weapon x returns

As soon as the 2009 NFL schedule was released, this week's Denver game was the one that jumped out at me most. Well maybe not the most. Next week's week 17 match-up in Dallas may have been a little more noticeable especially because of the Week 17 game between the same two teams last year, although it occurred in Philadelphia. For those that don't remember that game, I will tell you about it because it was one of the best regular season games of all time. After getting some help from Oakland earlier in the day, the Eagles had a de facto playoff game against the Cowboys with the winner getting a wildcard spot and the loser going home. Since it was basically a playoff game, you can guess how Tony Homo and the rest of the Cowgirls played; they laid one of the biggest eggs of all time in NFC East play, getting smashed to the tune of 44-6. The Eagles forced five turnovers and at one point scored TDs on two consecutive Cowboys possessions. And believe me, I have full confidence that the Eagles will do it again this year. Don't think the Cowboys are for real just because the caught the Saints sleep walking through the remainder of the regular season (The Saints should have lost their past three games). The Eagles are the hottest team in football right now that is not named the San Diego Super Chargers or quarterbacked by Payton Manning.

But back to the Denver game. Obviously regardless of the playoff seeding and potential first round bye implications, this game matters because B Dawk is going to be wearing a different colored jersey than the usual Midnight Green this Sunday at the Link. Dawkins had been the heart and soul of this franchise for far and away the best overall span of football in its history. In all honesty Brian Dawkins may be the only Hall of Fame player that played for a significant amount of time for the Eagles during that time period. McNabb has a chance, but unless he wins the Super Bowl, its hard to make the case for him in my opinion. The only others that have a chance are probably too young to know for sure. T.O. will make it, but he was only an Eagle for a year and a half. Players like Sheldon Brown, Brian Westbrook, and Desean Jackson could all potentially be in Canton one day, but they would need to continue to produce at a All-Pro level for several more years. But Brian Dawkins brings much more to a team than just great play at the free safety position: his is an emotional leader that leads by example and simply wills the players around him to perform at a higher level. Just look at Denver this season. They are not that great on paper, but Dawk has the defense flying around the field, and they have the third best defense by total yardage in the league. Dawk is just one of those type of players, and an even better person.

But obviously this game is important for several reasons unrelated to the return of Brian Dawkins. A win coupled with a Cowboys loss to the Redskins (and don't count out the Redskins: they are coming off the most embarrassing game in the history of the NFC East that wasn't the Eagles-Cowboys 2008 Week 17 game cited above, and the Cowboys once again are think way too much of themselves after beating the Saints. This is a division rivalry - anything can happen) would clinch the division for the Eagles. Additionally, if Minnesota loses one of its remaining two games and the Eagles win out they would get the two seed in the NFC and a bye in the first round. Obviously that is hoping for a lot, but it is definitely possible. If the Giants take care of business this week against Carolina, they will face Minnesota in Week 17 with a playoff birth on the line. The Vikings could definitely lose that game. But first the Eagles need to take care of business against a Denver team with a lot on the line. The key to this game for me is getting pressure on Kyle Orton. I think Denver is going to be able to run the ball, but I think the Eagles should be able to score on Denver as well. The offensive key is balance. Brian Westbrook will be back this week, and I would love to see him on the field at the same time as Lesean McCoy. That could create match-up nightmares for the Broncos linebackers. If the Eagles are able to put points on the board they should be able to force Denver into more passing situations, taking away their strength running the football. If they can put some pressure on Orton at that point, I see him having at least two turnovers. I think that will happen, and my prediction is a big win for the Eagles, with the final score being Eagles 27, Denver 16.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!