Three to go......

OK, Eagle fans it has come down to this. Win the remaining three games against the Browns, Redskins and Cowboys and hope the Falcons lose one of thier final three games and we're in the playoffs. As unbelievable as it seemed two weeks ago this team has a legitimate chance to win out. The Browns are busy looking for a new coach and with the game at Philly on a Monday night I expect the Eagles to show up inspired. The next week in Washington we meet the Redskins who are currently in turmoil. Major injuries to key positions the last few weeks have hurt them as well as a feud between thier star running back Clinton Portis and the head coach. The Eagles play well in Washington and we owe them one after losing in Philly early in the season. Then we come home to Play the Hated Dallas Cowboys which could come down to the winner is in and the loser is out. If, that is, they can survive the brutal finish to the season against the Giants and Ravens before playing the birds. If you look at this frustrating season so far you look back at the games they have lost. Most of thier losses were games they really should have won. Against Dallas, a shaky two-minute drill contributed to a tough loss. In Chicago, it was being on the receiving end of a goal line stand that spelled doom. Against the Redskins, the Eagles simply couldn't sustain an offensive drive. In the first game against the Giants at the link, a game dictated by big plays, it was the little ones that decided it, making it yet another "coulda, shoulda, but didn't" NFC East heartbreaker. Brian Westbrook was stuffed on a fourth-down off-tackle run with under two minutes to play, failing to extend a drive that could have won the game and sent Philadelphia into a frenzy. And then thier was that debacle in Cincinnati. Five games that easily could have been wins. Win those games and we're all talking Super Bowl. But of course this is reality and it is what it is. Instead of 9-4 going into week 16, we are 7-5-1. So where do we go from here? If this team can sustain what they have the last two weeks. A balanced offensive attack and a rested dominant defense it is possible they can do some damage in the playoffs. This season the Giants have really been the only dominant team in the NFC and we have proven that they are beatable last week. Some may argue the Panthers and Bucs, however would they be 9-3 or 10-4 in the tough NFC East? It is a bit premature to discuss playoff scenarios considering the playoffs are not set as of yet. If the birds get in, I feel confident that they could do what the Phillies did and win when no one expects them to. A lot has to happen between now and Feb.1st so we'll see, but I know this. None of the teams getting into the playoffs want to see the Philadelphia Eagles coming into thier house on a five game winning streak. Lets get there.......Go Birds.