Mark my words: Philly will play in January. The Eagles are not the odd team out. I believe it will be conservative Washington (most likely to fall, way overhyped) or Defense-less Dallas (depsite their 13-9 win over Tampa).

Philadelphia’s offense is the best in the not only the NFC East, but the NFC, and their defense is very, very talented. I’d put Philly’s D up against both New York and Washington’s units.

This Eagles squad has a sense of urgency and with Westbrook and Curtis back – WATCH OUT! The only down fall may be their OL with Andrews out. But other than that, I like their Chances A LOT!

They also have 2 games left with the New York Giants and another win each Dallas and Washington. I’ll take Donovan McNabb or Eli Manning any day and despite the turnover-less play of Jason Campbell, who I’ve been high on the past two years, he is the best QB in that division and he will lead the team to the post season.

They already have 2 and their defense looks to be getting back into form. If their offense can get back into gear and if their running game’s in shape like it was earlier in the year… they’re healthier, Hasselbeck should be coming back, and the NFC West is STILL WIDE OPEN & up 4 grabs!

Holmgren is still a great coach and the team will feed off their defense and the home crowd in the 2nd half of the year and stretch run in the NFC West race. The offense may not be that bad and I like this team to contend for the division title. Remember, they still are the NFC West Champs, and for a reason.

The Carolina Panthers are #2 because they are more aggressive offensively and defensively. Sometimes, it just almost seems like the ‘Skins are playing not to lose.

Panthers defense is Top 3 in the NFL, not just the NFC, and their run game is now on-track with DeAngelo and Stewart. That was the missing link for Carolina teams in the past – post Stephen Davis Era, in the DeShaun Foster Era.

Carolina is as balanced as they come and they have an excellent mix of vets and youngsters. Jon Beason for Defensive Player of the Year and Steve Smith for Offensive Player of the Year?

Good teams run the football effectively and consistently with success. They run often to set-up the pass and play-action. They are not 1-dimensional. They win games they should not. They win close, ugly games.

They’ve beaten Dallas at home – that’s it for quality wins. And they almost gave that 1 away! Kurt Warner will be worn out come the end of the season when the NFC West is on the line… He may even get hurt with all the times they’re throwing the rock – at a pace of 35+ times a game it seems like…. Seattle and St. Louis are right behind ‘em in the race, breathing right down their neck.

Good teams win on the road. When was the last time the Cards have beaten an actual good team with a winning record on the road?

May have to go all the way back and re-visit the NFL Films to search and seek for lost tapes.

Was it when they were in St. Louis or Phoenix? Who was the Coach – Joe Bugel? Was it during the “Nintendo Tecmo Bowl Era” With Roy Green, Larry Centers, and Rickey Proehl and Timm Rosenbach and Tom Tupa at QB?