• March 28, 2024

If Birds Can Win Their Games, The Playoffs Aren’t Out Of The Question

That was a wild one last night between the Giants and the Cowboys. It finished the way the Eagles needed it to.  The Birds goal is to finish the season at (8-8) and have the Cowboys and Giants finish with the same record or less.

The Eagles are currently in third place in the division with a (5-8) record.  They must win the remaining three games to get to a .500 record.  The Cowboys and the Giants must do no better than 1-2 in their remaining games.

Their remaining schedule is as follows.  Next weekend they host the (8-5) New York Jets.  The week after they go to Dallas to play the (7-6) Cowboys.  Then they finish up at home against the (4-9) Washington Redskins.

As for the Cowboys, next week they play the (4-9) Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The week after they host the (5-8) Eagles, then they finish up against the (7-6) Giants in North Jersey.

Here’s the Giants schedule the rest of the way.  They play the (4-9) Washington Redskins.  Next up they battle their crosstown rival New York Jets, then finish up by hosting the Cowboys.

There’s no question that both the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants could lose two of their last three games.  The hardest thing to imagine in this next stretch is the Eagles winning their next three games.  Yes, they beat the Dolphins but the fact that Pro Bowl offensive tackle Jake Long went down, so they weren’t able to protect their quarterback, Matt Moore made things much easier for the Eagles defense.

Next week’s games could help the Birds enormously.  If the Eagles beat the Jets, then the Cowboys lose to the Buccaneers and the Giants lose to the Redskins next week, you know the Birds are sitting a great position to make the playoffs.

GCOBB

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paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 10:29 am

This Team and Franchise do not deserve to make the Playoffs
When you go 1-3 versus the NFC West Division, you remain at home for the Playoffs, When you are 1-8 in your last 9 Home games, you do not deserve to make the Playoffs. When you 15-15 over your last 30 Football Games, you are medicore and don’t deserve the Playoffs.. I know that’s why you play the games that are on the schedule, but does anyone really think this Team, it’s Coaches,Players & Front Office deserve to go the Playoffs this Season..

Everz11
Everz11
December 12, 2011 10:51 am

No P-man, I dont think they deserve to make the playoffs. I do however love to watch Dallas lose. I especially enjoy when the camera pans to Jerry Jones for the 20th time in a game to get his reaction after a loss in that obnoxious stadium. Unfortunately, Dallas is playing a TB team that just gave up 41 pts to the Jags. So lets calm down with the Eagles making the playoffs. Lets just evaluate the skill sets of the players on this team, improve in the off-season and come back for a better 2012, hopefully rid of the many maddening tennants of this regime.

Average_Joseph
Average_Joseph
December 12, 2011 10:52 am

paulman,

Though I agree with you wholeheartedly, if (and that is a huge, huge “if”) the Eagles get in the playoffs, couldn’t the same argument be made about both the Cowboys and Giants? If both of those teams can’t beat out the Eagles for a playoff berth, then how bad are they? Bottom line is, none of the scenarios that let the Eagles win the division will happen.

Just an Average_Joseph

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 10:53 am

Felt the same way when Arizona went 9-7 and hosted the NFCC game against the 9-6-1 wild card eagles – and those 9-7 Cardinals sure scared the hell out of the Steelers….

didn’t the Packers make it in as the #6 seed last year?

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 11:08 am

No way in hell the Eagles could win out and no way in hell the Cowboys lose to the Bucs or the Giants lose to Washington.

greenfan
greenfan
December 12, 2011 11:26 am

As much as this team drives me crazy…and I desperately want to see a total change in the Coaching and DRAFTING of this team…I still cannot root against them. I watched the whole game yesterday…I still watch other games with an eye on how it affects the Birds…..backing into the playoffs would probably insure that AR is back, but it would also mean another week of Eagle Football.

tkotanch
tkotanch
December 12, 2011 11:56 am

I’m so glad we traded up in the draft and took Brandon Graham over JPP…Not!

schiller
schiller
December 12, 2011 11:58 am

Paul, what’s with your alternative realities. If the Eagles make the playoffs, they deserve to be in the playoffs. if not, they don’t. That’s it. Why create make believe systems? If the Cowboys or Giants deserve to be in the playoffs more than the Eagles, then they’ll win 2 and 3 games respectively. Period. If not, then the Eagles deserve to be in the playoffs.

