FanNation - The Republic of Sport

BSchwartz07 said 09/16, 08:45 AM
I will not sit here and say that the Eagles are not a playoff contender, that they are. BUT, and this is a huge but, there are a few things working against them.

#1- Defense wins championships. It has been said time and time again, and I can???t think of a better example than to take a look at the NY Giants taking the title last year. Offense puts fans in the seats but if you can???t stop the other team you are not a legit title contender. That said I do not think that a game where your team gives up 41 is an example of them showing they can win a title.

#2- You HAVE to win the close ones. Another clich?? line, but it is true. When a game gets close you get to see what a team is really made of, the Cowboys showed that they can come back and win from behind. The Eagles blew that lead. Again not a sign of a championship team.

#3- McNabb looked great???. But for how long? I cannot remember the last time McNabb actually played a full season at 100%, I will give you that last night was encouraging, I am just not sold on him staying healthy. To be honest his ability to stay on his feet after a hit just makes him susceptible to taking more hits.

BSchwartz07 said 09/16, 10:09 AM
Make excuses all you want, when an NFL team allows 40+ points your defense is sorry. Say what you will about your LB core or a change in the secondary, all I can say is 40+ points and 380 yards of total offense.

Now that we are back to reality take a look at why the Eagles are not in such great shape after all.

-They are currently a game behind both the Giants AND the Cowboys right now, and it is not like things are going to get easy for the Eagles. They face the Steelers next week and a much improved Bears team the week after. Not THAT unlikely that they Eagles could be 1-3 two weeks from now.

-Also, taking a look at your claim that the Eagles are all of the sudden the second best team in the NFC??? not so fast. There are 5 teams with better records. If anything you have to think that the Panthers look AMAZING with wins over two solid teams WITHOUT their top player in Steve Smith. And the Packers are looking like they may have made the right call at QB.

I know the Eagles did not look bad last night, but blowing a 9 point lead, losing a divisional game, and allowing 41 points is NO REASON to celebrate. By NO means has me sold on them as a title team right now.

BSchwartz07 said 09/16, 11:23 AM
You mention the Panther's flaw being that their QB may not stay healthy, well let me throw a stat at you. The LAST TIME MCNABB PLAYED A FULL SEASON WAS 2003. That was SIX YEARS AGO!!! Add to that in McNabb's 10 seasons in the league he has played only 3 full seasons. This means that 70% of his career he has NOT been able to complete a season. Again do NOT put all of your eggs in the "McNabb will be there all year" basket.

Next you say that other teams have rookies on their squad. I mean not all rookies play like your boy Jackson, they usually know to hold on to the ball until they are in the end zone so I am not really seeing the issue here.

I like how you did not even mention the Giants in your argument, truth is if I were pulling for the Eagles I wouldn't either. Their D looks good, and Eli for some reason has become a VERY good QB.

It is early to pick Super Bowl favorites, but for now I will lean towards teams that win those close divisional games. And ones that actually prove that they can do more than capitalize on a few busted plays.