Eagles vs. Seahawks: Cross-Country Trip Will Doom Haunted Eagles

I am sure that the NFL had different things in mind than a battle of 4-7 teams when they scheduled the Eagles and Seahawks for Week 13's Thursday Night Football game.

After all, each team was a division champion in 2010. Surely both teams would at least be in contention. Well, not quite. 

The Eagles are a little closer to contention, as the team leading their division is 7-4, while Seahawks find themselves behind the 49ers who are 9-2. Both teams will be watching the playoffs from home. 

Still, there's no need to look that far ahead. There is a game to play on Thursday, so let's look at that. 

The NFL has not done a great job scheduling these Thursday games. The Jets had to travel across much of the country to take on the Broncos, the 49ers had to travel across the country to take on the Ravens, now the Eagles have to do the same against the Seahawks. 

That's tough enough to do on a full week, but it's part of the game. When we're talking about a week that's three days shorter, it's just too deep a hole.

That's what will doom the Eagles this week. The 2011 season will go down as one that the Eagles and their fans will want to forget as soon as humanly possible, and it's not going to get any better this Thursday. 

They are already a team battling injuries, and now have a short week and cross-country trip to deal with. Too much is being asked of the Eagles. 

Now, it won't make a huge difference this week, as neither the Eagles or Seahawks are contending teams. 

Still, this is something that the NFL must look into for future seasons. These games need to be between geographically close teams. 

This week, it's going to haunt the Eagles. 

They still don't defend the run well and Marshawn Lynch is beginning to heat up. Also, as the Eagles seem to be in a state of disarray, who knows who's going to play?

The Eagles are the better team in this one, but it won't show up this week. Too much is working against them.