Monday, November 10, 2008

Eagles Season Not Over Yet

Key Game vs Washington Could Decide It

Last night at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles faced a huge game. It was a border line must win game in the 10th week of the season. They had the division leading New York Giants at their house. A chance to pull to within one game. A chance to pick up a game on every team in the division. 

And they blew it. 

Now, with 7 games to go, the Eagles are 3 games behind the Giants. The chance to win the division is a long one (though Philadelphia has overtook New York for the divsion lead two seasons in a row- o wait, thats baseball). They are one game behind the Washington Redskins, with one more meeting in Washington later in this season. They are also tied with the Dallas Cowboys, at 5-4.

But despite being 0-3 in the division, the Eagles can still compete for a wild card berth. 

If the season ended today, the top two teams in the NFC would be the Giants and the Carolina Panthers. The other division winners would be the Chicago Bears and the Arizona Cardinals. 

The wild card is where it starts to get tricky. The Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers are all 6-3. The Eagles are tied with the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, all having 5-4 record.

So it all comes down to the next 7 games. These 6 teams will be fighting for 2 playoff spots. Lets look at who they have left on their schedule:

Falcons: The Falcons have there 3 hardest games at home, which is good for them. They have trailed a total of 11 seconds at home- all season. They face Denver, Carolina, Tampa Bay, and St Louis at home. They also have road games agaisnt San Diego, New Orleans and Minnesota. Combined Record: 33-30

Buccaneers: The Bucs still have the Raiders and Lions on their schedule, which should be automatic wins. The hardest game left for them is a trip to Carolina. Combine Record: 28-35

Redskins: The Redskins, coming off a bad lose to the Steelers, have to face the Cowboys next week, with Tony Romo set to return. There other remaining games of notes are a home game vs Philadelphia and a trip to Baltimore. Combined Record: 29-33

Cowboys: Who would have thought after beating Green Bay in week 3, the Cowboys would be last in the NFC East? But here they are. They have trips to Washington, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh still left, as well as home games vs the Ravens and Giants. Combined Record: 35-27

Vikings: The Vikings won a key game yesterday vs the Packers, coming back behind Adrian Peterson to pull above .500. They still have trips to Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, but also get to go to Detroit. There game agaisnt the Giants is the last week of the season, and the Giants could be playing for nothing at that point. Combined Record: 34-28

Eagles:  Lets look at the Eagles Schedule more in depth: 
At Bengals: While the Cowboys and the Redskins play next week, the Eagles get to visit the Bengals. That means they will either be tied for second with the Redskins, or be able to put the Cowboys out of their playoff picture. No way the Eagles lose to the Bengals.

At Baltimore: They will face old Special Teams Coach John Harbaugh, but more importantly, rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. The Eagles fair well agaisnt rookie quaterbacks, so this should be a win.

Cardinals: On a short week, the Eagles face the Cardinals on Thanksgiving Night. The Cardinals are talented, but they are not close to the same team on the road that they are at home. I don't see the Cardinals coming into Philadelphia and winning a huge game like this. 

At Giants: The Eagles will need this one more then the Giants. But that was the case last night to. But this one is in New York. Lets put this one down as a lose.

Cleveland: The Browns have been a dissapointment this season, and have a horrible defense. They also have a rookie quarterback, so I don't see the Eagles winning this one.

At Washington: The Redskins dominated the Eagles last time they played. This game will be huge. But the Eagles have not won a game in the division so far, and I don't see them going 0-6 in the division. On a limb, lets put this down as a win.

Dallas: This one could be sweet. The last game of the season could either be a chance to put the Cowboys super bowl dreams to rest by knocking them out of the playoffs, at the same time we clinch a spot. Or, it could be last game Donovan McNabb plays as an Eagle. The Eagles win this one.

Combined Record: 34-28

What does all this add up to? The Cowboys, who have the hardest schedule out of all the teams, will not even make the playoffs, after starting the season as Super Bowl favorites. The Vikings, another dark horse Super Bowl pick, have the second hardest schedule, as well as the majority on the road. I don't see them getting into the playoffs.

That leaves the Eagles, Redskins, Bucs and Falcons. The Bucs have the easiest schedule, with the teams left on their schedule a combined 7 games under .500. It would be surprising if they didn't make it in. The Falcons, have been a feel good story, but face a harder schedule, as well as the pressure that will be put on rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. I hope they get in over the Bucs, and I think they could, but with trips to San Diego and Minnesota, I don't see it.

That leaves the Eagles and Redskins. If the Eagles can win key games agaisnt the Redskins and Ravens (both winnable games), they could go 6-1 down the stretch. That would obviously put them in. The Redskins have the easier schedule, but not by much. I think it will all come down to December 21, 1 PM, Eagles at Redskins. A lose their would make it hard to get in. 

So while the lose last night hurt, it did not end the season. A favorable schedule down the stretch, combined with a big win in Washington would mean the Eagles will be in the Playoffs. 

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