As I write this morning, the Eagles are 8-1 after their tremendous victory over Denver yesterday. The Birds stand as the best team in the entire NFL. They are on the verge of capturing the NFC East crown, and a playoff bye and home field advantage. Talk of making it to the Super Bowl is real-stuff now. There is so much to look forward to in the weeks to come. And the holidays will be even more fun and exciting, thanks to our Philadelphia football team.
Let's go week-by-week and size up the season so far:
Week 1-Win at Washington
There were some who thought the Eagles would lose this opener, a division game at Washington. The Redskins have had the Birds' number recently. But the eagles managed a rather comfortable win to go 1-0
Week 2- Loss at Kansas City
The second of two road games to open the season. The eagles were actually tied at Arrowhead in the 4th quarter before the Chiefs pulled away. For some reason, running back LaGarrette Blount never touched the ball. 1-1 record.
Week 3- Win vs New York Giants
The home opener had the Eagles flying out to an early lead. Coach Pederson made a controversial 4th-and-8 decision near mid-field late in the first half. The eagles almost let this key divisional game slip away late, until rookie kicker Jake Elliot unexpectedly made a 61-yard field goal as time expired to give the Eagles the win. I think it was the play that turned the season around and gave Philly a 2-1 record.
Week 4- Win at LA Chargers
Yet another road game. Eagles fans took over the small soccer stadium in Los Angeles and the Birds, who some thought may get upset in a trap game to the then winless Chargers, went to 3-1.
Week 5- Win vs Arizona
The Eagles totally dominated the Cardinals and the feeling started to grow that something special was happening at the Linc. 4-1.
Week 6- Win at Carolina
A Thursday night affair that proved to the country- and to the Eagles themselves- that they were real, beating the Panthers on their home turf (off a short week, no less). 5-1,with 4 road games down.
Week 7- Win vs Washington
A sweep of the Redskins, who really needed the game to stay in touch in NFC East. Monday night, with 11 days rest, and the Birds move to 6-1
Week 8- Win vs San Francisco
Game 2 of a 3 game home stand. No letdown as the eagles crushed the out maned 49'ers in a steady rain. 7-1
Week 9- Win vs Denver
Yesterday's 51-23 blow-out put the Eagles at 8-1 going into their bye week- and also put them at another level, destroying one of the leagues' top defenses in the process.
An exciting, unpredictable first half of the season. not even the most loyal Eagles fan could have imagined an 8-1 start
A key game at Dallas awaits in two weeks. The Bears at home should be a win. Then comes the dreaded 3-game road trip, two of them on the west coast, playing the always-tough Seahawks and the surprising Rams.
A second game against the Giants, even though it is in New York, so be a win, as the Giants have nothing to play for, even now. Christmas night at Lincoln Financial Field will be a party with the Raiders, and especially meaningful if Oakland somehow climbs back into playoff contention.
A New Year's Eve clash with the Cowboys remains a mystery. Will it be flexed to Sunday night or remain art 1:00? Will it mean the division or will the Eagles rest their starters, the division crown and a playoff berth already wrapped up? Will there be more fights in the stands then on the field? And will the fans have more reason to party other then the beginning of a brand new year?
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