After a bittersweet football weekend where my Ohio State Buckeyes won in Iowa and my Cincinnati Bengals lost to the Patriots, I was hoping that Monday night would be my saving grace.  It wasn’t exactly the best game of the weekend, but the result couldn’t have been better for the Philadelphia Eagles who defeated the Green Bay Packers, 31-9.  It might have been because they were playing the Packers, but the Eagles are slowing showing their former selves.

The Eagles, as most people know, have had more than their share of problems over the last year.  With all of the injuries to key players and the Terrell Owens saga (which for the sake of time I will not discuss) the Eagles had a terrible 6-10 season and not winning a single game against the teams in the NFC East.  But this year there is no TO and only lineman Javon Kearse has suffered a severe injury.  That is why the team is 3-1.

Philadelphia came into this season expected to finish maybe 8-8 and – in the best case scenario – tied for last in supposedly the best division in football.  Well, ever since Donte Stallworth came to Philly from New Orleans the team has looked superior.  And based on their record you really can’t argue that point.  Instead of being last, the Eagles are tops in the division and have a relatively easy schedule from here on out.

With Donovan McNabb on the team the Eagles have a great chance to win every game.  He could be the best quarterback in the league (sorry Manning fans) and I believe he is the best leader.  McNabb’s stats – a 59% completion percentage, 1248 yards passing, and nine touchdowns – give great credence to the fact he is currently the NFL’s premier signal caller.

The Eagles have played well in 15 of the 16 quarters that they have played in this season.  The exception?  The (infamous) game on September 17th against the Giants in which the Eagles blew a 17 point fourth quarter lead before losing in overtime.  But what did the Eagles do after this crushing loss?  Exactly what they had to: went to San Francisco and beat up on the 49ers.

I think that that loss to the Giants was a good thing for the Eagles.  It showed them that they have to play for 60 minutes, not just 45.  I am sure Andy Reid lit a fire under them after that game and they should not have a collapse like that the rest of the season.  On that prediction, you can mark my words.

The Eagles have also been spreading out the offense a lot more compared to last year where the pass-to-run ratio was 3:1.  Under that formula, they have been giving the ball up to the most versatile halfback in the game, Brian Westbrook.  Despite having discomfort most of the season, and missing the game on Monday night, Westbrook has rushed for 256 yards on 44 carries, scoring three times on the ground.  Through the air, he has 15 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

Like I stated earlier, Donte Stallworth gave this team new hope by giving them a bona fide number one wideout.  With Reggie Brown and Greg Lewis being the primary receivers before his unexpected arrival, many experts predicted Westbrook could get as many as 30 carries a game.  But along came Stallworth, who instantly became Philadelphia’s go to guy.  So far this season, he has caught 12 balls for 248 yards and two TDs.  Look for McNabb and Stallworth to hook up for at least eight more scores this season.

As mentioned above, the Eagles schedule is also very favorable, with the Eagles getting all of their most difficult games at home, excluding divisional tilts.  The most difficult game I see for the rest of the season would be the Eagles going into Indianapolis to take on the Colts.  Outside of that, I see the Eagles going, at worst, 5-3 before their bye week in Week 9.  If someone had told me the Eagles would win their division a couple months ago I might have called them crazy; now, I believe them.

The Eagles so far have the best-rated offense in the league, rating in the top three in all major offensive categories.  There are only two other teams in the league that are putting up more points per game then the Eagles: the Dallas Cowboys (who they Eagles play this Sunday) and the Indianapolis Colts.  Look for the Eagles to continue this offense production the rest of the season.

The Eagles defense isn’t too shabby either.  Even though they rate in the middle in most defensive categories, they are holding their opponents to point totals that can easily be exceeded by their stellar offense.  If your offense is putting up 30 points a game, and only giving 18, most of the time that results in wins.  I see the Eagles defense being able to shut down teams when it matters.

Overall, the way that Philadelphia is playing right now, you can clearly see the difference between this year and last.  No distractions – read TO – have seen the Eagles on SportsCenter only a couple of times and only when reviewing – or previewing – games played or to be played.

When the 2006 season ends, the Eagles will have a better record than the previous season, finishing with either 12 or 13 victories, totals easily good enough to qualify for the post-season.  I don’t want to get started on playoff predictions so I won’t.  But get ready America.  The Eagles are back!

What do you think of Philadelphia so far?  Let me know at andrewuxley@atomicsportsmedia.com.