Five Reasons Why Michael Vick and The Philadelphia Eagles Will Win The NFC East

It's late in the NFL season and the Philadelphia Eagles look like Super Bowl contenders. Led by surging quarterback Michael Vick, the Eagles are 8-4 and currently sit atop the rugged NFC East.

With just a few weeks left before the postseason, it's time we take a look at why Philadelphia will beat out the rest of the NFC East field and secure a home playoff game as the division champion.

Here are five reasons why Michael Vick and the Eagles will soar above the rest and reclaim one of the toughest divisions in professional sports.

Remaining Schedule

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Kicker David Buehler #18 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys reacts after missing a field goal to tie the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Cowboys Stadium on November 25, 2010 in A

At 8-4, the Eagles control their own destiny in the division. Because three of their four remaining games are against divisional opponents, they can win out and secure the NFC East crown.

Two of those three divisional games are against the Dallas Cowboys (3-8), including a Week 17 matchup in Philadelphia that would possibly lock up the division.

However, the most important game remaining for the Eagles by far is their Week 15 meeting at the New York Giants (7-4). New York is just one game back of the Eagles due to a tiebreaker.

Philadelphia will be favored in the remainder of its games and a win over the Giants in two weeks will likely see it through to an automatic playoff berth.

Bounce Back Ability

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs to avoid Anthony Adams #95 of 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)

No team bounces back after a loss like the Eagles. The Birds are 4-0 following a loss this season, including a 34-24 win over the Houston Texans in Week 13 following a road loss at Chicago a week earlier.

Michael Vick's steady hand has not only provided some stability for the Philadelphia offense this season, but also consistency.

Though it only takes one loss in the playoffs to put a team's season to bed, Philadelphia's consistent play as of late, winning four out of its last five games, puts it into the discussion as a Super Bowl favorite.

Ground Attack

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for yardage 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)

Philadelphia's offense has developed into one of the league's best this season. The Eagles rank seventh and third in passing offense and rushing offense respectively.

That's right, third in rushing. Hard to believe an Andy Reid team would rank third in the NFL in rushing, but Michael Vick is playing quarterback after all.

However, perhaps one of Philadelphia's most overlooked players is running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy has been the perfect compliment to Michael Vick's game, providing an excellent option for Vick once he escapes the pocket, as a shifty playmaker in the open field.

McCoy's rushing has been superb as well. He averages nearly five yards per carry and he is closing in on his first career 1,000-yard season.

The Eagles aren't one-dimensional anymore and an elusive ground attack goes a long way in the postseason.

Battle-Tested Defense

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles 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/Getty Images

Well if defense wins championships, then the Eagles are certainly in the running for the Lombardi Trophy. Statistics won't tell the whole story for Philadelphia which ranks middle of the pack in opposing passing and rushing yards.

It's the timely turnovers and stretches of dominance that have the Eagles at 8-4, and, yes, a little bit of luck (Eli Manning fumbling by himself in Week 11).

But, regardless, the Eagles' defense has been able to get the better of some of the NFL's best offenses this season, including those of the Colts, Texans, Giants and Falcons.

Despite what the final score showed, Philadelphia throttled the NFC-leading Atlanta Falcons in Week 6, with Kevin Kolb at quarterback. Atlanta would be wise to win the top seed if it wants to avoid going back to Philly.

Similar to the Saints' defense a year ago, the Eagles can create turnovers (Asante Samuel's seven interceptions) and they have a good enough offense to put up enough points to win.

A Turnover-Less Michael Vick

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

Maybe one of the biggest reasons the Eagles find themselves in position to win the NFC East and, possibly, the NFC's top seed is Michael Vick's handling of the football this season.

Not only is Vick back to playing at an MVP level, but he is doing it while caring for the ball and constantly putting the Philadelphia defense in winning positions.

Vick has 21 total touchdowns this season and only five turnovers (three fumbles and two interceptions). Even more surprising, Vick didn't have an interception until a tipped pass was picked off by the Bears in Week 12.

Vick has managed to cancel out the bad that comes with his explosive game—the fumbles and forced throws.

Once he escapes the pocket, he becomes even more dangerous, because if he can't make the play with his feet, he will get rid of the ball. Instead of a turnover, the Eagles get another down and the defense has to worry about Vick and the Philly offense staying on the field.

Indeed, an accurate, quick and smart Michael Vick might just be the best quarterback the league has ever seen given the fact that never before in NFL history has a player brought what Vick brings to the game: excitement, talent, quickness, elusiveness and now a new-found intelligence and understanding of what it takes to win.

Comments

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Fans of the Philadelphia Eagles hold up a sigh which reads 'It's Always Sunny in Vick -adelphia in reference to quarterback Michael Vick against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadel

Have any thoughts about the Eagles or the 2010 NFL season? Drop a comment and we'll talk about it.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and a writing intern for Bleacher Report.