We all know the Eagles have been playing terrible football lately. However, despite their lousy play, they still rank fifth in the NFC. There are three other teams (Giants, Packers, Falcons) with the same 5-4 record, but the Eagles have the best conference record in the group. So as it stands now, the Eagles have a good enough record to make the playoffs, but the question is: are they really a playoff-caliber team?
The first answer that comes to mind is an obvious no. This may have to do with the bad mood I’m in because of his game lately, or it could just be the truth. With the way this team has been performing lately, it’s hard to see them beating any team that could make the playoffs. The most frustrating thing, though, is that we know the Eagles can be much, much better than they have been. Looking at the offensive weapons they have, this team should be able to put up 30-plus points in a game without a second thought. They haven’t been doing this and maybe it’s the fault of the coaching staff, but maybe it’s also the fault of the players.
So is this a playoff-caliber team? Not right now. However, I think they have the tools to be one and if they can put all of that together over the next month and a half, I think they can definitely be a playoff team. Let’s take a look at some of the other playoff teams as they stand now.
Saints: They really handed it to us in our week two matchup. The Eagles were without Donovan McNabb and maybe that would have made a difference. I doubt it since the defense played terribly that game. Despite that game, the Saints have struggled to date, barely beating a horrible Rams team this weekend. They’re undefeated, but if you listened to Drew Brees this week, they’re not playing like a team that deserves to be undefeated.
Vikings: This is a team that we beat in the playoffs last year. Now they have what appears to be their missing link in Brett Favre. They’re in a good position at 8-1, but Favre is known for his late-season slumps. Only time can tell if they are as good as everyone thinks they are.
Cowboys: A team we should have beaten. I still don’t think they’re that good, but until we beat them, it’s not quite fair to say that.
Cardinals: They are capable of doing good things, but I think they only make the playoffs because of how bad their division is. We’re talking about the defending NFC champions here, so I guess we know they have what it takes to be solid in January. However, this is a team I wouldn’t mind taking revenge on.
That covers the four teams that are currently in front of us. We see two of the three teams that are tied with us at the end of this year (Giants, Falcons), so we really control our own destiny. I am very upset with this team as it is now; however, they have time to make it up to me.