Nutty Optimist Continued

Here's my response to my friend's comments about the Eagles' prospects for the rest of the year.

All I'm saying is that the Eagles
aren't eliminated from the playoff hunt just yet. That Monday's game is
huge in so many ways. I think if they win, their chances improve
disproportionately more than just getting the single W. If they manage
to get into the playoffs that it is a crapshoot as to how far they can
go because of the parity/mediocrity of the emerging nfc playoff teams.

I would be very happy making the divisional round. Ecstatic to GET to the
championship game. It is beyond expectations to go to the Super Bowl,
but even if they did I would fully expect them to be absolutely smoked
by the Colts. Like Denver smoked. 55-10.

This season was lost when McNabb got the hernia. End of story. It's a
letdown in the sense that there were high expectations coming off the
super bowl and given the mediocrity of the conference, but can you
really be disappointed with the season given the losses to injury? It's
a missed opportunity only if McNabb was healthy. In some weird way, it
may have been a blessing in disguise. They now see the deficiencies in
the team: d-line, LB, WR and can move to fix them in the offseason and
gear up for next year. All while getting some quality looks at young
guys now: Herremans, Hood, Moats, Brown.

Still. They've got a punchers chance to make the playoffs, which given
the season so far would be a terrific accomplishment in and of itself.

Also, my point wasn't they could get "hot." If they finish strong they
will have a 10-6 record. No matter what you say or how they got there,
that is a legitimate playoff record. Of the super bowl teams you cite,
the 2001 Pats had an 11-5 record. I think they did get "hot" when Brady
took over at QB and got some games under his belt. They only had #2 seed
cause they won tiebreaker vs. 11-5 Dolphins.

In 2002, the Raiders had an 11-5 record in a year where the AFC had a
lot of parity. They also started the season 4-4.

The 2003 Panthers were 11-5 but played in the wildcard round. They beat
dallas at home (an overrated dallas team) and then beat the Rams and
Eagles on the road!

I just don't see a dominant team in the nfc that would be a prohibitive
favorite in all of their playoff games. Favored yes. Likely winners,
yes. But not like 14-2 or 13-3 dominant.

IF - a big if - they could get into the playoffs I would probably equate
it to the year they beat Tampa and then beat a wildly overrated 13-3
Bears team. They lost the following week to St.L, but it was a fun and
somewhat unexpected ride. Do you remember the surprise at leading at
halftime?

Of course, this is all moot if they can't beat Seattle Monday. And the
Dallas game will continue to haunt them no matter what.