Eagles Have Super Bowl Potential (Now and Beyond)

The Eagles remain undefeated when Michael Vick starts all 4 quarters.

For the first 8-9 weeks it seemed like a consensus to most that the AFC was far superior to the NFC. However, that idea seems to be changing. The Defending Super Bowl Champ Saints defeated the Steelers on Sunday Night Football week 8. The Packers shut out the Jets 9-0 that week as well. We all remember, of course, the Eagles edging out the Colts in a game most experts predicted against them. And finally, the Atlanta Falcons defeated the Ravens.

All 4 of those teams were deemed Super Bowl contenders and among the most dominant teams in the NFL. They were also all AFC teams. However, now that they all feel to NFC opponents, it is clear that the NFC has just as much potential as the AFC and that this season's Super Bowl will still be unpredictable.

Yet, despite the renewed faith in the NFC, experts continue to rave about how the Falcons, Packers, Saints, and Giants all have championship aspirations. But aren't they forgetting someone?

Why not us? Why not Philly?

Vick and Jackson make the Eagles among the league's most potent offenses.

Do experts fail to realize that the Eagles have one of the most explosive offenses in the game? Averaging 376.2 yards (4th in the NFL) and 137.5 rushing yards (5th in the NFL) per contest? And that these stats were still the result of having Kevin Kolb instead of Michael Vick at the helm for about 4 games? Have they witnessed the Eagles shut down elite running backs week after week? Have they swept under the rug the fact that the Eagles are currently 3-0 when Michael Vick starts a whole game?

Of course, there are many holes on this team that remain. The offensive line is still too porous and must gel to help prevent another Vick injury. The defense, at 12th in the league, is by no means poor, but must make major strides if it wants to make this team a dominant one, including limiting big plays, which they have done excellently against Indianapolis and Atlanta. And of course, there is the question on everyone's mind. Can Vick stay healthy? Is it a matter of time before another big hit sidelines him for the season?

With LeSean McCoy and Vick leading the way, the Eagles have the 5th best running game in the NFL.

Maybe, and that is another issue at hand. If Vick can play more carefully though, this offense is and will remain a headache for all opponents.

This Eagles team has had a rough first half of the season, but have shown enough promise and bright spots to land us at 5-3, a record experts would never have dreamed of in the off-season. And if history tells us anything, Andy Reid knows how to mastermind second half rallies to make a playoff bid. And we all know that Andy Reid is a genius when it comes to deep playoff runs. (although unfortunately, not finishes).

In conclusion, if the Eagles continue to play Philadelphia Eagles football, why not us? When the Eagles are at their best, they can beat anyone in the league. Their biggest obstacle is and always has been themselves.

The gelling of this defense may be the difference between a jump for the Eagles from a good team to a dominant one.

This week, another obstacle to overcome will be Donovan McNabb and the Washington Redskins. While last week was quite the statement win, this is indeed also a significant game for Philly. A win here would put us at 6-3 and do much to prove experts and pundits wrong and show everyone, as I have here, that we have just as much a shot at the Lombardi Trophy as anyone.