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?

Playoffs!

And for the first time in a long time, I can add that exclamation point at the end of "Playoffs." Of course, I'm referring to the start of the NBA Playoffs, which kick off on Saturday on ABC/ESPN. This year looks like it could be a contest for the ages in both the Western and Eastern Conferences. (We'll just ignore that Atlanta-Boston series that will be pretty much a lock to be a sweep in Boston's favor). The biggest problem the Western Conference teams will have this year is not beating the hell out of each other to get to the Finals and then losing because they're so worn out. The teams in the West are so closely packed together in the standings that any "upset" is completely feasible and will not shock at all.

The series to watch in the first round will be the Phoenix/San Antonio contest, which will more than likely go to seven games. The Suns are finally adapting to the addition of Shaquille O'Neal and are playing great basketball right now, while the defending champion Spurs are starting to show their age and have been sputtering as of late, mainly due to the health of Manu Ginobili. It will be a knock down drag out battle as these two teams have become bitter rivals over the course of the last few years.

In the East, the best first round series will probably be Washington/Cleveland, but the one I'll be watching is Philadelphia/Detroit. As a Sixers fan, I'm ecstatic that they're back in the playoffs, but not too thrilled with the fact that they going in on a four game slide. I'm a realistic fan and I know that the Sixers basically have little chance of upending the Pistons, but the two teams split their regular season series with the Sixers taking the last two games and aside from the recent slump, Philly has been playing great ball since the All Star break. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sixers push this series to six games, but of course, I'm praying for an upset.

Since I'm a Philly man, I'm also looking to see how the Denver Nuggets do against the Lakers in their first round series. It would be great to see Allen Iverson wipe that smug grin off of Kobe Bryant's face, but with 'Melo collecting a recent DUI rap, the Nuggets look like they may be headed for an early exit. Still, a guy can dream, right?

All in all, this season has got me excited for basketball again. I think the last time I was this interested in the NBA Playoffs was when the Sixers went on their inexplicable Finals run in 2001, only to lose to the indomitable Lakers. As the years have gone on, I've become more of a football fan than a basketball fan, but from now until June, all that changes.