Fans of this blog (yes, both of you) may recall an item that appeared here last week.

I wrote it Monday morning, still seething over the Eagles’ performance against the Redskins the day before. The Eagles held their playoff destiny in their hands. All they had to do was win their final two games, against Washington and Dallas, and they were in, regardless of what other playoff contenders did.

Of course, the Eagles responded to this challenge by basically failing to catch the train to D.C. They played one of the most dreadful games of the Andy Reid era, losing 10-3 and at the same time losing control of their destiny.

It shook out like this. The Eagles needed about a thousand things to go their way, then beat the Cowboys, to have a shot at the playoffs. Of course, that’s exactly what happened. Call it the Christmas miracle, three days late.

Now back to last week. In that blog item I posted Monday morning, I indicated it was time for Andy Reid to go. And that he should take Donovan McNabb, L.J. Smith, Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis with him.

Yesterday, most “experts” – fans and media members alike – were busy falling on their swords. Pushed by those still loyal to Reid, it was pointed out how wrong all those “experts” had been.

I’m hardly an expert. I’m just a fan. And I’m still not ready to admit that I was wrong.

Oh, I can admit Reid is now going to be back next year. I think it’s pretty likely McNabb will join him. Making the playoffs will do that for you.

But I still have my concerns about both Reid and McNabb. Reid remains stubborn to a fault, a pass-happy coach in a league in which the balance of power has now switched to the run. McNabb continues to be inconsistent, still throwing balls into the ground when receivers are wide open right in front of him, and for some reason now seemingly reluctant to use one of his best weapons – his legs. Again on Sunday there were instances where McNabb easily could have rambled for a first down, but instead tried to complete a pass only to toss another worm-burner.

That argument now will be left for another day. The bottom line is the Eagles are in the playoffs. And it says here they have as good a shot as anyone else in the NFC to be playing for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.

That begins Sunday in Minnesota, where Reid will face his old offensive coordinator Brad Childress.

Will we get the “effective balance” Andy who does not give up on the run, or the “mad scientist” pass-happy guy who decides to throw the ball 70 times? The Vikings are very good against the run. The argument would be that the Eagles will have to throw the ball to beat them. I think that would be a mistake.

And I think Reid knows it. Or at least I hope he does. Maybe, just maybe over the volcanic last couple of weeks, Reid has discovered that elusive “balance.”

That would make the Eagles a very dangerous team in the playoffs. I think they beat the Vikes, then brace for a titanic tilt with the Giants.

Andy Reid isn’t going anywhere. Except to Minnesota and then to the Meadowlands. And he’s taking Donovan McNabb with him.