The Dreaded Saturday Eagles pick

Anyone remember the Eagles?

There is little if anything to be happy about in picking through the rubble of a week dominated by the conflagration that consumed Penn State legend Joe Paterno and his coaching staff.

But it certainly deflected what undoubtedly would have been a red-hot microscope placed on Andy Reid and the Eagles.

That's because a week after showing a prime-time audience what they could be in drubbing the Cowboys, the Birds returned to national TV Monday night and gave a thoroughly uninspired effort in falling to the Bears.

Once again Juan Castillo's defense coughed up a fourth quarter lead. Once again the offense was plagued by mistakes and turnovers. Michael Vick continues to look ordinary. LeSean McCoy did not get enough touches.

All the normal Andy Reid flourishes were there, including the mandatory gadget play that blew up in his face, this time a fake punt that seemed destined to work except for one small thing - their punter can't throw the ball. His shot put-style effort fell far short - as did the Eagles.

Luckily for them, the Cardinals are coming to town. And yes, that is Kevin Kolb leading them. Unfortunately, it appears a case of turf toe will keep Kolb on the sidelines.

The Eagles' high-wire act when it comes to their playoff hopes is now more like a razor wire. They have no margin for error. It would appear they need to run the table from here out.

With a huge game vs. the Giants looming next week, this has trap game written all over it. Reid can't let that happen. The Eagles need to get off early and bury the Cards.

I think they will. I don't, however, think they make the playoffs. But that's for another week.

Make it Eagles 35, Cardinals 17.

Last Week: Eagles looked exactly the opposite of the team that showed up the week before in dominating the Cowboys. They laid an egg and fell to the Bears.

Season Record: So much for my two-game winning streak. I can't figure this team out. I did not see any way they would lose to Chicago. I certainly didn't see them playing as poorly as they did. I'm now sitting at a thoroughly miserable 2-6, pretty much a lost season, just as the Eagles' will be if they don't win this game. They sit at 3-5 and fading fast.

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