Can Birds Win Out?

It's a simple question, one that is probably eating away at the back of some fans' minds.  Was last Thursday's impressive win against Arizona the beginning of an unbelievable turnaround, or just a matter of catching the right opponent at the right time?

The thing is, they've done this type of thing before.  When McNabb went down in '06, few people gave the Eagles a prayer of making the playoffs.  Sitting at 5-6 and coming off of some real beatdowns against Tennessee and Indianapolis, who would have thought a hard fought win on Monday Night against the Panthers would lead to a sweep of the NFC East... on the road!

The biggest difference is Jeff Garcia was at the helm then, but the change at quarterback also brought about a different philosophy.  The Eagles worked from a more balanced offense, not unlike the one we just watched against the Cardinals, and the reason for their turnaround had as much to do with Westbrook's strong finish as anything else.  If they did it with Garcia, they can do it with McNabb.

The Eagles have lost their three division games by 4, 5, and 6 points so far this season.  With a manageable game against Cleveland tucked in the middle of the upcoming set, it's entirely possible they could run the table again, and if somehow they do sneak into the playoffs, who knows what could happen.

Maybe it was too soon to count them out.  Do you believe?

Comments

[MarkE]

I've been thinking about this more than a grown man should. As of right now, I don't believe. But if they somehow get past the Giants this weekend, I will shift columns 100%. Unfortunately, even if they win out they'll still probably need the Falcons to lose two out of four, and one of those games is against the Rams. Goddamn tie.

[Gerry]

If it weren't for the tie, I'd believe.

[Brendan]

It depends what offensive philosophy the birds choose. If they do have a balance attack and win the turnover battle, they can do it, but the question in my mind is, how can this team win the last 4 after what we saw from them all year???

[David F.]

If we beat the Giants then it is a possibility, but even if we win out we still would have a pretty slim chance of slipping in. Therefore as of now I feel like we have a 5% chance of making the playoffs.

[zfg]

The "good" thing about this is that the hardest game is the first of the must-wins for the Eagles. Obviously if the Birds lose this game, it's all over, but if they win it at least we'll know they can win the next 3. Of course, that's not saying that they will, just that I'd rather the must-win stretch start with a good opponent rather than building my hope up against cupcakes only to get destroyed in the last 2 weeks.

[DLo34]

Yes they can win out. However this is the pivotal game. Washington and Dallas are totally beatable and all have shown their weaknesses. Cleveland is Cleveland. The Giants however have been close to invincible this year, with a very deep team on both sides of the football. If they win this week, I give them a 50/50 shot at getting into the playoffs.

How great would it be to host a win and in game against the Cowgirls on the last day of the season?

Old News:

"Maybe it was too soon to count them out" is exactly why McNabb should've played the second half in Baltimore.

[joe l]

Crazy prediction: Birds upset the Giants, but then go on to lose at least two remaining games in typical let down fashion.

[MikeY]

@ DLo34:

"Cleveland is Cleveland"

...yeah, but Cincinnati was also Cincinnati, and you saw what happened there.

/not a believer...is it April yet?

[Jeffrey]

Believe? Not really. Thinking we can win games and thinking we will are not the same things.

[ron]

no they cannot.
they have lost 3 consecutive division games.
i have no faith in them and don't believe they can beat all three division teams in the span of a month.

[Joe Manning]

I don't think they can win-out ...

But I never thought the Phillies could win the World Series either.

[JimMc]

For some bizarre reason, I do believe. And that was before I knew about McNabb's twins. Something tells me they're going to win Sunday, and if they do that they run the table.

[Bob]

Sure they can....the Giants are due for a letdown. The Cleveland game, unlike the Cincy game is at home. Remember in the Cincy game the Eagles didn't need the desperation. They sure as hell need it now. I live in DC right now and the Redskins offense couldn't score on North Catholic's defense (WE ARE NC!). The Dallas game at home, week 17. Wouldn't that be fun. Atlanta is perfectly capable of falling apart, so is Tampa for that matter. Just win and worry about the rest later. If you dont believe, don't watch.