Why can’t you just accept facts and reality as is? Because you didn’t create them?

Btc – how can you say that after being an NFL fan in the past decade. Because you’ve watched and everything has turned out chalk? No surprises? No shockers? no parity in the league? what planet do you live on?

I’m not saying it will happen,but it seems like if I slapped you on the face, a minute later you’d be liable to say ‘no way in hell you could ever slap me in the face’.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 12:17 pm

Sorry shiller, I’m just a realist. I’d be more than happy to place a wager on whether or not it will happen. Could it happen? Of course it could. But will it? Of course not.

haveacigar
haveacigar
December 12, 2011 12:21 pm

“PLAYOFFS?” “PLAYOFFS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?” “PLAYOFFS?”

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 12:30 pm

The Eagles have no chance to make the playoffs. Yesterday, they could have easily lost the game if Miami wasn’t terrible. The play calling sucked as usual and the offense was atrocious in the second half. Vick was his typical inconsistent self. I was so pissed when I turned on the tv at 4:30 to watch real football and found out that they won. They just fell four spots in the draft with that win. They will also beat the Skins in a meaningless game that the Skins will smartly play to lose and fall further in the draft to end up around 14th to 16th with a 6-10 record. How anyone could think this team has a chance is the height of absurd. And I suppose that 6-10 will be good enough to keep Reid around for one more season. But like I said Friday, given they have to pay him anyway and few coaches will want the job being stuck with Vick, maybe keeping him makes sense for one more year.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 12:33 pm

Couldn’t agree more jbird.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 12:33 pm

I think the entire NFC East Division should play in the NCAA Big-East Conference.. The Giants are probably the best all-around team and have the best QB, WR’s and DL in the NFC East..Their Secondary stinks, their Special teams stink and their OL is average..
Cowboys lost RB D Murray which hurts, have a potent Offense but their Defense is not very good either and especially their Secondary..

I think the Giants could compete better with the Saints/Packers/49ers since they are the most physical team in the NFC East as opposed to the Cowboys & Eagles who play too soft

tonto5
tonto5
December 12, 2011 12:37 pm

i can see it now….Eagles finish strong, barely make playoffs, we win our first playoff games and lose to Packers by a TD and Navy and Schiller will say,,,,,see ,Andy did it again!!!! we made playoffs again with him,,,u wait till next year, he’s our man…..year after year after year …………

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 12:39 pm

Who knows what small DT with a high motor should be available with the 16th pick. Or maybe we will take the LB from Notre Dame that everyone projects as a second rounder. He is perfect for us. He does everything well but is not outstanding in any area. He is average size and a little on the slow side. He has no play making ability and does not force turn overs so that would be the perfect pick. Or option C, they draft another smurfy WR to replace the jettisoned D Jack. Another 6′, 195 lb WR thats fast with average hands that is not much of a RZ target. Anyone have the guys in mind for these potential draft choices??

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 12:40 pm

schiller is the biggest homer. It’s ridiculous.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 12:42 pm

Coach Ar is back either ay fellas,
He will not get fired after 1 poor season after making the the playoffs 9 out of the last 12 Seasons and has made a ton of $$ for Owner Lurie,Banner & Co
Now 2012 is another story , The Staff is signed thru 2012 Already and Coach Ar thru 2013, but mark next Seasons as the do or die Season for Coach AR..
With their schedule next Season, I am predicting a 7-8 Win Season where they actually can play better Footbal, but still end up with a similar record as this season due to playing a much more difficult scheudle and against more physical teams that they don’t match up so well against..
4 games versus the AFC North Division (Steelers,Ravens,Bengals & Browns)
4 games versus the NFC South (Saints,Falcons,Panthers, TB Bucs)
6 games vs their usual 6 NFC East Oppnents
2 Games versus the 3rd Place teams from the NFC North (Bears) and NFC West (Seahawks or Cardinals)

So we have 1 more year to endure Coach AR and his genius,adget, high-schoolish set of plays and system..

