You can stop throwing dirt on the Eagles. They’re not dead yet.

Not only did the Birds stun the New York Giants Sunday, 20-014, but they also got help from just about everyone else.

Tony Romo did his part by throwing a crucial interception in the last minute against the Steelers, which was promptly returned for the winning touchdown. The ‘Boys coughed up a 10-point lead in the second half to fall, 20-13.

Then last night the Redskins did their part, falling to the Ravens, 24-10. The Falcons also lost yesterday.

The Eagles won because they did something the fans have been begging them to do for months. OK, years. Seemingly every year of the pass-happy Andy Reid regime.

They ran the ball. Part of it no doubt was because howling winds made throwing the ball an adventure all day in a chilled Meadowlands.

But the Eagles managed to turn the tables on the Giants, who also were dealing with the aftermath of a week roiled by the Plaxico Burress debacle.

The game was almost a reversal of the first time the two played back in November at the Linc. Back then it was the Giants who run the ball down the Eagles’ throats, controlling the clock, and the game.

This time turnabout was fair play. The Eagles defense took away much of the vaunted Giants’ ground game, no doubt helped in no small part by an injury to Brandon Jacobs, and then watched as Eli Manning faltered in trying to rally the Giants to a win.

The 10 days off since the Thanksgiving win over the Cards no doubt helped Brian Westbrook. And it showed. Westbrook lugged the ball 33 times for 131 yards. He added another 72 yards on six pass receptions.

Bottom line? Whatever the reason, Andy Reid stuck with that “effective balance” he was talking about last week. Even though some of the Birds’ early runs got stuffed, Reid did not bail on the rushing game. And it paid off.

Yes, the Eagles still likely have to run the table to make the playoffs. But they are alive – and kicking.

Or maybe that would be better said alive – and running.

This team will go as far as Brian Westbrook carries them. Now it’s on to a Monday night matchup with the Browns at the Linc, then a game at the Redskins and a Christmas weekend finale at the Linca against the Cowboys.

Why do I get the feeling that the season will boil down to that last game. A “win-and-in” scenario?

Tell Santa I know what I want for Christmas.