Is the Reid-McNabb era over in Philadelphia?
When the Eagles (5-4-1) and Ravens (6-4) square off this Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium, they find themselves in the thick of the NFC and AFC Wild Card races.
However, Baltimore has their sights on winning the AFC North division, while Philadelphia has a remote shot at the NFC East title or a playoff berth for that matter, with six games remaining.
A 13-13 tie against the Bengals last Sunday was a serious blow to the Eagles plans because it left them one game back in the win column of three teams; Washington, Dallas and Atlanta are 6-4, vying for the sixth and final playoff spot. A win against the Ravens on Sunday will definitely help their chances.
Most of the talk in The City of Brotherly Love this week hasn't been about how the Eagles can beat the Ravens, but why QB Donovan McNabb didn't know that an NFL regular season game ends in a tie if neither team scores after the overtime period.
Philadelphia fans, still reveling in the Phillies World Series Championship, are nonetheless calling for McNabb and Head Coach Andy Reid's heads. Reid took the blame, as most coaches do, saying "I'll take the responsibility for that."
It's really not that surprising that Eagles fans want to run both of them out of town. Heck, they threw snowballs at Santa Clause for crying out loud. Philadelphia supporters, very knowledgeable and vocal, felt this years' team had a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl run, but they also feel that both are on the down side of their career, at least in Philly.
The people who root for the Birds and support the team by buying tickets and Eagles gear, says the Reid-McNabb marriage has run its course and it's time to move on. Since the Eagles' Super Bowl run in 2005, which they lost 24-21 to New England, they are a pedestrian 29-28-1.
Is this a fair statement? I think the fine people in Baltimore who felt the same way about Brian Billick and (fill in your quarterback of choice), will probably have the sentiment.
Eagles' players don't think, or won't publicly admit, that it's that big of a deal. They will prepare for the Ravens like they do their next opponent after any win, loss or tie.
Send your thoughts or comments and check back on Friday as I break down the game and tell you who I think will win Sunday's battle of the Birds.
The Eagles have no chance of making the playoffs this year. In fact, they might not even win another game. McNabb may have another run in him like McNair did with the Ravens, but it's time for him to go. His awful play against the Bengals was enough but his bonehead comments after the game were the icing on the cake. I'm looking for South Jersey's own Joe Flacco and the Ravens to seal the deal on the McNabb-Reid era.