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 12:45 pm

Anyone here remember the Marion Campbell Era?? Well for those that do, the next five years will seem familiar. I see this team being weak for a long time. No young prospects on defense, these baffoons blowing another draft, stuck with an average QB for at least two more years. Another dark chapter in Eagles history is about to be written.

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 12:46 pm

Paulman, I feel the same as you about this team but the teams that get in the playoffs deserve to be in. Period. If the Giants and Cowboy falter at the end of the season and let the Eagles take the division then going by your logic no team in the NFC East “deserves” to be in the playoffs. But the only that actually matters is the record. The teams that deserve to be in, will get in. having said that, expecting the Cowboys to lose 2 more and Giants to lose 2 while winning your remaining 3 games just makes me feel we won’t make it. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised either way. Just fall short or get knocked out first round. Same ol same ol. The funny part is I have more faith that the Cowboys and Giants can lose 4 more games between the 2 of them then I do about us winning the last 3.

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 12:48 pm

Paulman….the best part is that 8-8 will be good enough to let him finish out his contract in 2013. Now I know you have the guys in the draft that I referred to above. Give me the names of our potential losers so we can have some fun.

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 12:50 pm

LOL @ NCAA Big-East Conference….. I feel you on that Paulman. I was just talking to my boy yesterday about this. We talking about the Cowboys and Giants games and he’s like “man, I don’t even know why I’m watching this, doesn’t matter to me”. I told him that we needed the Giants to win. He was like “you still have hope, huh”. I said “nothing else to do, and whole division sucks anything can happen with these garbage teams”.

I mean, realistically I don’t think we have a real chance. But just looking at our division just made me laugh. I remember when the NFC East was the best division in football. We can’t even be the West and that’s saying something.

Iggles
Iggles
December 12, 2011 12:51 pm

Yeah JBird, I remember Campbell era, and that of Williams, McCormack, Kuharich, Skorich, etc. The worst scenario is for this team to back into playoffs or win any more games. The Vick you see now is the real Vick, not the one you saw for a while last year. We desperately need a top QB pick followed by LB’s and secondary and a big WR, otherwise as you state, Eagles outlook is desolate and desperate.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 12:55 pm

**Breaking News**
KC Chiefs fired HC Todd Haley effective immediately and have named DC Romeo Crennell as the Interim HC for remainder of the Season.. which caught me by surprise since the Chiefs lost 3-4 good young players for the Season right from the get go (TE Moeaki,S Eric Berry, RB J Charles and then QB M Casell) it”s not like they had a lot to work with… (Probably something else going on behind the scense and Haley is kind of a renegade and likes to do things his way which doesn’t really fit the KC Chief Model real well)

SOme Draft news too..

MLB Teo’ from Ntre DAme stated yesterday that he is going back for his Senior Season at Notre Dame and won’t be in this 2012 Draft
OT Kalil from USC has also Stated that he intends to go back to USC for his Senior Season..

The Eagles will probably beat the Skins (who are in the QB Derby and will lose their remainig games to be in better position for Barkley) and beat the Cowboys to finish at 7-9 placing them between the 14th-18th Selection..
I see them going for Safety Mark Barron from Alabama, MLB Buechley from Boston College or DL players from Illinois or Clemson..

