Nick Foles stars in remake of 'The Christmas Miracle'

Doug Pederson isn't going to repeat last week's drama.

The Eagles coach announced that Nick Foles will start again Sunday when the Birds face another crucial matchup with the Texans at the Linc.

But the Eagles' brain trust also made some news yesterday for something they did not do.

They did not put injured starter Carson Wentz on the injured reserve list. Wentz, of course, is on the shelf again after suffering what the team is now referring to as a stress "injury" in his back. Most of us would refer to that as a stress fracture. Recovery time is usually a couple of months, but it's not out of the realm of reason that Wentz could return to the field.

But there might be something standing in his way.

Foles.

I'm not ready to start a quarterback controversy. I don't think for a moment there is a real question about who is the more talented quarterback. Howie Roseman pulled off a near miracle in moving up in the draft to the No. 2 slot to take Wentz a few years back. And who went No. 1 in that draft? The QB Foles and the Eagles beat Sunday night, Jared Goff of the Rams.

Wentz has been injured now every year as a pro, and coming off his final season at North Dakota State when his missed another good chunk of time with a broken wrist.

Of course last year Wentz went down in L.A. against the Rams, suffering a torn ACL.

Foles came in and the Eagles used their underdog status to capture the team's first-ever Super Bowl title.

Can history repeat itself.

The Eagles got a boost last night when the Panthers fell to the Saints.

First, the Eagles must win their final two games. Then they still need some help. Of course it would be nice if the Cowboys lost both their remaining games. In that scenario, the Eagles would win the division, but it's not very likely.

But a wild-card slot is a real possibility.

Specifically, they need the Vikings to lose.

In the meantime, the Eagles appear ready to ride Foles' hot hand once again.

But if they get to the playoffs, Pederson could face a very interesting decision.

Here's what I think.

If the Eagles make the playoffs, it almost assuredly will mean that Foles has spurred them to three straight wins. Sorry, Carson, but you don't bench a guy playing that kind of hot hand.

The hot potato? That will be Doug Pederson's decision.

Columnist Jack McCaffery thinks the Eagles owe Foles a little more that that.

He noticed that Pederson, while anointing Foles as the starter this week, remain committed to Wentz being the starter.

"Obviously, when he is healthy, Carson is our quarterback," Pederson said.

Jack isn't so sure.

Check him out here.

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