championship Sunday

Unlike the other major sports, the NFL's championship game loses a lot of luster because of its corporate feel and neutral location.

Because of this, the best week of the season is championship week, where the best teams in the AFC and NFC play for a right to go to the Super Bowl.

People don't watch the AFC or NFC Championship games for commercials. They don't watch just because every one else does.

No, this Sunday is all about football. It's about a stadium being full of passionate fans, all with one goal in mind - for their team to make it to the Super Bowl.

It is not a corporate event and instead of looking forward to commercials, fans dread having to wait to find out what happens next in the game.

I vividly remember every single Eagles NFC Championship game.

The anticipation leading up to the games was huge. The crowds were nuts. My stomach was in knots for every second of every single one of those games.

As the NFC Championship game loses mounted year after year, I remember the Eagles going into the 2004 conference championship game against Michael Vick and the Atlanta Falcons.

My thoughts raced as I wondered how they would stop Vick and how they would avoid stopping themselves yet again.

As Chad Lewis caught his second TD of the game and I knew they would finally win one, it was the best football moment of my life.

In fact, I'd put it as my second best sports moment of all time right behind the Phillies winning the World Series in 2008.

Yes, the Super Bowl decides the championships.

But people don't get together for parties just to get together during the conference championship games.

No, tomorrow is all about football.

Will Eagles ever win SB under Reid?

Eagles president Joe Banner does not live by his words.

At the end of last season he described the definition of insanity as doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.

So what did he do during the season - extended Andy Reid's contract.

Now that is insanity.

There have been two constants over the past 11 years - Reid and quarterback Donovan McNabb.

So is the answer to trade McNabb, as many fans suggest?

The answer is no. Reid is the problem.

Before I rip on Reid, I must first say that he has been an excellent coach. You don't accidentally lead your time to five NFC Championship games by accident.

The problem is that whenever the Eagles face a huge playoff game, Reid depends too much on McNabb.

There is no run balance. The entire game from an offensive perspective is on McNabb's shoulders.

Take a look at the numbers in the playoff games Reid and McNabb have been in. I doubt you will be surprised.

In the eight playoff games they have lost, the pass/run ratio is 323/151 (68% pass, 32% run). In the 10 playoff games they have won, the pass/run ratio is 322/274 (54% pass, 46% run).

That is a huge difference!

Is that McNabb's fault? No!

Now, I realize the Eagles are going to throw more in games they are behind. But te fact of the matter is that they abandon the run too quickly and become a one dimensional offense.

It's absolutely ridiculous.

Reid often talks about putting players in a better position to execute.

Instead of listening to his own advice, he continues to put players in the same, horrible positions.

And it costs him.

Even worse than the effect of the lack of balance causes on offense, it also has a major effect on defense.

Because the Eagles are constantly passing, they are not controlling the clock. This causes the defense to be on the field more and more often.

Because of this, the defense tires, allowing the opposing offense to control the clock and thus control the game.

McNabb has his issues and I know that.

But he is not the problem. Reid is.

Unfortunately we know Reid is going to be here.

McNabb...well, who knows.

Eagles face tough decisions at QB position

The Philadelphia Eagles are facing major questions heading into an offseason that once again has come all too early.

One of those decisions will come in the form of what to do at the quarterback position.

They have three guys, all with one year remaining on their contracts.

Donovan McNabb has been in Philadelphia since 1999. He has taken the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and one Super Bowl. He had a career year this past year, but has never been able to get over the hump and bring a title to Philadelphia.

Kevin Kolb was drafted a couple of years ago. At the time, many thought he would soon take over for McNabb. Kolb has seen spot duty and played well in the time he saw the field this season when McNabb was injured.

Michael Vick played sparingly this season after coming back into the NFL after serving time in prison. He did not have much of an impact except for a few plays and never really materialized into the weapon many fans expected.

So what in the world do the Eagles do?

First off, there is no way the keep all three.

Second, Eagles coach Andy Reid has already said McNabb will be back. Of course, he can't really say he plans to trade McNabb. So let's say that at this point, anything is on the table.

Here are two different realistic scenarios.

