Familiar Foes Stand Between Eagles and Super Bowl Berth

Who saw that coming?

When the Eagles tied Cincinnati, the team was left for dead. The same happened when they stunk it up in Washington in the season's penultimate game.

Now, the Eagles have risen like a Phoenix from the ashes of their supposedly wasted season. So I guess it's appropriate that should the Eagles beat their hated rivals, the New York Giants, today, the road to the Super Bowl will take them through Phoenix.

Two games—one against their current nemesis, the other against a former NFC East division rival.

Again, who saw THAT coming?

The good news is that Eagles demolished both teams down the stretch.

The bad news is, there's PLENTY of tape for their opponents to dissect to avenge their embarrassment.

The big question is: "Which Eagles team is going to show up?"

Will it be the one with the dominating defense and a commitment to run the football?

Or will it be the one that the Brandon Jacobs gashed them for 126 yards in 36-31 defeat to the Giants?

Will Andy Reid continue to acknowledge there's more to football than an aerial bombardment?

Will Brian Dawkins continue to fly around the field like an advertisement for Red Bull?

Can the defense stymie Eli Manning once again, resulting in everyone's favorite "deer-in-the-headlights" Manning face?

And possibly most importantly, can David Akers conquer the beast that is the swirling winds at Giants Stadium?

One No. 6 seed has already advanced (Ravens).

If the Eagles can pull out a win against the Giants, two nine-win teams will meet in Arizona for the NFC Championship Game.

Again, who saw THAT coming??