Eagles QB Donovan McNabb

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb

Just when I had the Eagles dead and burried, they win 2 straight and — with some help from the Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons, who both lost today — are somehow still alive in the NFC playoff picture after a stunning 20 – 14 road win over the New York Giants.

Sure, the Cowboys loss still gave the Giants the NFC East title, and the Eagles’ mid season slump gives them no room for error, they must win their remaining 3 games to even have a chance to get into the post-season. But to some degree, at 7-5-1 they control their own destiny. Given that the Eagles, with a blowout loss 2 weeks ago and on the verge of running franchise QB Donovan McNabb out of town on a rail, the fact that they’ll actually be playing for something over the next 3 weeks is absolute progress.

Next Monday, the Eagles host the disappointing 4-9 Cleveland Browns, losers of 3 straight and down to its 3rd string QB. Wins have been difficult to take for granted with this Eagles team this year, however this is a game the Eagles should win. If the Eagles can take care of business and beat the Browns at home, they can keep pace with the Carolina Panthers (9-3) and Atlanta Falcons (8-4) and stay a half game ahead of the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears who are both 7-6 and the Washington Redskins, who are 7-5 at the time of this posting but trail the Baltimore Ravens by 2 touchdowns in the 4th quarter.

It’s tough to imagine but if 2 of the teams between the Panthers, Falcons and Cowboys finish 10-6 and the Eagles finish 10-5-1, they could earn the final wild card spot. This is a long shot but, once again, the birds do control their own destiny. And reason for hope is not only the inspired brand of football they have played the last 2 weeks, handling 2 playoff teams in the Arizona Cardinals and Giants, but the fact that the Eagles under Head Coach Andy Reid have a history of playing very well  in the month of December.

To be sure, I’ll not yet be booking my travel plans to the Super Bowl but at least I don’t have to start thinking about when the Combine will be held or pouring over mock drafts to think about whom the Eagles may select with their 2 2009 first round draft picks. I can also have another month to distract myself from the disappointing start of the more disappointing 9-12 Sixers!

.chris{}