1) Keep McNabb to be your starter and Kolb as the backup. Trade Vick. McNabb is still a pro bowl quarterback and gives the Eagles the best chance to win. The Eagles really don't know what they have in Kolb and being as how they feel close to winning a Super Bowl, would they really put Kolb at the head of the ship?

Vick would be owed $5 million next season. There is no way they are going to pay him that to be a third string quarterback who plays a little bit in the wildcat offense. The Eagles really did not use Vick much this year anyway.

2) Trade McNabb and make Kolb your starter. Vick would then serve as the backup. Kolb played well in the time he got to play this year. He might be a better fit for the style of offense the Eagles play as he has more accuracy than McNabb.

Vick played more when McNabb was out and it is possible that while Kolb starts, Vick would see the field more as a change of pace quarterback.

The tricky part of this whole equation is that the Eagles really need to make a long term decision prior to the season starting. While it would be nice if they could go into the season with McNabb as the starter and Kolb ready to take over full time should McNabb get injured or stumble, that is not going to happen.

The Eagles will need to pick one of these three and sign him to a longer term deal. Not doing that would be risking too much.

After last season owner Jeffrie Lurie said the Eagles are crazy if they think they can keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. Could McNabb be part of the equation that they need to change?

I don't think so.

My bet is on Vick being traded. The Eagles are not going to pay him $5 million to be a back up. He did not play a whole ton this season.

In this scenario, McNabb would sign an extension and Kolb would play out his contract as the backup. The Eagles would probably try to sign Kolb longer term, but he would likely want a chance to start somewhere.

Reid has a very tough decision ahead of him, one in which will have major effects long term.

Do you go with the guy you have had all along or take a chance on a new guy?

My bet is on McNabb developing more of a chemistry with te younger guys.

Maybe Kolb develops into a special quarterback, maybe not.

We do know McNabb, while he has his shortcomings, is a special quarterback.

While he is labeled as a guy who cannot win big games, keep in mind you don't get to five NFC title games without being able to win big games.

McNabb gives the Eagles the best chance to win. My money is on the Eagles making the right choice and bringing him back long term.

Eagles blow great opportunity

I guess the Dallas Cowboys owed the Philadelphia Eagles one.

A year after the Eagles demolished the Cowboys in the season finale to knock them out of the playoff hunt, the Cowboys returned the favor, sticking it to the Eagles in a 24-0 win.

Fortunately for Philadelphia, they will get another crack at the Cowboys next week in the first round of the playoff.

The loss comes at a major cost for the Eagles. Had they won, they would have been the second seed in the NFC, had a first round bye, and at least one home game.

They now drop to the sixth seed and will have to win three games on the road to advance to the Super Bowl.

If they play anything like they did today they'll be going home quickly.

The Eagles got very little pressure on Cowboys QB Tony Romo, they left receivers wide open all game and could not stop the run.

The offense was even worse. McNabb missed receivers all game and even when he connected with them, the receivers dropped passes.

They wasted timeouts, had poor clock managment yet again, and were flat out whipped.

How the Eagles came out so flat in such a big game is beyond me. They were absolutely terrible. And now the road to the Super Bowl has become much more difficult.

The Cowboys wanted it more, played a ton better, and are awarded with an NFC East title and a home playoff game.

I feel sick to my stomach.

NFL teams should be able to rest players if they want

I hate it when teams rest their starters at the end of the season. It stinks for fantasy football and gives opponents easy wins, thus changing the landscape of the teams to make the playoffs.

However, if a team is good enough to get to a point where they can rest their starters, they certainly should be able to.

NFL commissioner Roger Gooddell plans to take a look at the practice of teams resting their starters, citing the fact that he wants every game to be competitive.

There absolutely should not be any rule in place that tells coaches how to run their team.

Period.

While I understand the desire to make all games competitive, a team should be able to do as it pleases. And if they earned the right to rest players then they should be able to do so.

Why should a team be forced to play certain guys with a possibility of injury at risk.

The Indianapolis Colts rested their starters for much of the game last week against the New York Jets. The Jets won, ending the Colts perfect season.

This game also changed the landscape of the playoffs. Normally, this is a game the Colts would win. They did not and now the Jets play Cincinnati today and a win guarantees them a playoff spot. The Jets may benefit once again as the Bengals are likely to rest their starters.

