Eagles and Bengals...tie?

Yes, it is true, and not a typo. The Eagles and Bengals played to a 13-13 tie on Sunday, proving that, if we didn't already realize it, the team is heading toward implosion. Against arguably the second or third worst team in the league, the Eagles should have realistically had an easy day. They were double-digit favorites, if nothing else. The fact is, with the rest of their schedule, the Eagles needed to win in situations when they should--against teams that are very sub-par. With the Cowboys winning last night, they move back ahead of the Eagles in a tie with the 'Skins for second place in the East.

Next week, the Eagles face a tough Baltimore team, who the Giants managed to shred, just like they did the Eagles. Since the Eagles don't have nearly the run game of the G-Men, I think their gameplan is going to fall flat, just like it did against a much weaker team. Reid has never shown a strong ability to react or make at least minor adjustments. Instead, he sticks with the only thing he clearly knows, and that's how to pass. Unfortunately anymore, he no longer knows how to pass well.

If it comes down to a low scoring affair, which it probably will given the two defenses involved, it may be up to the defense to win the game for the Birds. Or maybe special teams. It seems unreliable to have to depend on the offense anymore. They can't get the job done. Before it was just short-yardage run plays. Now they can't pass and succeed on third down, either, which means they are all out of options. If the Ravens get their own run game going against a defense that has shown inconsistency, it will be a clock-control game and the Eagles will be on the short end of the stick once again.

That is, unless, you believe in miracles. This game against the Bengals could either be the wake-up call the team (mainly Reid) really needed, or it will be quite the opposite, sending the Birds into a downward spiral into oblivion. If the former is the case, it will probably be a first for Reid's career. If the latter, and quite reasonably more probable scenario, takes place, a rather drastic change will be needed by season's end.

So for the rest of the season, the Eagles schedule looks like this:

11/23 - @ Baltimore
11/27 - Arizona
12/7 - @ NY Giants
12/15 - Cleveland
12/21 - @ Washington
12/28 - Dallas

If the team that showed up yesterday doesn't transcend its problems, we may see a final run of five or six losses, which would be nothing short of catastrophic. I think for now, the Eagles will at least win against Arizona and Cleveland. Aside from that, a 2-4 finish it not out of the question, which would leave the Eagles at 7-8-1 and out of the playoffs again.

Well, there's always next year.