Remember when the Eagles used to be a big deal around here.

And an Eagles Monday night game was enough to bring the local sports world to a screeching halt?

Not this week.

It no doubt galls the folks down at Nova Care Nation to no end to know that they are have been relegated to an afterthought, even as they command a bit of the national spotlight tonight when they head down I-95 to tangle with the Redskins in a Monday night affair.

But they will do so in the shadows. That’s because the spotlight will be shining squarely on the World Series matchup between the Yankees and Phillies.

The Series won’t start until Wednesday night. But it is already Topic No. 1 around the water cooler.

Donovan McNabb and his pals will simply have to deal with playing second fiddle for a couple of weeks.

They would do well to go about their business, and emerge from this World Series mania, in the thick of the NFC East race.

Things actually tightened up a tad yesterday when the Giants lost their second straight game, falling to the Cardinals at home, 24-17.

That means if the Birds can beat the lowly Redskins tonight in D.C., they will be tied with the Giants in the loss column, at 4-2, although the New Yorkers have played one more game, thanks to the Eagles bye week. Dallas is already sitting at 4-2, thanks to their win over the Falcons yesterday.

Of course, the Eagles could go out and pull a repeat performance of last week’s disastrous performance in Oakland.

I don’t think that’s going to happen. Look for the Birds to win, and for almost no one to notice as we are consumed by another Red October.

Yes, the Eagles will be green with envy.