The Eagles are in first place after a huge win over the Giants on Monday Night Football.
So why don't I feel better about it.
Is this another case of Mike Schmidt's epic Philly lament - "the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day?"
Actually I know why I'm so conflicted about what was another 'crucial' win for the Birds.
I can sum it up in two words:
Sam Bradford.
I've been one of Bradford's biggest backers. I'm the guy who thinks Chip Kelly knew exactly what he was doing when he shipped off Nick Foles and a second round draft pick to get Bradford, who was a former No. 1 pick in the draft.
After limited time in the preseason, Bradford got off to a shaky start as the Eagles struggled out of the gate.
He looked rusty, tentative and maybe a little gun shy, perfectly natural for a guy who had his left knee reconstructed two different times and hadn't played in almost two years.
Then came that second half against the Saints, when Bradford showed glimpses of his potential.
Unfortunately, he followed that up with a not-ready-for-prime-time performance Monday night against the Giants.
Make no mistake, while the Eagles were winning, 27-7, Bradford did not play well.
He was picked off three times. He seemed to be off his game, not on the same page as his receivers.
He started with what is quickly becoming this offense's trademark - the three and out.
Making it worse was that it came on the heels of a six-minute Giants draft in which Eli Manning looked like Joe Montana in picking apart the Birds' defense to take a 7-0 lead.
Bradford was ready to post another three-and-out when the game shifted on a roughing the passer penalty on Giants defensive lineman Damontre Moore, who for some unknown reason decided to body slam Bradford. Given new life, the Eagles QB connected on a TD pass to Riley Cooper to even the game. Eli Manning, who had looked lights out in that first series, then threw a Pick-6. The Eagles defense never looked back. They took over the game, harassing Manning into a miserable final three quarters.
It was a signature game for the Eagles defense, especially considering how they started the game.
The same cannot be said about Bradford.
The Eagles managed to get DeMarco Murray on track, but it's pretty obvious this team is going to go as far as Bradford carries them.
How far that is right now is anybody's guess.
Bradford took a step back last night. He looked tentative, almost as if he's aiming his throws, as they often say about a baseball pitcher. Right now his mechanics do not look natural. Everything he does looks forced. He needs to just let it go, the way that guy did in the preseason.
There was a lot to like about the Eagles' win last night. They are, after all, in first place courtesy of the win over the Giants.
But I don't think anyone is ecstatic over the win.
And that has to do with Sam Bradford.
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