Under Center w/Maly Mal (Week 14)

To be, or not to be? That is the question that surrounds the Philadelphia Eagles. With a season that has been as volatile as Wall Street; the ‘Broad Street Bullies’ find themselves, once again, in control of their own destiny. This past Sunday, things couldn’t have worked out more perfectly for the Eagles. Atlanta, Washington, Dallas, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay, all teams fighting for the final two playoff spots, lost; putting the Eagles either a half game ahead or a half game behind these teams. And with the aforementioned teams in head to head competition with each other over the next 3 weeks, the remaining NFL schedule certainly favors the Eagles. The bottom line for the Eagles is “just win, baby!” However, history has shown us, when it comes to Philly, that’s easier said than done.

What’s not going to be easy is the Dallas Cowboys getting over a heartbreaker of a loss, to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I dubbed the Cowboys as the team no one wanted to see, going into the playoffs. And, for 3 quarters, I was right. But, then came the 4th quarter. Better yet, the 4th & goal… When Dallas stopped Pittsburgh on a 4th and goal with 7:00 minutes remaining the game and Dallas ahead 13-3, everyone thought it was over, including the Cowboys. They high-stepped and high-fived off the field, and began the post game celebration. Except no one informed the Steelers the game was over, and the comeback began. The game was sealed when Deshea Townsend intercepted Tony Romo’s pass, and returned it for a TD, giving Pittsburgh a 20-13 lead they never relinquished. The loss was devastating! The Cowboys are on the verge of missing the playoffs all together. When you couple that pressure with T.O.’s tirades, it’s a recipe for disaster. If Dallas can’t get Owens refocused on the task at hand, then they can pretty much cancel Christmas because it’s going to be a long hard winter!

The Redskins are the new occupants of the last place spot in the NFC East. Jim Zorn has hit the wall mentally. He doesn’t have the Redskins as prepared, and as sharp as he did in the beginning of the season. True contenders begin to peak around this time of year. The Redskins are on the decline, and look to be heading in the house! It must be December…

This leads me to my next segment… The sun’s beginning to set… The streetlights are about to come on… Only the men can stay out and play, after dark. Boys go home… This means, GET IN THE HOUSE (in other words, no playoffs for you)! Get in the house: Lions, Bengals, Raiders, Rams, Browns, Seahawks, Chiefs, Jaguars, and 49ers! Better luck next year!

Here’s the rankings:

1) Tennessee Titans – The Giants lost, Tennessee won… The Titans also clinched a first round bye.
2) New York Giants – I can’t let one loss change my entire perception of a team, right? But, I will say losing Plaxico Burress for the rest of the year will hurt the Giants come playoffs.
3) Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Tomlin is my favorite coach in the NFL. He has Pittsburgh ready to play, every week!
4) Carolina Panthers – The original team I dubbed as a sleeper (go to the archives). After Monday night, I don’t think anyone’s sleeping on them anymore.
5) Indianapolis Colts – They’re looking like the Colts of old, but, it’s been against poor competition. The last game of the year against Tennessee won’t matter. We’ll see what they’re really made of come playoffs.
6) Baltimore Ravens – Man, this team is scary! And, they have the QB this time to go with that vaunted defense!
7) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Somebody may want to check Ronde Barbour’s neck, after the series of stiff arms he took on Monday. The Bucs defense looked tired and worn out. This is the wrong time for that!
8) Philadelphia Eagles – Right back in it. Was benching McNabb his wake up call? All of his passes seemed to hit his receivers in the hands, rather than in the dirt.
9) Arizona Cardinals – The Cards clinched the West, for the first time ever. That will end up being their Super Bowl triumph.
10) Dallas Cowboys – Still in the thick of things. But, a loss to the Giants this weekend pretty much does it.
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