Teams like Pittsburgh, Miami, Jacksonville, etc are going to have odds against them because of the position the Jets have been put in.

To that I say so what.

Does it stink for those teams that the Jets played against a team who rested its starters last week and will probably play against a team this week who rested its starters?

Absolutely.

But who cares.

If these other teams would have won the games they should have won then they would not be in this position of depending on Jets losses anyway.

What's next? The NFL telling teams they can't make quarterback changes during the season? Sorry Jet's, we don't feel like a rookie QB makes you as competitive, so you have to sit Mark Sanchez and play Kellen Clemmons.

Ridiculous.

Even considering the idea of controlling what coaches do is dumb.

How a coach uses his players is his choice.

Leave it at that.

Vikes lose, Eagles can grab second seed

It's not often that I jump out of my seat and yell "TOUCHDOWN" when a team other than the Eagles scores.

I did tonight.

At times a frustrating game to watch, the Chicago Bears took down the Minnesota Vikings in a thrilling overtime game Monday night.

The Eagles are now one win away from an NFC East title AND a first round bye.

The Bears led 16-0 at halftime and 23-6 in the third quarter. However, the Vikings came back to tie it.

A huge kickoff return by Chicago gave the Bears a 30-23 lead with a few minutes left. Minnesota tied it with 16 second left to send the game into overtime.

Bears kicker Robbie Gould missed a field goal in OT, but the Bears later capitalized on an Adrian Peterson fumble. Jay Cutler connected on a deep pass to Devin Aromashodu for the game winner.

Beyond Chicago blowing a big lead and almost missing a chance to win in OT, I found myself sick to my stomach with all of the Brett Favre love talk from the announcers.

But when it comes to watching a game that could have a big affect on the Eagles, I'd suffer through anything.

And boy did this turn out to be a huge game for the Eagles.

Heading into tonight's game, the Birds needed a win next week and a Vikings loss tonight in Chicago or next week against the Giants.

Thank you Bears.

A win over Dallas next week would be absolutely tremendous for the Eagles, giving them a week to rest and one less game they would have to play in their quest for a Super Bowl title.

Dawkins return to Philly will be emotional

I've always held to the notion that a sports fan should be a fan of the team over any individual player. Players come and go, but the team is always there.

This rule does not apply to Brian Dawkins.

As we approach the return of Dawkins to Philadelphia as a Denver Bronco, I find myself more excited about him being back in Philly than the game itself.

Don't get me wrong, once the game starts I am certainly not going to be rooting for Dawkins to clock Donovan McNabb on a blitz. It's a big game for the Eagles and a win and Minnesota Vikings loss would put the Eagles in second place in the NFC.

But this game is different. It's special.

I'll never forget the day Dawkins signed with Denver. As rumors were swirling my heart began to sink. I had always assumed Dawkins, who played for the Eagles for 13 years, would retire in midnight green.

It was one of the worst days of my life as a fan when the signing became official. It just did not seem right. It didn't seem real.

The man was a staple to the Eagles defense. He made big plays. He was a leader. He was the heart and soul of the team. He was an icon.

In my mind and heart, he will always be an Eagles icon.

And I cannot wait to see him play this weekend.

It was reported that the Broncos defense will be introduced prior to the game this weekend. I can only imagine the reception Dawkins will receive when his name is called. He always did receive the biggest ovation for his intense introduction. It always pumped the fans up.

Dawkins will be wearing the wrong color this weekend and it will be painful to see him going against the Eagles.

But no matter what, he will always have my respect. He played the game hard, went all-out all of the time, and was a leader.

For that, Dawkins will always be one of my all-time favorite Eagles.

With playoff birth, are Eagles guaranteed trip to NFC title game?

The Philadelphia Eagles are headed back to the playoffs.

With A 27-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Eagles head the post-season for the eighth time in Andy Reid's 11 seasons.

So what does that mean for the Eagles hopes of advancing once the playoffs start?

Likely a trip to the NFC Championship game.

Of the previous seven appearances in the playoffs, the Eagles have made it to the NFC Championship game an astounding five times.

That is pretty remarkable.

The Eagles first NFC Championship game appearance was in 2001 against "The greatest show on turf." Despite being heavy underdogs, the Eagles almost pulled out a win over the St. Louis Rams, but came up just short, 29-24.

