The End of an Era?

Yes, the Eagles are still mathematically alive. And yes, Donovan McNabb is still the starting quarterback.

But for all intents and purposes, yesterday’s 16-13 loss to the New York Giants might signify the end of the Eagles season and, unfortunately, the McNabb era.

At 5-8, the Eagles would at the very least need to win out to have any chance of clinching the sixth and final spot in the NFC tournament. This Sunday, they travel to Dallas to take on a 12-1 Cowboys team that needs to keep winning to secure home field advantage. Then, they play a New Orleans Saints team who faces the same must-win-to-survive dilemma. Finally, they host the 7-6 Buffalo Bills in a game that no longer looks like the lay-up it resembled at the beginning of the year.

What I’m saying is, it will be difficult for the Eagles to make the playoffs, but not impossible.

Let’s assume they somehow, someway, win their last three. In order to qualify for the post-season, they would need to jump over (or at least as far as) six other teams – Minnesota, Washington, Detroit, Arizona, New Orleans, and Carolina. Based on their current standings and remaining opponents, here’s how I see this playing out:

Minnesota (7-6): CHI; WAS; @ DEN = 9-7
Washington (6-7): @ NYG; @ MIN; DAL = 7-9
Detroit (6-7): @ SD; KC; @ GB = 7-9
Arizona (6-7): @ NO; ATL; STL = 8-8
New Orleans (5-7): @ ATL; ARI; PHI; @ CHI = 8-8
Carolina (5-8): SEA; DAL; @ TB = 6-10
Philadelphia (5-8): @ DAL; @ NO; BUF = 8-8

In this scenario, the Vikings would be the sixth seed. But if they stumble somewhere along the line, it could come down to tie breakers, the first of which is head-to-head record. The Eagles beat Minnesota this year and would have to beat New Orleans for any of this to matter.

So is it possible? Sure it is. Is it feasible? Sadly, I don’t think so.

This season will be classified as one of close calls, missed opportunities, and unfulfilled promise. Through no fault of his, the McNabb era could be described in the same way.

I’m on record as a big McNabb fan, and I personally don’t want to see him under center for the Vikings, Bears, or Ravens anytime soon. I’ve said before that I felt McNabb did more will less than maybe any quarterback in recent memory. Injuries have limited his mobility, which has made him a one-dimensional quarterback. Yet for only a season and a half, Eagles management gave McNabb the kind of receiving weapon he needed. Despite this, he’ll get most of (if not all of) the blame for the Eagles’ failures.

The public outcry for rookie Kevin Kolb is loud. The cries will only get louder if the Eagles lose to Dallas. If Kolb plays and plays well, there could be a mutiny if he’s not the starter next year. McNabb could be cast aside like yesterday’s news.

And after all he’s done for this franchise, that would truly be a shame.