Ever the optimist...

[sportscurmudgeon]

I know that I am often chided here for being pessimistic; I prefer to believe I am realistic, but that's a debate for another time.

I am now going to go at warp speed into "Unbridled Optimism Mode": The NFC Eastern Division championship is up for grabs as of this date. Let me explain why...

I watched the Eagles on TV in each of the first two weeks because that was the game on the Washington TV stations. Last weekend - courtesy of tix owned by "The Client From Hell" - I watched the Eagles beat the Raiders from a VERY plush luxury suite in Lincoln Financial Field. Ladies and gentlemen, Donovan McNabb's injury - no matter what it actually is - has reduced his effectiveness as a QB and that makes the Eagles vulnerable.

Prior to the season and before the war of attrition that is the NFL season began, I did not see a way for the Eagles to lose the NFC East. But the NFL is a league where injuries and missed games are critical factors for teams and Donovan McNabb is not replaceable on the Eagles for a long stretch of games. So, he'll play on, but his effectiveness is severely diminished. I had glasses on him most of the plays last weekend and he was less than ordinary as a QB; he was almost dismal.

The NFC East is back in play. I still don't believe in the Giants; I think their early victories are a mirage. But the Cowboys and/or the Redskins can step out and make a serious run at the NFC East title. The Eagles are not dead and buried; they still have a fine defense and an outstanding running back and WR to make the offense work. But their QB and offensive leader is hurt and it is not a trivial injury.

So, when the Eagles lose on the road this weekend in KC, that will give them 2 losses already. When the Skins eke out a win over the Seahawks, that will put them "two-up" in the loss column. What they need to do then is keep riding that momentum...