Quintin Mikell News

Yesterday, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb called this coming Sunday night's showdown with the Chicago Bears a "must-win for us." Safety Quintin Mikell followed that up this afternoon by saying "this is our Super Bowl right now." Strong words for a game that hardly would knock the Eagles out of playoff contention if they lost.

It was almost as if Chicago, the franchise of Butkus, Singletary and Urlacher, didn't test Eagles middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter in deference to its past.

The Eagles , after an evening of missed opportunities, turnovers, and foolish penalties, finally executed one of those fourth-quarter comebacks last night that had been so elusive over the last two seasons.

Sheldon Brown didn't make a game-saving tackle, or return an interception for a touchdown, or do anything extraordinary.

Cornerback Sheldon Brown "I think the signing is great because someone is giving him an opportunity to redeem his career and let his play speak for itself, so I have a lot of respect for that.

When Donovan McNabb applied "must-win game" to tonight's game at Soldier Field in Chicago, the quarterback created a bit of a stir.

With their backs against the wall, the Eagles turn to their healthiest and freshest set of legs Sunday to get back in the win column.

THE SAN DIEGO game was the first time all season the Eagles' defense was unable to force a turnover, a situation that had something to do with Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers and maybe even more to do with all the guys playing unfamiliar roles, filling injury gaps.

For some players, there is a temptation to try to take on too much when circumstances present opportunity.

History is on the Eagles ' side as they head down the stretch run of what has so far been an uneven regular season.

Did you notice him lining up at left defensive end instead of right defensive end? He and Juqua Parker flip-flopped, but it didn't seem to do Cole much good.

PHILADELPHIA -- At 5-4, the Eagles aren't where they or their fans had hoped they would be right now.

For all the talk of the inexperienced players and rookies who've taken the field for the Eagles on defense the last two weeks, it's worth noting that the Eagles' normally dependable veteran cornerbacks were responsible for two catastrophic defensive plays in the consecutive losses.

None of the Eagles were willing to admit after Sunday's 31-23 loss to the San Diego Chargers that their patchwork defense didn't have enough time or healthy bodies to prepare for the game after learning how short they would be four days earlier.

Here was Chris Gocong's assignment today: Play a position you haven't lined up at since high school and do it despite the fact that you missed the last game with multiple injuries.

Philadelphia commuters had to endure the recent SEPTA strike that denied them bus and subway rides.

The fact that DeSean Jackson has kicked his old agent to the curb and hired Drew Rosenhaus to get him a new megabucks contract from the Eagles hardly comes as a shock.

The secondary has been decimated. The linebackers keep getting hurt. Guys are starting in positions they've never played, and guys who've never played find themselves in key roles.

Let me dispel any notions you may have had that actually being the stadium might have improved the experience of watching last night's clunker against the Cowboys.

It's far simpler, and much more comforting, to write it all off as a lousy spot.