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 12:55 pm

scorpio….ironically the best case scenario would have been for the Cowboys to have won last night. Then all you would need is for them to have a letdown game against Tampa. Much more likely scenario. Dallas is bad road team on a short week and Tampa would get fired up after their embarrassing loss to Jax and play it like it was their SB in their also very disappointing season. No way Tampa wins now though and hell will freeze over before Giants lose at home to the Skins when they are back in control of their destiny. I believe they will lose to the Jets though so a loss last night would have had them on the ropes. Besides, I hate the Giants worse than Dallas anyway so I was hoping they would get the death blow last night.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 12:55 pm

That’s alirght Tonto 5 – I can see the eagles winning an away game with a dominant defensive effort and scoring 26 points and a whole bunch of ‘Eagle’ fans getting on a web site and bitch bloggin about all the reasons why it really wasn’t a 26-10 win –

and just so we are clear here Tonto – if we had a way back go back machine – when the eagles did finish 9-6-1 and ‘back’ into the playoffs when – no way – like a couple other teams had to lose and no way the were going to lose – and the eagles won in the WC round, and gasp, won in the divisional playoffs – and HOLY SHIT took the lead in th NFCC game – the Eagle fans were very happy – right up until the D couldn’t hold the lead and the O couldn’t rally them back…

so if that scenario were to happen – you are correct Tonto – I would say – Andy got them to the playoffs again – because – well…. THATS WHAT WOULD HAVE JUST HAPPENED – I mean you do want to get into the playoffs right, and you do want to win in the playoffs, and eventually, to get to the SP you are probably going to have to play Green Bay right —–

and yes Tonto – every year – NO MATTER WHO THE EAGLES COACH IS OR WILL BE – I say this is going to be our year – 16-0 and win the SB – I think they call that being a fan – try it – ready – or are you one of those psuedo fans that claim to love the eagles but only ‘in a ‘realist’ sort of way – which is you love them if they are doing, acting and playing like you want them to, but if not, its OK to shit on them?

greenfan
greenfan
December 12, 2011 12:56 pm

Hey J-bird…just asking a question…….you state that you didn’t watch the game…”.tuned in at 4:30 to watch real football and found out they won”…and then go on to say “The play calling sucked as usual and the offense was atrocious in the second half. Vick was his typical inconsistent self.”

What is it?? Did you watch or not? Just looking to complain with made up sh*t or do you actually watch the games?

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 12:59 pm

Eagles will not draft a Safety or LB in the first round of the 2012 draft. That would just make way too much sense. Look for them to take an offensive or defensive lineman where once again, they will out smart themselves and draft a Brandon Graham type bum while leaving someone like Jason Pierre-Paul to be drafted by the Giants and have a Pro Bowl caliber year in each of his first two seasons.

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 1:04 pm

jbrid, if Dallas would have won last night you are then 3 games behind them and need them to lose the last 3 games. Needed them losing 2 out of 3 is better odds. But I still don’t think we’ll get in anyway. And even if we did, I’d expect a first round KO.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 1:07 pm

IF (and that is the biggest if ever) the Eagles got in, they would most likely play the Saints down in New Orleans. Drew Brees would absolutely RAPE our defense.

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:09 pm

Iggles…..the only thing that could be worse to top off this season is if the Eagles draft Robert Griffin III in the first round to groom him as Vick’s replacement. Another strong armed athletic QB who will be mediocre at the pro level. I would take anything but that. Then it will be a decade before we are relevant again.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 1:11 pm

btc – funny – JPP did not have a very impressive rookie season – Graham had a better rookie season then JPP – the issue became that JPP did not blow out his knee and Graham did – so JPP spent all off season prepping and Graham spent it rehabbing – go ahead – now print how much bigger and stronger JPP was/is the Graham – go ahead – oh – too easy – Graham destroyed JPP in the strength events at the combine, came from a much stronger football program, and was exaclty 2 pounds lighter –

3 years people to properly evaluate a draft –

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:12 pm

btc….Actually they would almost certainly play the Falcons because they would get in as the fourth seed and Atl will be top WC (fifth seed) because they beat Detroit head to head. No offense but where do you get Saints?? The Saints will likely have a bye now that San Fran lost this week and still have the Steelers on their schedule.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 1:15 pm

