Eagles get cold shoulder when it comes to playoff schedule

[Brundlefly]

From the Philadelphia Daily News :

So, just to get this straight, the Seattle Seahawks have 8 days off between their Saturday night gift of a first-round victory over Dallas and their second-round game at Chicago, and the Eagles will get only 6 days off before they play the New Orleans Saints on Saturday night at the Superdome.

How is this fair? It isn't.

Why is it happening? Apparently, the NFL is concerned that Bears fans aren't quite as tough as their reputation.

A league source told the Daily News that worries about having Chicago fans sit outside for a second consecutive night game - the Bears finished the regular season on Sunday night, Dec. 31 against the Packers - are the reason the Bears-Seahawks game is on Sunday afternoon while the Eagles-Saints (to be played indoors) is on Saturday night.

That it is a real competitive disadvantage for the Eagles apparently did not compare to the comfort of Bears fans. Weather ruled over a level playing field - even though this is a league that has played night playoff games in cold weather cities repeatedly in recent seasons, including in Green Bay and New England.

Chicago and New Orleans earned their 14 days off by having the two best records in the NFC this season. Normally, that is an enormous advantage. Enormous just got bigger, though..

[-Jrabbit]

That "league source" is spouting pure BS. Do you really believe that they give a damn what the game attendees are feeling?

This is all about TV ratings. And possibly the league's desire to see New Orleans make it to the NFC chapionship game. Which again, has ratings appeal.

Don't be naive.

[Zopperoni]

If the Eagles win, they'll have an extra day over the Bears/Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, big deal.

[Jaguar]

Originally posted by Zopperoni
If the Eagles win, they'll have an extra day over the Bears/Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, big deal.
Exactly. This is just whining for the sake of it.

Do you know what else isn't fair? The Eagles getting to play against a crappy 8-8 team in the playoffs because the NFC sucks.

[Asher]

You know what else isn't fair? The fact that these fat football players get so much time off. 6 days?? UNBELIEVABLE!

[rah]

Originally posted by Jaguar

Exactly. This is just whining for the sake of it.

Do you know what else isn't fair? The Eagles getting to play against a crappy 8-8 team in the playoffs because the NFC sucks.

I have no problem with this. The weren't good enough to get a bye the first week. But they were good enough to get to play the worst team that made it. At least the team was .500.

Is there really that much difference between a team that is 8-8 or 9-7 or 7-9 for that matter.

[Jaguar]

There's little difference between an 8-8 team and a 9-7 team, if they have similar strengths of schedule. They don't. If the Giants were in the AFC West instead of the Raiders, they'd be lucky to get six wins. The AFC is 40-24 against the NFC this year. The NFC sucks. Not only were the Giants 8-8, but they were 8-8 in a crappy conference.

[-Jrabbit]

Uh, Jag, I think the fair comparison is among teams in the same conference.
No one disputes the AFC's superiority.

[Stuie]

Eagles :b:

[Stuie]

See - they needed that extra day off. :cute:

Oh well. Pitchers and catchers report one month from today. :)

[-Jrabbit]

The Eagles gave it a great shot. An amazing season for them.
Oh, and kiss Garcia good-bye. He's now the top available free agent QB.

[Brundlefly]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
The Eagles gave it a great shot. An amazing season for them.
Oh, and kiss Garcia good-bye. He's now the top available free agent QB.

No one is going to give Garcia a shot at a starting job, so he will stay put. He has already expressed a desire to re-sign with the Eagles.

[-Jrabbit]

It's his last contract. He will test the market to establish cash value first.
If the Eagles go cheap on him, he will then move on.

[Lord Avalon]

Considering McNabb's history of injuries, the Eagles should keep him, and I'd think he'd want to stay, because he might get significant playing time.