Well, it looks like we can stick a fork in the Phils.

Which, of course, means only one thing. It's football season.

Of course, around these parts, we have to get past this little matter out in Happy Valley tonight before we can start the Eagles season tomorrow.

Breathe easy, Nittany fans. This Notre Dame team is not going to be waking up any echoes. Instead, it's more likely they will be putting the Irish faithful to sleep. Tonight they're likely going to get waxed amid the "white-out" mania at Paternoville.

Which does not necessarily mean that JoePa has a great squad this year, but instead simply that his team has yet to be tested. Oh, I almost forgot, they also have Michigan on the schedule this year.

So that brings us to Sunday, and the decidedly unfrozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Eagles vs. Packers. McNabb vs. Favre.

I have had a simple reaction for about the last decade or so when asked for a prediction on the Eagles. I automatically spit out 10-6 and get on with the season.

Not this year. I smell trouble. On the field. Off the field. Everywhere I look.

I also have a simple theory about the preseason. It means nothing. Don't believe it. Try this test. Tell me one thing you remember from last year's preseason games? Thought so.

Except for one thing. At some point in those four games, I want to see both the offense and defense firing on all cylinders, at least for one drive. I'm still waiting.

This defense looks like more of the same we watched last winter as the Saints ran the ball down their throat and refused to get off the field and give the Eagles offense another chance to win that playff game.

The offense is still heavily dependent on Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook. That's not necessarily a bad ting. If you can keep them on the field. With McNabb that's not a given. With Westbrook, he insists his injury prloblems are overblown. I'm not convinced.

For Sunday, I see a struggle. They'll win, maybe 29-26, on a late David Akers field goal. That reminds me. Something else will happen Sunday. The Eagles will miss a field goal because of a botched handle on the snap and hold with all the new players they have in place. Sav Rocca, who will be a highlight film punting the ball, could be a train wreck holding for Akers.

Down the road, I see struggles for the Birds. I see more injury problems for McNabb. I see only a rookie, Kevin Kolb, ready to fill the void, since Jeff Garcia was dispatched with such nonchalance in the offseason.

I see 9-7, maybe a Wild Card spot, and an early exit from the playoffs.

The good news: That 9-7 might just win the NFC East. The bottom line is there are no good teams in the NFC. Witness what the Colts did to the Saints Thursday night.

Disagree? Hey, it woldn't be the first time. What do I know? I'm a news guy. If you see it differently, drop a response on here and we can chat about it.

It doesn't make me any less of a fan. I'll still live and die with the Birds each week. Just as I did all summer with the Phils.

I'd just like to do a little more living than dying.