Philadelphia Eagles' "D" Looking Super at the Right Time

It’s playoff time gang and what wins championships? D-E-F-E-N-S-E.

Eagles fans everywhere wanted their team to beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, for sure, but few thought they would get into the playoffs.

Ooops! Someone forgot to tell the Eagles. Get into the playoffs and the call in Philadelphia is “we are going to the Super Bowl, baby.”

Yep, the Eagles hammered the Cowboys and Tony Romo, 44-6. Hey, the week before, they fell to the eventual 8-8 Washington Redskins, 10-3. A pitiful offense effort, but the defense really gave up only three points.

Yes, the defense gave up the touchdown to go along with the field goal, but it was a Jason Taylor strip of Donovan McNabb that gave the Redskins the ball on the Eagles 20-yard line.

That’s a paltry eight points a game given up by the Eagles in the past two weeks. In the Dallas game, after getting ahead 24-3 at the half, the Eagles defensive line and blitz package produced two defensive turnovers for touchdowns. When you think about it, that is mighty scary.

Let’s say the Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday and go to the Meadowlands to face defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. The Eagles have the ninth-rated defense and the Giants are ranked seventh overall.

The Eagles and Giants split their regular season games. The Giants went 1-2 going into the playoffs, while the Eagles went 4-1 in their last five games. Pretty even game. Probably the toughest match up of the whole NFC divisional playoffs. The Carolina Panthers have the 10th best defense.

What I am saying is that the Eagles' defense is getting scary good.

Chris Clemons, a free-agent pickup from Oakland, is starting to come into his own. Darren Howard led the Eagles defense with 10 sacks. Asante Samuel is considered the best closing cornerback against the pass.

And what can I say about Brian Dawkins? His strip of Romo gave Clements the chance to score to score on a 73-yard touchdown. I believe his Pro Bowl selection this year will gain him entry into the National League Football Hall of Fame.

Jaqua Parker, Sheldon Brown, Mike Patterson, Joseilo Hanson, Akeem Jordan: Name your favorite Eagles defender.

Hey, the Eagles may even lose Sunday. They might lose to the Giants if they beat the Vikings. But the Giants and Steelers were road dogs the past two years in their respective marches to the Super Bowl crowns, why not the Eagles?

If they make it through the Vikings and the Giants, watch out. They could go all the way and this time, they will not lose the Super Bowl. Tampa here we come!

If not, then to borrow words from former Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Dennis Green (now say it everyone): “They are who we thought they were.”

**photo courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer