The dreaded Saturday Eagles pick

It seems like forever since we had the Birds to feast on in our nornal Sunday routine. The NFL might like the bye week, but I hate it. Although I have to admit the pain was eased last week by watching the Cowboys and Redskins implode. I suppose things could possibly get worse in Dallas, or even more stunning in D.C. for Donovan McNabb, but I don't know how.

And just to tease us and make us wait a bit more, the NFL schedule-makers decided to have the Birds come back off the bye with a 4:15 late game.

Much has been made this week about Andy Reid being a perfect 11-0 coming off the bye week in his tenure as Eagles coach. That will be put to a stern test Sunday when Peyton Manning brings his aerial circus into the Linc.

The Colts are seriously banged up, while the Eagles look to get healthy after a week off. Michael Vick will be back under center; DeSean Jackson is set to go at wide receiver after getting the green light in dealing with the fallout from his concussion. Just how much he plays is yet to be determined.

The truth is this game is not going to be decided on the Eagles' offense's side of the ball. This game belongs to Sean McDermott and the Eagles defense. They must put a cork in Manning and the Colts' air game. McDermott has been taking heat - and rightly so - for the Birds' El Foldo come-from-ahead loss in Tennessee. He will be looking for redemption.

I'm not sold. Either on him or this defense.

I think Vick plays well, but this defense is no match for Manning.

Make it Colts 31, Eagles 23.

Last Week: I had the Titans game right, with Tennessee winning, but I did not see the Eagles dominating the game early, only to give it away in the second half and watch a guy named Britt leave scorch marks all over them.

Season Record: I am a very respectable 5-2 after going against the Birds in the Titans game. Meanwhile, Eagles are sitting at 4-3 and right in the thick of what looks like a two-team race in the NFC East with the Giants.

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