Vikings Mean Little

I think all Eagles’ fans are jaded enough by the 2-4 start- plus a healthy dose of actually seeing an actual good local football team the last decade or so- to not proclaim anything powerfully determinant about this third win up at Minnesota.

The Vikings are lousy at the one thing that translates into consistent success in the League- throwing the football. Therein lies all the difference. The Eagles couldn’t run it a lick. But if you can throw the football semi-effectively, the level a “good” McNabb- continuing his incremental progress seemingly can give you since the second half of the Chicago game, the door is open to two scores and something north of 20 points. Add that to a quietly competent defense- who in six, non-Detroit, competitive contests have allowed a mere six touchdowns- there is a repeatable formula for eight-nine wins.

Enough guarded pessimism. It is a road win- a win that saved the season. So, while I am by no means suggesting the play-offs are probably or likely; they are just still possible. In fact, the biggest obstacle isn’t the Eagles so much- as the tricky schedule they’re left with: six/seven games left with above average teams, Dallas twice, at New England and New Orleans and Washington.

Take away the 0-2 start, I think they probably get there. But with it, Philadelphia needs help.

But at 0-2 and 1-3, the season focus changed. A fair goal for this pretty okay group was get back to .500 early enough that the second half of the season has relevance: 3-3, 4-4, 5-5. A square mark is out there for them now. The next three offer a win (Miami) and a pair of toss-ups where the Eagles figure to be narrow underdogs. Hard to see them winning, or losing, this pair: home for Dallas, away at Washington. Figure a split- and 5-5 is there for them.

They still leaves a hard last six- but at least it is a relevant December- something not guaranteed at 0-2. Or yes, even now frankly.