Despite the loss, the Eagles began a string of NFC domination which saw them advance to the NFC Championship four years in a row.

Unfortunately for the Eagles, all but one of those games ended in utter disappointment.

The Eagles hosted the Tampa Bay Bucs in 2002, a game they were favored to win. In what was probably the most heartbreaking championship game loss, the Bucs beat the Eagles in the final game at the Vet.

The Birds almost did not make it back to the NFC Championship the following year, but the famous 4th and 26th game led them back the Packers to face the Carolina Panthers. The lack of a solid receiver was never more evident in this game as they were shut down by Carolina, 14-3.

In 2004, years of suffering finally came to an end as the Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons to head to their second ever Super Bowl. Of course, we all know the dream season ended with a loss to the Patriots.

After a disappointing 6-10 season in 2005, divisional round playoff loss to the Saints in 2006, and an 8-8 2007, the Eagles needed an absolute miracle to make the playoffs in 2008.

An Oakland Raiders improbable win over Tampa Bay on the final day of the season set up a showdown game with the Cowboys with the winner taking the division and the loser missing the playoffs entirely.

After a thrilling 44-6 thumping of the Cowboys, the Eagles beat the Vikings on the road in the wildcard round and then the Giants in the Meadowlands to advance to the NFC Championship game against the surprising Arizona Cardinals.

After falling behind, the Eagles made a valiant comeback but fell short, 32-25.

So here we find ourselves again, back in the playoffs.

There is still a lot to play for. Despite the Eagles being ahead of the Cowboys by one game, the NFC East is still up for grabs. The Eagles play the Denver Broncos this week while the Cowboys have the Washington Redskins.

Playoff seeding could very well come down to the last game of the season again - Eagles vs Cowboys.

No matter what happens in the regular season we know that the Eagles have a very good chance of advancing to the NFC Championship game.

And why not?

The top-seeded Saints have looked average of late and lost their first game last night, although they have been on the verge of losing for weeks.

The second seeded Vikings may be the toughest team to beat in the playoffs.

Arizona, Green Bay, and Dallas will likely round out the playoffs (the Giants could sneak in), but I can't see any of these teams being a major roadblock to the Eagles.


So I'll formally declare - NFC Championship game, here we come! Please just treat us a little nicer this time.

Celek's attitude a breath of fresh air

I am sick and tired of football players complaining about being underpaid.

All too often a guy signs a long term extension and then in a few years whines about being underpaid.

It's ridiculous.

Sure, the player possibly gives up more money in the future by signing a deal now. But they also guarantee themselves and their family a financially secure life in a sport where your career can end at any point and time due to injury.

That is why I felt so refreshed to hear Brent Celek's comments today after signing a six year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I'll tell you right now that I'm set and I'm happy with my deal," Celek said. "I can promise you that I won't be up here complaining about my deal. They put a trust in me by signing me early and have given me financial security for the rest of my life, so I owe it to them to play out my deal and that is personally how I feel and that is how I'll go about my business."

Wow. What a breath of fresh air.

Eagles in great spot after comeback win

Comeback wins are becoming common for the Philadelphia Eagles.

After going 1-8-1 in its last 10 games decided by seven points or less, the Eagles have come back to win their last two games, both by less than a touchdown.

With two huge wins in their last two games, the Eagles find themselves in a great spot heading down the stretch.

After two straight weeks of "must win" games the Eagles now travel to Atlanta with a chance to all but stamp a ticket to the playoffs. A win for the Birds would put them at 8-4 and Atlanta, also alive for a playoff spot, at 6-6.

With the Giants struggling, the Eagles are currently tied with the Packers for the wild card teams.

The NFC East division title is not out of reach as the Eagles trail the Cowboys by just one game.

Although not a cakewalk, all of the Eagles remaining games are winnable - Falcons, Giants, 49ers, Broncos, and Cowboys. Overall, these teams are a combined 32-23.

Dallas has a much tougher schedule - Giants, Chargers, Saints, Redskins, and Eagles. Overall, these teams are a combined 34-20.

The records of the remaining teams can be a little deceiving. Three of the five teams the Eagles have left are hovering right around .500. The Cowboys face two first place teams in the Chargers and undefeated Saints.

