What a Game!

The Philadelphia Eagles put together their most complete game of the season at the exact right time they needed it and, thanks to losses by Chicago and Tampa Bay, roared into the 2008 Playoffs with a 44-6 thrashing of their hated rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.

Okay, that's the impartial part of the post, so now let's get to the shameless gloating: This was the greatest football game I've ever seen, so good that I'm contemplating watching it again on DVR. I was amazed that the stars aligned for the Eagles and allowed them to once again control their own destiny after the turd they laid on the field in Washington last week, but there was no doubt in my mind that they would knock the Cowboys out of the playoffs, denying them a win in Philadelphia. The Eagles' players did not know they had a chance to go to the playoffs until right before the start of the game and I could tell that while that information more than likely led them to kick their game into another gear, they already were playing for pride and had an "if we're not going, neither are you," attitude. Of course, it seemed as if the Cowboys didn't even show up to play.

The Eagles' offense was clicking early, capitalizing on Dallas turnovers and scoring three offensive touchdowns to put the 'Boys down 27-3 at the half. Then, Safety Brian Dawkins and the Philly defense went off, forcing two crucial fumbles on beleagured Dallas quarterback Tony Romo and running back Marion Barber that the Eagles ran back for touchdowns, putting Dallas in a 41-3 hole before McNabb and the offense had even stepped on the field for the second half. For an Eagles fan, it was a thing of sheer beauty and an example of what this team can accomplish when they hit on all cylinders.

The Eagles' win was the most lopsided loss that the Cowboys have ever received and for Eagles fans, it was all the sweeter that Philly's victory came against Terrell Owens and the Cowboys, a team that has flopped late in the season once again and is never worthy of all the praise they receive every year, only to come up short in the end. So, of course, all the press the day after is about "What's Wrong with the Cowboys?" when it should be "What's Right with the Eagles?"

Five weeks ago, the Eagles, and especially their quarterback, Donovan McNabb, were left for dead with no thoughts at all to the post season. Now, after winning 4 of their last 5 games (with all the wins coming in convincing fashion), the Eagles are right in the thick of things and are considered to be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs. Lest football fans forget that the current Super Bowl champs, the NY Giants, took a similar path to their own championship last year. So, the Eagles are playing well at the right time and are looking to go deep into the postseason. Their first challenge comes next Sunday at Minnesota against a Vikings team that had a few chances to clinch their division and finally got it right the last game of the season...against the Giants (mostly) second string team...and they only won by 2 points. So, I like the Eagles chances to win at the very least, that first game, setting up a third 2008 season match up with the Giants. It'll be interesting to see how they do, but if they play the way they did against Dallas this past Sunday, I don't think anyone can beat them.

How 'bout them Cowboys?