Monday Night Football: Eagles can soar over Saints

Michael Vick has a point to prove

Romilly Evans expects Michael Vick to finally galvanise his Philly offense as they visit New Orleans in MNF

This week's Monday Night Football pits two of this season's biggest disappointments against each other in a match where one will shed their under-achieving tag - well, at least for a game. Had this match-up taken place at the start of the year, most would've said that it was a regular season encounter between two genuine post-season contenders.

No-one's saying that now, as the Philadelphia Eagles (3-5) and the New Orleans Saints (2-5) have laboured to slow starts which have been defined by sloppy offensive mistakes and a lack of defensive backbone. While both sides have erred on each side of the ball, it is Michael Vick - as ever - who has been carrying the can for Philly's lack of production.

The one-time human highlight reel has been filing footage for the cutting room floor this term and Vick himself appreciates that the Eagles rise or fall with his changeable form. "I get it, and it hasn't been good enough," admitted the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback. "I'll accept what ever course Andy Reidn/a takes."

Vick was responding to media criticism of another mediocre performance (admittedly against the undefeated Atlanta Falcons) during last Sunday's 30-17 loss, where he threw for 191 yards and completed of 21 passes of 35 attempts with one touchdown. But despite that, coach Reid is keeping the faith that his QB's class will return. It will need to - and quickly - since Philly are now on a three-game losing streak (second in the NFC East) and dropping further behind the New York Giants, who still hold a three-match lead over their main divisional rivals.

Vick's problems off the field of play (where he was imprisoned for his role in a dog-fighting ring) have been well-documented. As has his new-found humility and his charitable efforts in the neighbouring community. Vick's rehabilitation is certainly to be applauded and be may soon be able to own dogs again. However, the rehabilitation Philly fans most want to applaud can only be seen through the lens of his efforts on the pitch. Here, Vick has been falling short of his prodigious abilities, with turnovers aplenty, featuring some very cheap fumbles.

The 32-year-old, now in his fourth season with the franchise, needs to start repaying some of the belief Reid put in him. And with the eyes of the nation looking on, where better to start a play-off push than tonight against the Saints? Vick has been marginally inconvenienced by a thumb injury sustained pre-season against Pittsburgh but his throwing paw is now back to peak condition. He will doubtless be eager to prove the point against an opponent which has allowed over 400 yards of offense in every game this year. Should he fail again, though, then Reid will have little option to make him one of the poorer value bench-warmers in league history.

Of course, for all New Orelans' ineffectual defense, the Saints do have a marked propensity to level things up on offense under the assured guidance of Drew Brees. However, such have been the losses in the Points Conceded category, that even Brees has been unable to make the books balance in the Saints' favour. He may be riding the longest NFL streak for consecutive games with a TD pass (currently at the 50 mark), yet such stats often deflect away from more pressing problems. New Orleans will always be dangerous (although their sleeping-giants badge is losing its stickability) but they continue to fall short of both expectations and the handicap.

With star running back, Darren Sproles, now out of action for a few games with a broken hand, New Orleans appear ripe for the picking, especially with Philly's field-goal headstart. Vick has triumphed in five of his seven career starts against the Saints and I'd expect that trend to endure. After all, cut out the mental lapses and he is still an elite quarter-back. "Oh, no question," agrees attention-starved Eagles wide man, Sean Jackson. "Everyone knows what Mike Vick's capable of doing - and he'll do even better if he can get the ball to me!"

Recommended Bets:

Back Philadelphia Eagles (+3.5 points) on the Match Point Spread @ 1.824/5 or better
Back Philadelphia Eagles (+2.5 points) on the First-Half Point Spread @ 1.910/11 or better
Back Over 51.5 Total Points @ 1.910/11 or better