Like last year, it is very possible the season could come down to the last game, although with different stakes.

The Eagles thumped Dallas in a winner go on, loser go home finale last year.

This season, it is likely both teams will make the playoffs. The question then becomes, who will win the division and open the playoffs at home.

My prediction is that the Eagles go 3-1 in their next four games while Dallas goes 2-2. This would pit the final game for the division title.

The Eagles have a bunch of shortcomings - stopping teams on third down, scoring TD's in the redzone, dumb penalties. However, they still find themselves in a good spot. A typical hot December will have them flying into the playoffs where anything can happen - even against tough teams like Minnesota and New Orleans.

Blogging the Eagles game: second half

Link to first half: http://phillyfannation.blogspot.com/2009/11/blogging-eagles-game-first-half.html

Quarter 3:
•Eagles get the ball to start the second half, up 16-14.
•On his way into the locker room at half time Andy Reid told Tony Siragusa he needed to address the penalties they are getting. Ya think? This is something that has been a problem ALL YEAR!
•Almost intercepted by Mikell. That would have been a heck of an interception.
•Yet another 3rd down conversion, this one for 29 yards. Tackle him!!
•Oh no….oh no….oh no….it’s 3rd and long. The Eagles are doomed. What a surprise. Campbell escapes a sack and completes a pass for 35 yards. Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.
•3rd and goal from the Eagles 10-yard line. And a touchdown by Washington. The Eagles are absolutely terrible on third downs. The Skins converted on three third downs on the drive and are 7-11 in the game (5-8 in 3rd and 7 or longer). 21-16 Redskins.
•Uh oh, Jackson staying down after being crunched short of the 1st down on a 3rd down pass.
•Not much to smile about except for the fact that I tried to convince my wife the sliding door was not closed. She proceeded to get up and tickled me.
•Jackson on his way to the locker room. That’s not good. The Eagles are going to need him in order to come back in this game.
•3rd and 4. Another first down for the Redskins. Cover the receivers!
•Quinton Ganther (who?) averaging 7 yards per carry.
•3rd and 15. Eagles need to stop them. Yes, they shut down the screen for a loss of 4. Redskins punt.
•Three and out again for the Eagles for the third time this quarter. Two dropped passes by Brent Celek. And the Eagles are 2 for 10 on third down conversions.
•3rd and 6 for the Redskins. False start. 3rd and 11. And Campbell runs for 16. But there is a flag. Holding on the Redskins. Thank goodness.

Quarter 4:
•Atlanta is losing to Tampa Bay. If they lose and the Eagles win, that would be huge in the playoff race. Philly is 6-4 right now and Atlanta is 5-5.
•Back to the game. 3rd and 21. If the Redskins convert this I give up. And the Eagles stop them. Philadelphia Mayor Nutter just announced they will be holding a parade for the Eagles stopping the Redskins on 3rd down.
•Another dropped pass by Celek. Does anybody have some Elmer’s glue?
•Oh no. McNabb hit as he throws and it is picked off. Redskins have the ball at the Eagles 23.
•3rd and goal from the 7. Should I just type touchdown ahead of time?
•And Campbell throws it out of the end zone. Big stop. Redskins can only go up by 8. 24-16.
•Decent return by Macho Harris for 29 yards but there is a flag. Of course it is on the Eagles.
•Huge gain by Avant for 46 yards. Keep it goin’ boys.
•Do the Eagles ever run a play in a formation other than shotgun?
•Big reception by Avant again for 22 yards. Uh oh, he is staying down.
•Vick in the game. And an incomplete pass. What the heck was that? Celek was wide open 4 yards away and the pass was not even close.
•3rd and two and they ran the ball. Wahoo! McCoy picks it up.
•Weaver with a nice run down to the 1! Punch it in…c’mon!
•Stuffed on 1st and goal. Play action and incomplete. C’mon!
•Touchdown run by Eldra Buckley!! Need the 2 point conversion to tie it and the Eagles call time-out. Wonderful, wasting the time outs. Yet another Eagles staple. I’m sure that will come back to bite them. Shovel pass and the Eagles tie the game up! Fly Eagles Fly. 24-24.
•I just can’t help but post when the Redskins have a 3rd down. This one is 3rd and 5. Do I sense a momentum switch with a big stop here? Yes, they stop him short. Penalty is on the Redskins. Decline and the Redskins will have to punt.
•First down run for McCoy after a touchback. Not missing Westbrook today.
•Deep ball caught by Maclin for 35 yards!
•Huge third down conversion to the Redskins 17-yard line.
•Give the ball back to McCoy. And they do, but for a loss of 1. Redskins take their second time-out with 2:08 remaining in the game.
•And the Flyers are going on the Peco power play. Sorry, that was random. Just passing time at the two-minute warning.
•3rd down and 6 and nothing develops. Washington takes their final time-out and the Eagles will attempt a field goal.
•Kick is up and it is goooooood. Now the defense needs to make a stop. 1:48 left.
•Two incomplete passes and it is 3rd and 10. Was just thinking, good thing Redskins tight end Chris Cooley is not playing today. He usually kills the Eagles.
•They got 9. 4th and 1. Here’s the game. Incomplete!!! Wow, Parker could have been called for roughing the passer there.
•A couple of knee downs and the Eagles go to 7-4 with a big game against Atlanta.

