Why Heavens Have Aligned for Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl Run

The Philadelphia Eagles will play the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship. All of you that had that match-up in the preseason, raise your hand.

Right, that's what I thought.

After losing control of its own destiny by laying an egg in Washington in week 15, the Eagles have now dismantled the Cowboys, beaten the Vikings in round one of the playoffs, then dispatched the defending Super Bowl champs at the Meadowlands.

Team of destiny? Well, let's look at what has transpired in Philadelphia over the past six months.

The Phillies broke the Curse of Billy Penn by winning its first World Series since 1980. The curse was actually broken by the construction workers at the new Comcast Tower in Philadelphia.

Legend had it that since developers had broken the gentleman's agreement that no building in the city would be higher than the brim of William Penn's hat atop City Hall in 1985, Philly teams were cursed.

In fact, none of the major teams had won title since the 76ers in 1983.

But a mini statue of Penn was placed atop Comcast's new skyscraper that was recently completed. Since then, the Soul won the AFL title and then the Phillies won the Series.

The Phillies win seemed to have some numerology pointing to its "Team of Destiny" status. 

How so? Well, the last (and previously only) Phillies title was in '80. They then won in '08. The closers were No. 45 (Tug McGraw) and 54 (Brad Lidge).

So how do the tea leaves appear to be working for the Eagles?

Well, the last time the Cardinals were in a championship game was 1948, against the Eagles. The Eagles won, claiming its first-ever NFL championship. At the time, the Cardinals were in Chicago, McNabb's hometown. 

The Eagles beat the Cardinals earlier this season, 48-20.

The Phillies were led by No. 20, Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt. The Eagles are being led by their defense, particularly the future Hall of Famer, No. 20 Brian Dawkins.

The Phillies beat Tampa Bay to win the World Series. Super Bowl XLIII is in Tampa.

Pat Burrell, a former first round (actually No. 1 overall) draft pick for the Phillies, wearing No. 5, was a key player in the Phillies title run.

After 10 years, Burrell was not re-signed by the club. McNabb, also a first-round draft pick, and also No. 5, was rumored to be on his way out of town after this season.

McNabb was also benched this season, just like Phillies shortstop, Jimmy Rollins.

Phillies manager, Charlie Manuel, was practically run out of town for his "in-game" moves. Eagles coach Andy Reid has been the subject of venom for years for his play-calling.

Coincidences?  Most likely. But parallels can be drawn, particularly when you're looking for promising signs.

What is not a coincidence is that the Eagles are in their fifth NFC Championship Game in the last eight seasons.

The last time McNabb was in the playoffs, he led the Eagles to a 3-point loss in the Super Bowl to the Patriots.

This time, there is no Tom Brady in his way. No Peyton Manning. There is, however, one Kurt Warner. The same Warner that led the St. Louis Rams over McNabb in his first NFC Championship Game.

Oh, by the way, the Cardinals used to play in St. Louis.

Team of destiny? Perhaps. But if the Eagles can continue to play like this, destiny will take care of itself.