Philadelphia Eagles: Is a Perfect Storm Brewing for a Late-Season Collapse?

Some people are talking Super Bowl for the Philadelphia Eagles, but my thoughts are elsewhere.

Will this team even make the playoffs?

The Eagles have been playing very well, but the NFC is ridiculously tough.

A loss to the Texans and the Eagles could actually lose their grip on a playoff spot.

So what may allow this to happen?

Michael Vick

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs as he looks for a receiver against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Im

Yeah, yeah, I know. Michael Vick is amazing.

But when's the last time his body endured a full NFL season?

For you trivia nerds, the answer is 2006, and that should concern Eagles fans.

In Vick's last two games he has been sacked seven times and has run the ball 20 times.

Will Vick's legs tire as the year goes on? My bet is that, yes, at some point fatigue will affect Vick.

Something else to keep in mind is that Vick has had to play perfect to get the Eagles to this point. Last week he threw his first interception, and, well, the Eagles lost.

What happens when Vick is no longer perfect?

Asante Samuel

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Lah

What was at first thought to be an insignificant injury could now be troublesome.

Asante Samuel's knee is hurting and now he might not play against the Texans.

If there is any time you don't want to be missing the NFL's leader in interceptions, it's against a Houston offense that thrives through the air.

If Samuel doesn't play, will Matt Schaub be able to continuously find Andre Johnson?

Samuel's injury could spell trouble against the Texans, and if it lingers, it will significantly hurt the Eagles pass defense.

DeSean Jackson

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: DeSean Jackson #10 of the Philadelphia Eagles returns a kick against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

When a team hears Drew Rosenhaus's name mentioned, it cringes. Rosenhaus has gotten to the Eagles top receiver and gotten in his head.

Apparently Jackson's recent struggles have been a result of Rosenhaus telling him that he needs a new contract, pronto.

Obviously the Eagles are worried about winning, but Jackson is worried about dollar bills.

If Jackson can't focus on the game, Vick's air game will suffer and the Eagles return game will falter.

For more on Jackson's contract situation check out the Philadelphia Inquirer: 

The Upside

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against the Chicago Bears trail the play at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Eagles' last five games are their easiest five games.

In all likelihood, they should make the playoffs. But that doesn't mean they will.

They have to hope there are no major injuries and coach Andy Reid needs to make sure to keep his guys focused on the task at hand.

Three wins out of their next five should get them to the playoffs, and a game against the Giants on December 19 should decide the division.

A new-look Dallas team could be cause for concern, as the Eagles play them twice (why couldn't they have played them earlier?), but if you're going to be a playoff team, you need to be able to beat three-win teams.