Early Rumours that KC Chiefs are interested in interviewing Eagles O/C MM as a potential HC replacement…Remember when an Assistin Coach on a Staff interviews with antoher team, it has to be as a promotion.. In other words, Coach MM title is Offensive Coordinator/Asst Head Coach, which means he could only leave for a HC Postion with another team and not a lateral move as an OC.. That’s why when pleople throw out names for Eagles to hire a DC, it’s just not that easy.. Current DC’s under contract, could not interview for Eagles DC positon unless it’s a promotion which means a Positon Coach being elevated to a DC or a Coach who is looking for a job and out of work..

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 1:15 pm

guys are too funny – what a huge collective group of whining pussies – ooh – nooo way we get in, but if we do, ooohh we are going to get – lets see – KOd, raped, or lose to GB by a touchdown – one guy actually writes worst case is to win games and back into playoffs – man – I feel like I live in France – quick – see how fast we can surrender!

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:16 pm

Scopio….I see your point. But here is mine if the Giants lost. Dallas has letdown against Tampa and drops a shocker, lose to the Eagles and then lose to Giants in NY to finish 8-8. Giants beat Skins, lose to Jets and then beat Dallas with a chance to still get in and finish 8-8. Don’t you agree that’s easier to see than Dallas losing their third in a row or NYG losing at home to the Skins?

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 1:17 pm

Actually BTC if we got in the playoffs, that would mean that we would have won the division which means a home game. Funny thing, is our home record is terrible.

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:18 pm

green……I can actually read. So it was not necessary to watch. And stop defending them. It makes you look more pathetic than them!

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 1:20 pm

jbird, just looking at it independently, I just think it’s much better odds to need a team to lose 2 out of 3 then 3 straight especially when they are also playing to win the division. I understand what you’re saying, just think it’s less likely to expect a team to lose 3 straight and 2 out of 3 is more feasible. Just my thoughts.

scorpiodsu
scorpiodsu
December 12, 2011 1:22 pm

hey Navy, you ever want something to happen but thought it was a long shot and probably not going to happen? If not, you haven’t lived life.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 1:26 pm

jbird/scorp, my bad. I forgot that if we made the playoffs it would be as a divison winner.

navy, JPP had 4.5 sacks last year compared to Graham’s 3. JPP had a very productive 2nd half of the season so I’m not sure I would say that Graham had a better season. I realize Graham came from a better school but that’s stupid logic. Some of the Eagles’ best players came from shitty or no name schools (Herremans, Asante, Babin, Trent Cole, etc).

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:28 pm

Navy…..I like you man but you are defending a little too assertively this morning. This team does not deserve you coming to their defense. People saying JPP is better than Graham are absolutely correct. They drafted a tweener because they are smarter than everyone and he is now and always will be a bust. He may be even worse than McDougle because he is too slow to play OLB in a 34 and too short and squatty to play DE in a 43. Bad, bad bad pick. I still remember screaming on the phone to my buddy when they made the pick. Sorry Navy, but you are just dead wrong on this one. Take your three years. Hell, I’ll give you five years. He will never amount to anything in the NFL. BUST.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 1:29 pm

Navy, nobody is scared of anything. I think it’s more about it just being very difficult to get excited about this team after one win against the Dolphins. Couple that with the Cowboys and Giants each having to lose 2 of their last 3 and it’s just pointless to get our hopes up. Not sure how that translates to anything related to France. But I certainly respect your effort at making an analogy.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 1:35 pm