Blogging the Eagles game: first half

I only get to see about 5-6 Eagles games per season. Since moving to Ohio I certainly crave these games that are nationally televised. Lucky for me, this is two weeks in a row. I enjoyed watching the Birds beat up on the Bears last week. Hoping for another win today.

Pregame:
•I’m pumped. Big game today for the Eagles against the Redskins. Something tells me the Redskins are going to put up a fight. NFC East games are never easy.
•Frank Caliendo is hilarious. His impersonations are hilarious. I feel like I am actually listening to John Madden.
•Wife is running late to leave for the kid’s school to set up for Wiseman’s Warehouse. Uh oh, looks like I am going to be called to duty (help load the car) after the game has started.

Quarter 1:
•Here we go, Akers kicking off. Onside kick. Whoa! Oh no, Washington got it. Great field position for the Skins to start the game. Last time they did that to open the game it worked out better as they got the ball in a game in Dallas. Not a good start.
•Big third and one play on the first drive. Darn it. Seems like the Eagles never stop anyone on third downs.
•Shoot. Well that onside kick certainly backfired. Touchdown Redskins.
•Commercial and time to start loading the car. How fast can I go?
•Ok, I’m back. Eagles still have the ball.
•Leonard Weaver down to the Redskins 10! Nice leap over a defender at the end. C’mon, tie this thing up.
•Vick in the game. Definitely makes me move up on the edge of my seat. Vick down to the one. Darn, I would love to see the crowd’s reaction if he scored a TD. 3rd and goal.
•Darn it, he overthrew the TE. Why would they not run it from the one?
•Holy cow, they are going for it. Another throw….touchdown!! Flag on the play. Shoot, interference on the offense. Field goal time. 7-3.
•Penalties absolutely kill this team. They have to be one of the most undisciplined teams in the league.
•Big third down and five. Stop ‘em! Flags…false start. Almost picked off. Eagles getting the ball on a punt. DeSean Jackson back. Great moves. Go, go, one man to beat. Ohh! What a return. Only had one more man to beat.
•Wow, Houston up 14-0 over the undefeated Colts.
•Vick back in. Eagles at the Skins 42. Does not look like he got the yard they needed. Well short.
•Going for it on fourth down. C’mon. Run the ball with McCoy. Yes, Weaver got it over the top.
•Eagles have 94 yards, Redskins have 36. Boy did that onside kick backfire.
•Great scramble by McNabb…Jackson wide open in the end zone. Touchdown!! Jackson’s shortest TD of the season (35 yards). That is amazing. 10-7 Eagles.
•This is kind of nice. The girls are out playing with the neighbor. Son in sleeping. Wife is out (although I enjoy when she watches the games with me). Even the cat is not around. Quiet and focused on the Birds and nobody trying to pull things off of the Christmas tree.
•Rock Cartwright stuffed behind the line of scrimmage on first down. They should not have much of a running game today with Portis and Betts out of the lineup.
•3rd and 11. Darn, the screen pass gets 14 yards. Again, seems like the Eagles never stop 3rd downs.

