- The Eagles play yet another must-win game today at home vs Houston. I can only imagine the reception QB Nick Foles will get from the frenzied fans when he is introduced. Will he conjure up more magic today, starting at 1:00?
Most local experts are picking the Birds to win ( including yours truly, 23-20 Eagles). All are forgetting that this Texan team is good, 10-4 and possibly in line for a first-round playoff bye. They have weapons on both offense and defense, with DeAndre Hopkins at receiver, and J.J. Watt at defensive tackle.
Philly needs the game more. Plus playing at the Linc will help. Houston is a dome team playing in the chilly afternoon. All adds up to advantage Eagles.
Of course, turnovers and penalties will be key. Kicker Jake Elliot needs to be good, as a tight game is expected. The Birds' defense needs to contain Houston quarterback Watson and not let him run wild. The Eagles always seem to have problems with mobile QBs.
With Washington losing on Saturday ( they fall to 7-8) it's another good sign for Philadelphia. Minnesota must lose either today at Detroit or next week at home against the Bears. Beating the Texans this afternoon is key, as the Eagles play in Washington next week to close out the regular season. Beating the Redskins is certainly do-able.
Baltimore beat the Chargers last night in a key AFC battle. The Ravens are in line to win AFC North now. Pittsburgh can lose today in New Orleans. Baltimore plays at home next week against the Browns. The Steelers finish at home with the Bengals.Meanwhile, Los Angeles hopes that Kansas City loses at Seattle this weekend.
- Carter Hart is human. The Flyers' rookie goaltender won his first two games as a pro this week until he lost, 4-3 to Columbus yesterday afternoon. Still, Hart gives flyers' fans some hope for a bright future.
- In the second half of a doubleheader on Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center the Sixers defeated a depleted Toronto Raptors squad. Kawhi Leonard sat out for "rest." That was an odd decision against a division rival. The 76ers move to 22-12, the NO. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference.
- The Phillies played host to free agent visitor Manny Machado on Thursday. They had a four hour meeting with Machado ( after they finally let him in the door after a brief but awkward delay.Machado is back in Miami to weigh his decision, which hopefully will be announced around the new year.
Meanwhile, with the Dodgers big trade with the Reds, sending outfielders Puig and Kemp to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey and prospects, they are clearing the decks for free agent Bryce Harper. If Machado goes to the Yankees ( his favorite boyhood team) it will be a disappointing blow to Phillies management and the fans.But the Phils can over-spend on Machado, offering him more money and more years ( 10 years as opposed to New York's reported offer of 8 years).
Otherwise, a lefty reliever ( Zach Britton) and another starter ( Mike minor) are needed. If Machado is not signed or won't play third base, Franco should be traded and perhaps Mike Mousakis should be signed for a year. There's more work to do, as the rest of the National League East has improved.
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