The pressure is mounting.  Just how number 5 and the rest of the Birds react to this dismal start will save or sink the season.  0-3 = no playoffs. It is just that simple.  They are facing a Lions team that is feeling good about itself, but it is still the Detroit Lions.  They are a pass happy bunch with Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. 

How can anyone expect the Eagles banged up secondary to make plays against the very talented group of receivers that the Lions run out there?

Lito is out. Will James looked terrible last week.  B Dawk’s head is probably still ringing from the stinger he suffered last week.  Sean Considine is limping from a knee contusion. JR Reed has returned to backup at safety so Sheldon Brown doesn’t have to if the bodies are piled up on the sideline.

A look at the Detroit papers shows that their writers are buying into what the Lions are doing.

Detroit Free Press picks for game 3.

 

Mitch Albom – Lions

Nicholas J. Cotsonika - Lions

Drew Sharp – Lions

 

The obits for McNabb are being printed as well.

BY DREW SHARP

FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

The Lions find themselves in that rare position of quarterback executioner. They’re usually the ones facing the firing squad, wearing the requisite blindfold along with protruding cigarette.But they can expedite Donovan McNabb’s exit from Philadelphia with a stunning victory over the Eagles on Sunday.  McNabb is done in Philly if the Lions embarrass him, administering the final insult.  

Read the entire article here - McNabb done if Lions embarrass him

Andy Reid has been called on the carpet by everyone, me included, for the poor preparation and game planning that has been in evidence in games 1 and 2. I have been bummed out all week about what has been happening. I listened to WIP this morning and Phil Martelli is predicting a bad game and maybe a lopsided score, 27-13 Lions. I will be listening Saturday to hear what Ray Didinger has to say, but I feel confident that it will not be a rosy picture. After all of that, Eagles 23 Lions 16.  Screw the logic.  I know what the stats and replays and experts and analysts are saying.  My right brain is saying it too.  SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP! (uh, did I type that out loud?)

 Why am I a fan of Donovan McNabb?  He is a gutsy and tough guy.  He broke his ankle and kept playing.  His sports hernia had him doubled over after throwing, and he kept playing.  TO spit all over him, and he kept playing.  His bruised psyche will not keep him down.  Dopey statements on TV not withstanding, he has character. In the 4th quarter, he started hitting some throws, including a couple of high pressure 4th down throws. If he connects with Curtis on 3rd down it is probably a tie game. That gave me some encouragement, some hope that he is adapting and working out the kinks.  That would have turned a page to a new season. I think that the page turns this week. Donovan will be looking like himself this week and that will be enough to make the game close. Despite the talk about his knee issues, Brian Westbrook will play this week, and look good.  He had knee issues in the early going last year and you would not have known it from the games.  I think that this is a similar type of knee problem. Andy is the winningest coach in Eagles history.  He knows how to win when the chips are down.  I expect elevated performances in game planning and preparation. He and his defensive partner, Mr. Johnson, have planned for and overcome long odds before. The Lions, while off to a good start, are still the Lions.  Bounce back game on Sunday.  If it sounds like I talked myself into it, that is only because I did.  I admire and respect the performances of the key players in this drama over their history.  It is that respect that I am falling back on this week.  At a moment of tension and high drama, I am relying on those that I know and trust.   E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!