I, myself, left this team for dead two months ago. Most fans thought the team was done mainly because they were 0-2 after the first two weeks. I mainly thought that because of the injuries and the fact that the offense was terrible at best that the Eagles just had nothing. Plus, at the time, the Redskins, Giants, and Cowboys were playing respectable football.
But, now, 11 weeks and 10 games later, the Eagles are sitting happy at 9-3 atop the NFC and the NFC East. Nothing better huh? And can I explain how they got there? Ironically, it's been their offense and the "bend-but-don't-break" defense setup by Jim Johnson.
The offense has been great the last few weeks starting with the Giants. The offense is poised and McNabb is finding everyone. The credit needs to go to the runningbacks for opening up the passing game but McNabb has been sharp. That pass today to Lewis was simply perfect. The Eagles put up 25 points against one of the top defenses in the league. That's nothing to turn your ahead to.
What do you guys think? The offense right now is better than any offense Reid has put together. With the running and passing game insync, everything is flowing as the WCO should. The defense is the obvious weak point and the Hollis Thomas injury is killing the tackle depth. But, once Taylor and Dawkins get back to 100%, the Eagles secondary will not get burned like they did today. Taylor was obviously not at game speed yet.
But honestly, there is not one NFC team that scares me. The Rams scare me only if the game is played in St. Louis. If you put the Rams outside in early-January, do not even bother playing. Game over.
Where do you guys see this team? They finish out the season with Cowboys, Redskins, Dolphins, and Niners.
Theoretically, two playoff teams in the 'Boys and the Dolphins.
I think this team could easily run the table, but it is not likely. The game in Miami is a very tough game, but Reid gets him team prepared for Monday/Sunday night games and not to mention Reid just seems to get the team focused for road games.
I see the Eagles at 11-5 and #1 in the NFC because I do not see the Rams running the table and the Eagles in conference record would be something like 10-2 and I do not think the Rams will have that good of an in-conference record.
Thoughts? Plus, Westbrook is just amazing. I think he may be replacing McNabb as the "guy everyone wants to see" play. Maybe that's just me.
I agree with you 100 percent that there really aren't any teams in the NFC that are scary. However, I don't agree with your 11-5 prediction at all. I'd be absolutely shocked if the Eagles lost 2 of the next 4. I think they'll beat Dallas fairly easily, play a close game against Miami, and kill Washington and San Fran. The Rams have a very easy schedule coming in and the Eagles may have to run the table just to beat them out. The road to the super bowl seems to look good for the Eagles, but is it too good to be true?
I think the Eagles go 3-1 to finish out. I still don't see a Super Bowl in their future. The NFC is very weak this year, Eagles included. 5 of the top-6 teams are all in the AFC.
Dallas has a winnable 4 games ahead: @Eagles, @Redskins, Giants and @New Orleans. They need to make up a game, so need to win out to take the division. This week's game is huge and will pretty much decide the division winner. Cowboys win, then they have the division lead and the tie breakers.
I would call St. Louis the best team in the NFC. They have a very easy schedule ahead: @Cleveland, Seattle, Cincinatti and @Detroit. They should be heavily favored in all of them and anything less than a 4-0 finish would be surprising. That puts them at 13-3 with home field all the way. Even if the Rams go on the road, you should be worried. Before anybody says the 'it will be outside in the cold...' and all that crap, I give you two words: Tampa Bay. It was a 'stone cold mortal lock' that they couldn't win outside in the cold either. Rams are limited only by Martz.
I agree, but to an extent. The best team in the NFC is between the Eagles and Rams. The home team gets the edge, because the Rams are night and day outside of a dome.
The Tampa Bay in the cold is a little bit different than St. Louis outside of the dome.
It has more to do with the turf-to-grass transition for the Rams. They are night and day as Dr Love said.
Right now, I give the Eagles the edge because they have proven they can win on the road and at home. The Rams are a great team when they are in their dome, but outside of that, a .500-like team.
The Eagles need to hold strong and finish at 3-1. The only must win game is this week against Dallas. Other than that, the next two wins can come against anybody but preferably the Niners and 'Skins.
The Skins will be in coach controversy by then and the Niners will be headfirst in their QB controversy. Should help the Eagles.
If you put the Rams outside in early-January, do not even bother playing. Game over.
just like Tampa last year in the NFC Championship game. what was the score again?
I think that the Rams are the best team right now in the NFC. I think that the Eagles are playing good but IMO, they are winning with smoke and mirrors. they're opponents are finding ways to lose more than the Eagles are dominating.
I think the Eagles are as good as anybody in the NFC, but they’re not the best team in the NFL. They’ve got too many injuries and too many holes to be considered the best in the league, but in their own conference they’re right at the top.
This year the AFC has the better teams, and in my opinion Tennessee is at the very top of that list.
just like Tampa last year in the NFC Championship game. what was the score again?
I think that the Rams are the best team right now in the NFC. I think that the Eagles are playing good but IMO, they are winning with smoke and mirrors. they're opponents are finding ways to lose more than the Eagles are dominating.
Totally different my good Dallas friend.
The Rams are not only more comfortable in warmth, but they are a much different team on turf. Heck, Marshal Faulk is much better on turf and we all know that the Rams become extremely dangerous offensively when Faulk is getting his yards.
You put the Rams outside on grass in the cold, it's just not a good combo.
Bulger on turf: 23 TDs 14 INTs 93.2 rating
Bulger on grass: 7 TDs 10 INTs 78.4 rating
yeah, and I bet that you could have put up a ton of the same kinda stats/trends about Tampa before they came in to the Vet last year in the Championship game and handed the Eagles they're behinds on a silver platter.
so them stats don't mean all that much to me.
