Eagles find themselves on life support

ANDREW AMODEI| STAFF WRITER

     This season was supposed to be a dream for the Philadelphia Eagles, but in short it has become something of a nightmare.  The team has been inconsistent at best and has played way below expectations.  Nothing has really clicked for the Eagles, as they have yet to find a rhythm to their team and time is running out.  The Eagles have to be the most puzzling team in the NFL.  They had a great off-season and added so much talent that they were dubbed a “Dream Team” and yet have played sub par to what they are capable given the talent on the team.  The Birds have played sloppy, making far too many mistakes and not playing well at all in the fourth quarter of games, which has cost them numerous times already. 

     The main question left to answer is whether or not the Eagles can even make it to the playoffs in 2011.  The Eagles have a record of three wins and five losses as of November 12.  It should be noted that they are not completely out of contention yet, but they are on the edge of missing the postseason.  So the short answer is yes, mathematically the Eagles can still very well make the playoffs.  However, they are in a deep hole when looking at the NFC Wild Card picture and also their division the NFC East. 

     At this point the Eagles’ best shot at getting into the playoffs is aiming at a Wild Card spot.  Although the division isn’t lost yet it will be a steep up-hill battle to try and catch the New York Giants who already hold a win over the Eagles and have caught fire as of recently.  An NFC Wild Card spot is what the Eagles need to aim for at this point.  Although possible, it will certainly be a fight for the Eagles to get there.  After a slow start to the season the Philadelphia Eagles find themselves at the outside looking in with regards to the playoff picture and find themselves in the back of the pack for a wild card spot. 

     As of November 12, the Eagles have three teams ahead of them in the Wild Card race.  The three teams ahead of them are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dallas Cowboys and the Atlanta Falcons. All three teams are solid teams and the Eagles have already played two of the three.  They have beaten the Cowboys once already and have another meeting with them later in the season and they have lost to the Falcons early in the season as well. The two teams who already have the two Wild Card spots right now are the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions.  The Eagles will have to overcome most of these teams to secure a spot in the playoffs. 

     As daunting as this task sounds and is it is still possible, but the Eagles will have to kick it into gear and start with their next game. The popular notion is to just right the Birds off as a failure this season and look toward next season.  However, Andy Reid’s teams have historically had a habit of turning it up when they have to and always seem to have the ability to win the games they have to.  This year seems different, where it seems like the Eagles have buried themselves into a bigger hole then usual and won’t be able to make the playoffs. 

     The Eagles still have a chance of making the playoffs.  With their reputation of bouncing back when they are counted out and also the face that the other teams in the NFC may beat each other up and knock them out of the race.  The Eagles will have to win and get a lot of help but it’s certainly possible.  This season is reminiscent of the 2008 season.  The Eagles struggled all season but got into the playoffs on the last day of the season.  This season seems like it is shaping up like that and if the team can get back on track fast they will have a shot at the Wild Card spot.