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RAMS FACE SOARING EAGLES IN PRIME-TIME SHOWDOWN AS PLAYOFFS LOOM One team already in the playoffs. Another vying for them. That’s the background this week as the Philadelphia Eagles travel to St. Louis for a Monday night matchup against the Rams.
"There are all kinds of reasons to have optimism for the playoffs," says Rams head coach MIKE MARTZ. "That’s how we’re going to look at it." ABC’s NFL Monday Night Football brings down the curtain on its 35th regular-season schedule this week, and the Rams are thrilled that the calendar says December and they are returning home. After two difficult road losses at Carolina and Arizona, St. Louis is hoping home-cooking is a recipe for success. The Rams have won 11 consecutive December home games -- the second longest current such streak in the NFL -- compiling an impressive 8-0 home record under Martz in the final month of the year. A look at the best home records in December since 2000 and the longest active home winning streaks in the month:
Another reason for optimism in St. Louis is the potential return of starting quarterback MARC BULGER, who has missed the past two games with a shoulder injury. Bulger, listed as probable for Monday night, was among the league leaders in several passing categories at the time of his injury, and hopes to return to form against the Eagles. Philadelphia has secured homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with a franchise-record 13 wins with only one loss. This week, an NFL-high nine Eagles – quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB, wide receiver TERRELL OWENS, tackle TRA THOMAS, linebacker JEREMIAH TROTTER, safeties BRIAN DAWKINS and MICHAEL LEWIS, cornerback LITO SHEPPARD, kicker DAVID AKERS and special teamer IKE REESE – were named to the Pro Bowl. The Eagles, owners of a perfect 11-0 record against NFC opponents, can accomplish a rare feat with a win Monday night. A victory will make Philadelphia only the fourth team since the adoption of the AFC and NFC conferences in 1970 to finish a season undefeated against conferences foes. And they would join a group of perhaps three of the greatest teams in NFL history – the 1972 Miami Dolphins, 1984 San Francisco 49ers and 1985 Chicago Bears. The teams to finish a season undefeated in conference play (the previous three having all concluded the season with a Super Bowl victory):
MONDAY NIGHT MUSINGS – PHILADELPHIA EAGLES AT ST. LOUIS RAMS RIPTIDE Eagles tackle JON RUNYAN became a majority owner of the AFL2’s San Diego Riptide this November. Runyan had been intrigued about getting involved with different levels of football, and after a suggestion from his financial advisor, he purchased a minority stake last year in the Arena League franchise. Runyan was involved with the franchise from the start of the season, attending games, offering personnel advice, and touring media outlets promoting his team. "It’s something I have an interest in and I have knowledge of," says Runyan. "So it makes it a little fun, too." -- MNF -- MOST TREASURED POSESSION The Eagles were down to the last play of their 2003 season. Facing a fourth-and-26, and trailing the Green Bay Packers 17-14 in the divisional playoffs, FREDDIE MITCHELL hauled in one of the most memorable fourth-down conversions in NFL history. The 28-yard catch set up kicker DAVID AKERS’ 37-yard field goal in the final seconds en route to an overtime victory and berth in the NFC Championship Game for the third consecutive season. Mitchell not only hung on to quarterback DONOVAN MC NABB’s pass, but he has hung on to the No. 84 jersey he was wearing. "My fourth-and-26 jersey from the play I made in last year’s playoff win is my most prized possession," says Mitchell. -- MNF -- TYOKA’S TROOPS This week, Rams defensive tackle TYOKA JACKSON and wide receiver ISSAC BRUCE hosted a "Tyoka’s Troops" blood drive. Jackson is partnering with the American Red Cross to express the need to donate blood by hosting several such drives this season. He also donates tickets to each Rams home game to donors who attend the blood drives. "Tyoka’s Troops" consists of children throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area who have a particular need for blood products. -- MNF -- EMPTY STOMACH When he was a rookie in 1997, Rams six-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle ORLANDO PACE thought he was going to enjoy a nice dinner with a bunch of veterans at a local steak house. He should have known better. "They are ordering more and more food," says Pace. "Luckily they only had three or four lobsters left in the restaurant. I’m just sitting there at the table shaking my head. Then they handed me this bill for more than five grand, and said, ‘Welcome to the NFL.’" |
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