Chundles

On Tuesday morning after the loss to the Cowboys, both the national and local media were tipping their hats to the Eagles for their effort the previous night. Both the Philly media and Eagles fans have always had mixed views on McNabb, so I was particularly surprised at the positive messages coming from both about the loss to the Cowboys. Later during the week, however, things quickly devolved into "McNabb can't win the big one" and "McNabb choked" when he fumbled the handoff to Brian Westbrook.

I can't tell you how pleasurable it is to not have to be surrounded by that vitriol all the time. McNabb is a Pro Bowl QB, he's healthy and back to form, and he can win the big one. The Defense let us down against the Cowboys, not McNabb. And don't forget we were down two starting WRs in that game. If everyone stays healthy, I guarantee you that when Dallas visits Philly in Week 17, a)the game will mean something, and b)we'll walk away the victors. That's how close in talent I think these two teams are.

Anyway, back to matters at hand. On Sunday, the Steelers (2-0) visit Philadelphia. While it's probably a little early in the season to call a game a Must Win, this one is pretty close. Both the Cowboys (at Green Bay) and the Giants (hosting Cincy) have very winnable games. If they both win and the Eagles don't, we'll be 2 games back after Week 3, and that's not good. With how evenly matched the NFC East is and how much everyone beats up on each other when they meet, being 1 game back is nothing to worry about at this point in the season. Two is a different story altogether.

The last time the Eagles and Steelers met in the regular season was 2004, and the Steelers kicked our asses up and down the field that day, winning 27-3. It's a different Steelers team with a different coach, but the style of football is the same. The Eagles have to shake off the loss to the 'Boys and show up ready to play. If we do, and can stop the run, we should be allright. My man McNizz will come through.