Quarter 2:
•3rd down and 9. And yet another long conversion for the Skins.
•3rd and 2. Can the Eagles actually make a stop? Of course not. 27 yard gain inside the Eagles 10 yard line. Unbelievable. Redskins are 4 of 5 on third downs today. Maybe they should just down the ball on first and second down.
•Shoot, touchdown. Who in the world was covering Santana Moss? I was just as close as any defender. 14-10 Redskins.
•McNabb going deep! A little underthrown and incomplete. Would not have mattered anyway as Justice called for holding. Yet another penalty.
•Shovel pass to McCoy for 14 yards. This kid has some promise. I am about to explode. Yet another penalty and this one is coming back.
•Yeah! A play without a penalty.
•And now a sack. Eagles are not looking good.
•Wife is home. Good, someone to complain to about how the Eagles are playing. And someone to watch the game with.
•Here we go, 3rd and 9 and the Skins are not quite in FG range. Can the Eagles stop them for a change? Wow, they stopped them. Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
•McNabb to Avant for 14 yards. Speaking of which, I really should get an Avant patch and put it over Owens’ name on my black Eagles jersey. I have not put that jersey on in five years.
•And this drive got nowhere. Punt.
•Mason with a huge 15 yard run. How can the Eagles not stop these 3rd and 4th string backs? Oh, holding on the Redskins. Maybe that is why.
•Big pass play and almost a first down. Wow, Andy Reid showing some emotion on the sideline. He does not look happy.
•3rd and 2. Not only did the Eagles stop them but Asante Samuel intercepts it!! I tell ya, for someone who probably could not tackle my grandmother, he sure does a great job of cutting routes and getting to the ball. Great field position for the Eagles with a few minutes left in the half.
•1st and goal: pass, pass. Typical Andy Reid. Another penalty (false start)! C’mon guys. 3rd and goal. And stopped short. Another field goal. You have to score touchdowns in these scenarios. 14-13 Redskins.
•Bears and Vikings on next. Oh goodie, Brett Favre.
•Reid looks pissed. Good, show some emotion.
•42 seconds left in the half. Need to hold the Skins here.
•3rd and 8…another interception by Samuel!! 19 seconds left and the Eagles are in Redskins territory. Wow, what a great catch by Samuel digging the ball out right before it hit the ground.
•Screen play to McCoy down to the 22.
•12 seconds left. Got one shots before they need to kick a field goal.
•Kick is up and it is goooood. Eagles up 16-14 heading into halftime.

Eagles look to get on a roll heading into December

The Eagles were .500 and coming off two losses and a tie. It was Thanksgiving 2008 and the season was on the line with a game against Arizona.

The Eagles dominated, setting a strong ending to the season in motion.

Finishing the season 4-1, the Eagles rode their strong November ending into December and all the way to an NFC Championship game appearance.

The Eagles are a tad better this year at 6-4 (5-5-1) heading into their final November game, but once again, the stakes are high.

Philadelphia comes in off of a big win over the Bears on national television to face a tough Washington Redskin team.

Don't be fooled by the Redskins record of 3-7 fool you. They have been playing well as of late, losing by one one to first place Dallas last week and beating second place Denver the week before.

The Eagles won the first matchup of the year in Washington, 27-17.

Under Andy Reid, the Eagles are 7-3 in their final game of November. And like last year, the Eagles look to use this game as a stepping stool into a strong December.

Sickening Eagles stat

Here's to hoping the Eagles/Bears game tonight is not decided by seven points or less.

To put it bluntly, the Eagles will not win if it is a close game.

Over the past 2 1/2 year, the Birds are a pathetic 4-13-1 in games decided by seven points or less. They were 1-6-1 last year and 0-2 this year.

That is terrible.

McNabb and the offense cannot generate game winning drives.

Tony Romo did it today for the Cowboys. So did Eli Manning. And Matt Stafford.

But for some reason the Ealges just can't figure out how to win close games.

Maybe it's the fact that they can't run the ball. Maybe it's because the other team has already seen 400 passes come their way during the game. Maybe it's the play calling. Maybe McNabb is just not a clutch player.

Whatever it is, this is absolutely killing the Eagles.

It's depressing.