[bizurk]

Wow, is this really a Philly sports blog? Where's the negativity?

I'll always believe, but I'm not anticipating too much at this point. A win in the Meadowlands could conceivably be a win that turns it all around. We really need the Big Kid back on the field, but I don't think that's happening any time soon.

It's football, their best game can beat each remaining opponent. Of course, with the worst they've shown us, they could lose each one 42-0. In Jersey, it's all about run defense, OL pass protection, and Andy Reid making a good decision or two.....

"Maybe it was too soon to count them out" is exactly why McNabb should've played the second half in Baltimore.
+1

That was an awful stretch from big 5, but he's bounced back before and KK has never really shown much more than the potential to be an adequate backup.

I would welcome a turnaround not just because I'm a lifelong fan, but such a run might quiet the boo-birds. LOL about the skins being unable to score on NC.

[Lenny]

When do pitchers and catchers report?

[Joey36]

I agree this week is huge against the giants however i predict a birds victory

Eagles 28
Giants 24

It will be a hard fought smash mouth NFC East style game. The next game against Cleveland is a given

Browns 16
Eagles 31

The birds will pretty much dominate the Browns. The next week against the Redskins woulnt be as hard as people though, Campbell is struggling and the redskins arent playing well overall.

Eagles 27
Redskins 17

The week we have all been waiting for Cowgirl week. I think that Dallas is deffinatly beatable and homefield will give the Birds the edge.

Cowgirls 16
Eagles 24

[stevefredericks]

10-5-1 would be the best record ever to miss the playoffs

[Vicky]

@ Lenny: I think they report on Valentine's Day.

[Westbrook's jockstrap]

http://ihateuashley.com/?id=iha6cv8zwngsa4ec807uhebi8rv663

[Win]

It depends mostly on luck and good coaching. I don't know if the Eagles have either. But I definately agree that there are two things that definitely need to be done, 1 is balancing the attack, and 2 is letting McNabb scramble a little. I know hes getting old and injury prone, but he still is fast enough to make a big play or 2 and that will force defences to not cover which is half of why the pass heavy is failing.

[MikeY]

@ Vicky:

You are correct.

[hennessey]

i just don't see the eagles making the playoffs. nfc south teams have better record and are playing weaker opponents. need a lot of help...

[DLo34]

@ MikeY

Question was "can" they. I believe they "can" win out. And Cleveland is Cleveland, the Eagles "can" beat Cleveland just as they "can" beat Cinci. The word "can" deals with ability. This team has the ability to beat the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, and Dallas Cowboys. Talent wise, they have the ability to beat these teams, the only missing variable in this equation is will the Eagles play to it's potential?

@ All The Haters

By saying they "can't" you are saying it is an impossibility. With the parity in the NFL and even with the lack of parity in college football teams week to week always have a chance to win, no matter what, see Giants v. Patriots and Appalachian State v. U Mich. or Stanford v. USC. And those games were defying big odds on their own, the Eagles are playing teams where the line will be less than 10 points. Saying they "can't" means you honestly believe something is impossible, not just improbable, but impossible. Therefore, I think anyone who says they "can't" is fundamentally wrong, because they are saying it is possible for this team to win 4 games in a row. If you say they "will not" then that is your prediction, which is much more credible than saying something is a statistical impossibility.

We're talking about winning four football games in a row here, not proving Einstein's theory of relativity, bringing the unemployment rate to 0%, or dividing a number by zero (which only Cole Hamels can do). To say a pro team cannot accomplish this goal is kind of sad that you have such a bleak outlook on life. If you think a pro football team winning four games in a row is impossible, I wonder what else in your life you think is impossible?

Or is it that you don't want to hope that it is possible? You don't want to get your hopes up just have them crushed? Come on, if it's that, then man the fuck up. Haven't the Phillies taught you fans anything about "impossibilities" and what people/team's can and cannot do?

Furthermore, if you believe they "can't" why would you watch any of the games? Just so you can come on this site after the game and bitch about the team that you "knew" would lose?

[stevefredericks]

Dlo, that might be the best comment ive ever seen on this site