7 Reasons Philadelphia Eagles Have Hit Their Stride and Will Mount a Win Streak

Finally.

For the first time since the NFL's opening weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles have won a game.

After four straight losses, the Eagles trekked down to our nation's capital to fight for their playoff lives against the Redskins.

This was the first time the Eagles returned to the scene of their 2010 Monday night massacre.

No historic marks were set this time around. However, there was one key similarity: an Eagles win. 

The Eagles must continue to fight their way back into contention one week at a time. Desperation is not a thing of the past, but there are reasons for optimism.

Here are seven reasons to expect the Eagles to turn this season around.

Bye Week: Getting Healthy

The Philadelphia Eagles' bye week has arrived.

After six straight games, everyone is banged up, even those who do not appear on the injury reports. This week will be a chance to rest and hopefully allow the nicks and scratches to heal.

The Eagles are also waiting on two of their best players to come back from leg injuries. The team has been forced to play the last two weeks without their top offensive and defensive linemen.

Trent Cole has been sidelined with a calf strain, while Jason Peters has missed time with a hamstring injury.

There are no definite timetables for return quite yet, but look for these Pro Bowlers to be back shortly after the bye.

Defensive end Brandon Graham will also be back following the bye. Last year's first-round pick started the season on the PUP list, but should be ready to go when the Eagles return to action.

We will have to wait and see how much Graham can contribute after a devastating knee injury, but it can't hurt to have another healthy option on the line.

Getting some of their talented big men back will certainly help the Eagles' efforts to get back on track.

3 Straight Home Games

A glance at the schedule offers another reason to be optimistic.

Coming out of the bye, the Eagles have the luxury of three straight home games.

Week 8's Sunday night game pits the Eagles against the division rival Dallas Cowboys.

Andy Reid has traditionally had a great deal of success coming off of bye weeks. The Eagles need that success to continue, as this will be considered another must-win game.

In Weeks 9 and 10, Philadelphia hosts the Chicago Bears and Arizona Cardinals.

A three-week home stretch is exactly what the Eagles need to put together a string of wins.

LeSean McCoy and the Running Game

Since Andy Reid's arrival in 1998, the Eagles have been a passing team.

The casual obersever may be surprised to find out that the Eagles have the NFL's top ranked rushing attack.

Michael Vick's contributions put this team over the top, but don't sleep on LeSean McCoy.

McCoy is one of the game's best young backs and is proving it this year.

Through six games, he has piled up 569 rushing yards and found the endzone eight times.

Against the Redskins, Reid's star running back gained 126 yards on a season-high 28 carries. McCoy has proven that not only can he handle this sort of workload, but that he can thrive with it.

If the Eagles are going to put together a win streak, McCoy will surely be at the center of it.

Winning the Turnover Battle

Turnovers have killed the Eagles this season.

Michael Vick has given the ball away nine times, and even the sure-handed Jason Avant has coughed the ball up.

In addition to the the offensive struggles, the Eagles defense had a hard time creating turnovers; until Sunday, that is.

Kurt Coleman had a career day hauling in three of Rex Grossman's four interceptions. Fellow safety Nate Allen recorded the other pick.

Vick and his backup, Vince Young, each threw an interception, but despite the two giveaways, the Eagles still finished the day plus two in turnover differential.

More often than not, the team that wins the turnover battle wins the game.

Improving Offensive Line

The offensive line was a huge question mark as the Eagles entered the season. There were new faces, a new position coach and a new scheme.

The problems started early, and the line opened the season just as poorly as many feared.

Danny Watkins, drafted to be an immediate starter, opened the season on the inactive list. Guard Todd Herremans was forced to move to tackle. Rookie Jason Kelce experienced the NFL learning curve the hard way.

Now, little by little, this unit is getting better.

The rookies are learning, and more reps should help everyone to continue growing in Howard Mudd's system. 

There is still plenty room for improvement, but the offensive line is inching closer to where it needs to be.

If this line can give Michael Vick a consistent pocket, the Eagles offense will be tough to stop.

Run Defense: Nowhere to Go but Up

Sunday was a bad matchup for the Eagles defense. The Redskins are in first place because of their ability to control the game with a strong rushing attack.

The Eagles have been among the league's worst at stopping the run.

It was shaping up to be a tough afternoon.

Philadelphia managed to jump to an early lead, which forced the Redskins to throw more than they would have liked.

However, the Eagles of the past few weeks showed that regardless of score, you could beat this team with big plays on the ground.

On Sunday, the defense stepped up. They did not miss many tackles and had multiple bodies flying to the ball.

They held a strong Redskins ground game to just 42 yards on 14 carries.

This was an outstanding performance from the much maligned Eagles defense. Hopefully, it is a sign of things to come.

Secondary Will Gel

The Eagles have had a long list of problems this year. The poor play of their safeties is right near the top.

There have been far too many poor angles taken, missed tackles and miscommunications in the secondary.

Nnamdi Asomugha is talented, but still learning a new system. Asante Samuel is a ball-hawk, but at times bites on double moves and needs safety help.

In order to play to its lofty potential, this secondary must grow as a cohesive unit.

Sunday, was an excellent day for Kurt Coleman and Nate Allen. The Eagles would like to see that level of play from their safeties on a regular basis.

Much like the offensive line, this unit will improve over time as they become more familiar with one another and Juan Castillo's coverage packages.