Eagles Soap Opera Lost In Phils Frenzy

There is plenty of drama going with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the local frenzy over the Phillies has put the Birds on the back burner.

The Eagles face three huge NFC East games with infighting, gossip and questions in the background. So it may be a break for the Eagles that the team's troubles aren't front-page news.

For those of you following the Phillies instead, here is a recap:

1. The Eagles took a bad beating from the lowly Oakland Raiders.

2. Brian Westbrook is publicly unhappy with his role on the Eagles, in what may be his last season in Philadelphia

3. Todd Herremans is back and will replace former starter Nick Cole. Herremans also will be the backup left tackle to Jason Peters

4. Peters is taking a lot of heat for saying he could have played in the Oakland game, and spared the Eagles from using the woeful King Dunlap. But he didn't.

5. Donovan McNabb was bad in Oakland and Kevin Kolb is poised to be McNabb's successor.

6. Michael Vick has been a total bust in Philadelphia

7. The Eagles will use their fourth starting middle linebacker of the year, Will Witherspoon, in Washington

8. Jeremiah Trotter's comeback is pretty much dead

9. The Eagles are down to four wide receivers as Kevin Curtis remains injured.

10. The Eagles put Andy Reid's new contract on the back burner.

The Redskins game in Washington night looks identical to the Raiders game, as the Eagles face a desperate team with a great defensive line.

If the Eagles get by the Redskins, the Giants and Cowboys are next. But unlike last year, 9 wins will not get the Eagles in the playoffs.

So the team needs to take at least two of these three games to have a shot at the playoffs.

The Eagles remain 7 point favorites against Washington, a team that beat the Eagles twice last season.

Add to those factors the presence of Jon Gruden in the booth Monday night. Gruden is the former coach who would most likely replace Reid if the team changes coaches next year, or Reid decides on a career change.