The Eagles did not play yesterday, and they still lost.
Twice.
While the ebirds were awaiting their prime-time matchup with the Browns tonight at the Linc, they likely were glued to their TV sets much of the day. They should have finished their Christmas shopping.
The Birds' Wish List went bust; they got exactly no help from two teams they needed to come through.
First, the Bucs did just about everything in their power to give a game to the Falcons, andc they still had to go to overtime to get the job done. Offered a gift interception from the Falcons in the final minute that put them inside the 10-yard line, the Bucs, who were playing without injured ex-Eagle Jeff Garcia, promptly threw it into reverse and had to settle for a tying field goal instead of the game-winning TD. Of course they went belly-up in overtime to lose.
Then last night the Giants forgot to show up for their game against the Cowboys in Big D.
So much for all that bickering the 'Boys supposedly were doing. Maybe they decided to take it out on the Giants instead.
T.O., Tony Romo and Jason Witten looked like one, big happy family.
Here's the bottom line: Even if the Eagles win their last three games, and that would start tonight against the Btrowns, they still are going to need help to get into the playoffs.
This is their best bet, and once again we likely will call upon an old friend.
The Falcons have to visit Minnesota next Sunday to play the Vikings and the Birds' former coach, Brad Childress.
Right now both the Falcons and Bucs are 9-5 and if they both win their final two games, they will take the two NCF wild-card slots.
Don't despair just yet. The Vikings wil need that game just as much as the Bucs. Minnesota continues to battle the Bears for the NFC North title. Neither won of them look likely to collect a wild-card bid.
Of course none of this means a thing if the Eagles don't win their final three.
And that start with winning tonight against the Browns. You wold think this one would be a cakewalk. Don't bet on it. Ever know this team to do anything the easy way?
Thought so.
By the way, this might be an especially good year to make the playoffs. Does anyone see a dominant team out there? How have the Giants looked the past two weeks? They suddenly have problems. Carolina just might be the best team in the NFC.
This just be a repeat of last year, when the Giants got hot at the right time and rolled into the playoffs.
Listening, Eagles?
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When President Bush snuck away for a secret pre-Christmas visit, it figured to be a really big show.
It turned into a really big "shoe."
An Iraqi journalist decided to hurl his shoe at the commander-in-chief. Bush adeptly ducked away from the first "incoming."
Here's what I don't understand. Somehow this guy managed to reload and fire his other show at the president.
Again Bush took the necessary evasive actions, but where was the security or Secret Service?
It's kind of hard to believe a person can throw a show directly at the head of the U.S. president, then calmly have time to reload with the other shoe.
Does anyone else think this does not compute?
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Fnally today, something that screams "Philadelphia" is in jeopardy.
I wold guess that at some time during tonight's Monday Night Football game, you will see two things: a shot of them making cheesesteaks at either Pat's or Geno's in South Philly, and a shot of the Mummers.
They are emblems of the city, our signature food, and our signature party.
Here's the problem. That strut up Broad Street by all those guys in sequins and feathers is in jeopardy.
Swimming in a sea of red ink, the city has gone into slash-and-burn mode in terms of the budget. It's closing libraries, jobs, and services.
The Nutter administration also is cutting funds for the Mummers. It already has axed the prize money the city usually puts up. Now they want to cap the city's cost for the "golden slippers" at $300,000.
Talk about your ruffled feathers.
The mummers and city city continue talks to reach some kind of a deal.
Love it or hate it, the Mummers are emblematic of Philadelphia. They are part of our signature in the world.
Some people might think it would not be an entirely bad thing should they disappear. Don't count me among them.
No, they're not on a par with libraries. But if the city can foot the bill for that massive Phillies parade, they can do more for one of their institution.
And if you don't believe me, here's three things to look for in tonight's telecast of the Eagles-Browns game, which the entire nation wil be watching on ESPN.
You'll either see or hear "rocky" in the pre-game build-up. You'll see a bunch of people hanging out at Pat's or Geno's, with a typical South Philly guy working the grill, and you'll see a man dressed in more sequins and feathers than any burlesque show you've ever seen.
ItT is part of what we are as a city and a region. It wold be a shame to lose it.