Philadelphia has spent so much time perched atop the NFC East the last three seasons that any other team would seem as out of place as a Giants fan in the former 700 level.
The Eagles don't want to lose their hold on the division title. They especially don't want to lose it to Dallas.
The Eagles (11-4) can clinch their third consecutive NFC East title and secure a first-round bye with a victory over Washington tomorrow. However, if they lose and the Cowboys (10-5) beat New Orleans on Sunday, Dallas wins the division.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Philadelphia also would get a first-round bye with a win and possibly home-field advantage, if St. Louis loses at Detroit.
"If we lose, Dallas has a chance at taking our title and that would hurt," said defensive end N.D. Kalu. "We could win the Super Bowl, but if they had the title, it just wouldn't feel right. It's huge for us. I know Dallas is going to go beat New Orleans, so we've got to beat Washington and get the NFC East."
A third straight title hardly seemed possible after an 0-2 start, but a nine-game winning streak -- their longest in 43 years -- has the Eagles in prime position for another championship. The Eagles could have clinched against San Francisco, but a couple of missed field goals and a Donovan McNabb interception in overtime put the celebration on hiatus.
Linebacker Ike Reese, who gets his first start of the season for the injured Carlos Emmons, said the Eagles aren't taking an NFC East title for granted.
"Most people would think, `it doesn't matter to them. They just won nine games, what's one loss,'" he said. "Guys take that to heart. We'll come in here and prepared harder, do the smaller things, pay close attention to detail and have things right."
Washington (5-10) would love to spoil Philadelphia's playoff plans and try and send career sacks leader Bruce Smith out a winner in what is likely his final game.
"It's a heated rivalry and they'll know it's because of them we didn't win the division," said Kalu, a former Redskins. "They would love that. It would almost salvage their season. We can't let that happen. We've got too much to play for."
The Eagles could use a first-round bye to heal up one of the most banged-up defenses in the league. Plus, they could use the rest after playing three games in 13 days, including two on the road.
While staying at home throughout the playoffs would be favorable, it didn't help them in last year's NFC title game when they lost to Tampa Bay.
Saturday's game will be a good warmup for a playoff-type game on the road. They may have to get used to winning on the road because, unless the Rams are upset by the Lions, the path to the Super Bowl in the NFC will go through St. Louis. The Rams finished 8-0 at home this season and have won 14 straight in the Edward Jones Dome.
A win at Washington would also clinch on the road for the first time under coach Andy Reid.
The Eagles won the East at home the last seasons; against the Giants in 2001 and Washington last season.
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