The city is delirious again. A backup quarterback is uncorking 80-yard touchdowns, stoically returning from unprotected gut shots and leading the team on game-winning drives. The Eagles, over the last two weeks, have beaten teams with a combined 21 wins, to keep their balance-beam hope of making the playoffs alive.
They are a reasonable contender now. After Sunday’s win against the Houston Texans, and Dallas’ division-clinching win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia’s best chance of reaching the postseason comes from downing a punchless Washington team on the road next weekend, and having the Minnesota Vikings lose to the first-place Chicago Bears at home in the season finale.