By: KO Kelly
Do You Believe in Christmas Miracles?
Leaving the Superdome back in mid-November I thought our season was over. The team seemed to be in complete disarray without a handle on how to set the ship right. Two wins against bumbling divisional foes provided a little encouragement but those hopes were dashed once again with the overtime loss in Dallas and two top-tier opponents coming up next.
Somehow though, here we are at week 17 and we are still in the playoff hunt. We are down our starting QB once again but the swagger of 2017 is back. Foles’ performance has not always been perfect (see the 1st Quarter of the Texans game) but he has been getting the job done in the clutch (see the last drive of the Texans game).
As I noted last week, the players seem to be energized by Foles’ presence in the huddle and the wisdom he has gained over the years has provided a steady hand on the tiller over these last few weeks. It is yet to be seen if this magical run can continue into the playoffs, let alone Atlanta, but at the very least Foles is making the most of his time left in Philadelphia. He is not going down without a fight and in the town of Rocky – that is all that matters.
Now onto this week’s match-up. Fortunately for us, we face Washington who just cut one of their best defensive players (D.J. Swearinger) and are playing “Name that Washed-up QB” on offense. This game is certainly not going to be a walk in the park given the divisional rivalry and chance for Washington to play spoiler. However, this team has found their groove again and is not going to blow their chance at making a run in the playoffs.
Unfortunately for us, we need help from Chicago to make into the playoffs. The latest news indicates the Bears will be playing their starters as they are still in the position to claim the #2 seed in the NFC playoff picture (they need to win and have the Rams lose to the 49ers). There is a chance the Bears could lay off the gas in the second half if they find out the Rams are blowing out the 49ers, so this weekend we need to be sending out good vibes to our Birds plus the Bears, and the Bay Area 49ers (their stadium is in Santa Clara these days, so ‘Bay Area’ is both alliteratively and geographically appropriate).
The Bears will be conservative in what they show against the Vikings because they could be facing them again the following week in the Wildcard round of the playoffs but they will manage to muster up enough points and stave off the Cousins-led Vikings offense. Come Sunday evening, I foresee a Christmas Miracle for our Birds but no repeat miracle for the Vikings. They will have to wait until next year.
The Bears win this weekend, though, may prove to be their own undoing because this Foles-led Birds team is not one I would want to face in the playoffs. They are battle-tested and ready to re-prove doubters wrong.
Eagles Win 27-13
Bears Win 17 - 14
Record 9-7 clinch 6th Seed in the NFC Playoff Bracket
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