Scorp – yep – all the time. And the lesson I learned was you control the things you can control – and go 100% and give it your best effort – and then you let the chips fall where they may. That way, end of the day – I could always look my parents/teachers/coaches/bosses/kids in the eye and say – guys – I gave it my all – just wasn’t meant to be – but if the chance comes up again – I will be ready –

and most importantly – I can look myself in the mirror and not be ashamed that I did not give my level best effort –

so as it relates to the Eagles – for the team – you go balls out to win the last three – and see what happens –

for fans – in my opinion – we as fans go balls out, all in for the eagles to win the last three, and let the chips fall where they may – if they get into the playoffs – we go balls out cheering/rooting for them – all in 100% – fan – derived from the word fanatic – sorry – just no way in hell I could possibly ever think/wish or want the Birds to lose………

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 1:39 pm

You guys would be absolute duds to go out drinking and ragging on Cowboy fans with ………………… btc – you didn’t get the whole France – surrenders…. no …. come on – this was a great football weekend for me and you guys are crushing my grove – we got one gasp of air left – lets go kick the shit out of the jets and see if we can breath one more week – hard to get excited – dam – you feel that slight breeze – I’m excited!

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 1:44 pm

BTC – JPP got his stats AFTER Graham was injured/late in the year – Graham started more games had more tackles through ad nausem – you like JPP fine – like him –

did you ever read the bios backgrounds of JPP and Graham prior to the draft? I would print them but I am losing my enthusiasm this am – the negativity is bringng me down – plus the Mrs. held a little shin dig at the house last night and one of her friends reps this liquor St German’s – they were mixing this champagne, St Germans, club soda with lemon drink…. Old Navy can’t do that stuff and function well the next day….

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 1:49 pm

Navy….your enthusiasm would be charming if not for the fact that I desperately want Reid’s fat ass out of here so I can have a reason to be hopeful about the future again. Sports has become less and less important in my life as I have gotten older. I pretty much only live and die for the Eagles these days. The Phillies had me pretty involved but with J Ro coming back I’m done with them. They have very slim chances of winning another title with their offense and J Ro is the primary problem so they are doomed next year. If the Eagles keep Reid and blow another draft, I may be completely and utterly over sports addicition. Is that good or bad?? I don’t know.

btc24
btc24
December 12, 2011 1:49 pm

Navy, I think my problem, and everyone else’s problem with Brandon Graham, primarily goes back to the Eagles inability to draft the right players. To be, Graham seems best suited for a 3-4. The Eagles always want to draft guys and put them in different positions (e.g. Chris Gocong). If they’re not drafting guys out of position, they’re gambling on a guy coming off a major surgery.

navyeaglefan
navyeaglefan
December 12, 2011 2:01 pm

jbird – a definite first – Navy and charming in the same sentence – a DCAR BAWHHWHWHWH on that one –

btc – put a note on your calendar to mock me about this discussion next year – I am the eternal optimist – Graham will bust out and become part of the new 3 headed monster sack machine of Cole, BAbin and Graham –

jbird
jbird
December 12, 2011 2:01 pm

btc….I agree the drafting is terrible with defensive players. Talent evaluation period is just bad. They make too many decisions on current players based on flimsy evidence as well. They pinned way too much hope on guys like Chaney, Dixon, and Allen this year based off a very small body of work and then they did the same thing with Vick. They acted like Chaney was going to be the next Trotter based off of three games! Seriously?? Then you have the whole draft arrogance issue that dictates that you absolutely must play first and second round picks until their rookie contracts end and never replace them no mater how bad they may look. So you can be sure the Eagles will not draft a safety in the first round next year even if Ronnie Lott were on the board because they have two second round draft picks that are already written into the starting lineup next year in indelible ink BECAUSE they were second round picks.

paulman
paulman
December 12, 2011 2:06 pm

The Bottom line is that the Giants have always done a better job of developing DL than the Eagles regardless of where players are selected in the Draft
Look at Strahan, Unemyura, Tuck, Joseph, etc,etc.. They have better Coaching and better schemes and play a more physical downhill style of play..
The Eagles used to be better at developing and scheming the DefenseiveSecondary, but this no longer is the case for the Eagles Secondary for the last 3 Seasons has ranked neear the bottom of the NFC