Why Michael Vick's Emergence Spells Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles

Superstar quarterback Michael Vick led the Philadelphia Eagles to a 27-17 win over the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, cementing Philly's status as the NFC East's top team.

The Eagles are now arguably the class of the NFC (although the Falcons have a better record) and have to be considered legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Vick did commit his first turnover of the season (a fumble after being sacked by Justin Tuck), but he played well enough to give the Eagles a win.

It was Vick's worst game of his outstanding year, but it was still more than good enough to give his team the NFC East lead.

So, why does his breakout spell Super Bowl for the Eagles?

They're the Favorites for Home-Field Advantage

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles is introduced before playing against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Here's the seeding picture in the NFC:

Atlanta has an 8-2 record, and Philly, New Orleans, Tampa Bay, Green Bay and Chicago all sit at 7-3.

The Falcons would seem like they're in the best position for home-field advantage, but they still have to play New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Green Bay.

The rest of the teams all play at least two really tough games. An Eagles victory over Chicago next week would leave them needing to worry mostly about two games against the Cowboys and one more against the Giants.

Philadelphia's schedule is no cakewalk, but they will likely be favored in every game from here on out.

I can't see the Eagles losing more than once to their remaining opponents (they also play Houston and Minnesota), and a 12-4 record should give them home-field advantage in the NFC.

And Home-Field Advantage Means a Lot in Philly

If the Eagles do indeed get home-field advantage, it will be a big boost.

I know they've struggled in the NFC Championship in the past under Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb, but that's not because of the fans.

Philadelphia has some of the U.S.'s craziest fans, and they'll do whatever it takes to help the Eagles get to the Super Bowl.

Nobody In The NFC Can Stop Them

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Clay Matthews #52 of the Green Bay Packers tackles LaDainian Tomlinson #21 of the New York Jets on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Packers defeated the Jets 9 - 0. (P

The Giants No. 1 defense did a fantastic job containing Michael Vick, holding him to "just" 292 total yards, a rushing TD and a lost fumble.

Even in his worst outing of the year, against the league's top defense, Vick still put up big yardage numbers.

Chicago and Green Bay are the only elite NFC teams who have defenses that can measure up to the Giants', so if New York can't stop the Eagles, who can?

The NFC Is Weak

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 21: Brian St. Pierre #6 of the Carolina Panthers reacts as he walks off the field against the Baltimore Ravens at Bank of America Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

We all know that the AFC is vastly superior to the NFC.

The only teams I see realistically competing for the NFC's Super Bowl bid are the Saints, Falcons, Packers, Eagles and Giants.

Like I said, none of those teams can stop the Eagles high-flying offense, and the Saints are the only team who can stack up with Philly's firepower.

I see the NFC coming down to New Orleans and Philadelphia.

They Can Beat The Saints

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 and head coach Sean Payton of the New Orleans Saints wait for the call from a review against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin

The Saints are a great football team, but they've struggled a lot this year (they've lost to Cleveland, Atlanta and Arizona, as well as some close calls).

Whether they're suffering a Super Bowl hangover or not, New Orleans doesn't seem like the team it was at this time last year.

While they are rounding into form lately and will get Reggie Bush back soon, the Eagles are simply the better team right now.

This might change if New Orleans fully gets its groove back, but for now, the NFC is Philly's to lose.

He Opens Things Up For The Rest Of The Offense

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

The Giants were doing a good job of containing Vick last night at times, but that didn't mean they were containing the Eagles offense.

Even when Vick wasn't getting the job done himself, someone else did.

When they needed a score to seal the game, LeSean McCoy broke two huge runs, one for the game-clinching 50-yard touchdown.

If you try and stop Vick, someone else will hurt you.

He Still Hasn't Thrown an INT

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles passes against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

The most impressive thing about Vick's performance so far has been his aversion to turnovers.

His lost fumble last night was his first turnover of the season, and he still hasn't thrown an interception.

We always knew he could run and that he had the tools of a great passer, but who would've thought he could go this long without throwing a pick?

If he keeps this up, the Eagles are Super Bowl-bound.

Comments

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Who do you think is the best team in the NFC?

Are the Eagles being over-hyped?

Voice your opinion in the comments.

Matt Rudnitsky is a student at the University of Michigan and a Featured Columnist/Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Mattrud