Yesterday, the Philadelphia Eagles capped off their season finale with an inglorious 17-9 victory over the Buffalo Bills, leaving them at 8-8 and out of the playoffs for the 2007 season. However, there are high notes and hope for this team for the next couple seasons — something that had seemingly been lost about Week 10 — and it’d be surprising if the Iggles weren’t back into the mix of the NFC’s elite in 2008.

This year, even though there was nary a cantankerous, franchise-killing receiver in sight, there was still the inevitable mix of controversy and intrigue that follows any unsuccessful Eagles season. Let’s look back at the season that began with so much hope, but imploded early on and never fully recovered.

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McNabb wins game, keeps perspective, denies annoyance: Donovan McNabb didn’t have an extraordinary, world-beating game, but nor did he turn the ball over. That’s all that was needed yesterday as the Eagles defense provided much of the firepower. Yesterday also saw the return of McNabb’s legs, as he scampered for 53 yards without any ligament tears or ankle sprains. Donovan took his most assertive stand, however, during the post-game press conference, where he denied reports from Fox’s Pam Oliver that he feels like he’s being brushed aside by the Birds. If the Eagles win out, somehow make the playoffs, somehow advance in the playoffs, well, then, his exodus could be interrupted.

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The Eagles are so bad, Bill Conlin’s turning into Dennis Miller: “Eagles president Joe Banner has played the cap the way Heifitz played a Stradivarius.” That’s one quote from the heady Bill Conlin column announcing the death of a the Andy Reid Dynasty. Conlin, usually strapped to the Phillies beat, is summoned to educate Philadelphia’s collective fanbase on all that was lost yesterday, and somehow manages to squash a Hapsburg Dynasty reference in his column for good measure. History lessons aside, the Eagles’ 16-13 loss at home yesterday against a punchless Giants team destined for first-round playoff elimination was horrendous. Yet who didn’t see it coming? Was there ever a doubt that the two-minute offense run by McNabb would result in an incomplete 4th-down four-yard pass play in the middle of the field when they needed six yards? The only thing surprising was how David Akers managed to kick the ball 60 yards, since this season his once powerful, automatic leg appeared to be no longer useful beyond 45 yards. The doink off the right upright just gave this season — and the end of the dynasty — a fitting soundtrack.

Ciara’s take: Death of a dynasty? No. The Eagles are not dead. I refuse to believe that Eli Manning can steer the ship for the Giants for the next five years, and I know that there is no way that the Cowboys can hold this out. This hasn’t been our year, period. Even through all of this, I stand behind Donovan as our starting quarterback. Why? Because six of our eight losses this year are not his fault. Challenge that if you want.

Westbrook can’t save everyone: Brian Westbrook provided his usual Pro Bowl-caliber output yesterday, but once again it isn’t enough to save the season. This team has too may holes in it talent-wise, coaching-wise and spirit-wise for him to fill. Once again, another week of unusual play-calling that seems to drag down momentum like a rusty anchor. When this offense works, it’s seemingly unstoppable. When it doesn’t, it’s boring, listless and uncompetitive. But has it worked effectively for a stretch of time since Jeff Garcia? Not at all.

Ciara’s take: People always bring up talent. Name any of the receivers from our three NFC championship-game teams? You can’t. We’ve done pretty well with mediocre, no-name receivers. Westbrook isn’t the only answer to our problems, as everyone believes. Can we please not look into the future and figure out how to fix now.

Jim Johnson’s tinkering is noteworthy: The defense has improved every week. The young linebackers are getting better each series, plus they can drop back in coverage, and there’s finally push in the front four. And Trent Cole looks like the second coming of Dwight Freeney. There’s a legitimate foundation there. And, finally, they’re starting to get some turnovers. The chances of a victory in the last three games depend heavily on how this unit performs. There. There’s an injection of positivism into this lost season.

Ciara’s take: There was a bit of concern with great uncle Jimmy in the start of the season. Omar Gaither and Trent Cole are the MVPs of the season. When Jeremiah Trotter was released, everyone believed this D was about to hit the dark side. But this team is turning it around. My hate for one person is well noted here, so he shall remain nameless.

Dallas doth sucketh: Just smash Tony Romo. Do something. Make these guys limp into the playoffs because of this game. Don’t give them a first-round bye. Find some semblance of pride and destroy them, even if they’re playing third-stringers by the second quarter. The only thing left to play for is the dashed dreams of of a chronically wounded city.

Ciara’s take: Dallas should have lost yesterday, but as they always do, they find a way to win. The Eagles like to motivate themselves by being the underdog, and this is the personal opportunity to do so. There is a passionate, boiling hate for those imbeciles in Dallas, especially Jerry Jones, who looks like he coughs up dust.

Feeley’s pick-filled plummet back down to earth: Well, the good news is that pesky quarterback almost-controversy is put to rest. The bad news is, the Eagles are now in need of some serious mathematics to make the playoffs. Given the putrid state of the NFC, it’s still a remote possibility. However, all of that feel-good momentum from last week’s near-victory over the Bastard Patriots has all but vanished. Backup quarterback A.J. Feeley made the Seahawks look much better than they actually are by throwing four (four!) soul-crushing interceptions — yet the Eagles were ohsoclose to actually pulling off the victory. It was not meant to be. One reason for Feeley’s overconfidence may have been his Thursday-night meal with ex-lady friend Heather Mitts at the Capital Grille. She’s a worthy distraction and may make many a man feel they can successfully throw a wet ball into triple coverage.

Ciara’s take: There is no justifiable reason for A.J. to start. He’s thrown seven interceptions in two games. Seven. McNabb only has six for the year. There’s a reason why a few people didn’t get caught up in the Feeley hype: He hasn’t won a game this year. Almost doesn’t count. He’s thrown two interceptions that cost the team a chance to win the game. If Donovan was in that situation, he would’ve won the game. The same McNabb you hate helped the Eagles go to a Super Bowl. The same McNabb you want benched for a rookie is a proven winner. The same McNabb you want to leave brought this organizations back to life. The two-thirds of you that don’t like that should dig a hole and throw yourselves in it.

Cat-skinning 101: Even though A.J. should shoulder most of the blame, it wasn’t all his fault. Whatever kind of offensive scheme that was used to shred the Patriots secondary last week was clearly not going to work against the Seahawks with their overactive, athletic linebacker core. Yet the Eagles pushed forward and insisted on throwing the ball when they needed to run, running when they needed to throw — lather, rinse, repeat. All told, this is one of those games that the Eagles could’ve pulled out from a coaching standpoint. The Seahawks weren’t doing anything too crazy or dominating. Once again, Brian Westbrook seemed sorely underutilized. When the other things aren’t working, it seems the best approach is just get the ball to him as much as humanly possible, yes?

Ciara’s take: Why are people still talking about the Patriots? The Eagles didn’t beat the Patriots, remember? Let’s move on, people. The Seahawks outplayed us in every way. Let’s talk about them. Yes, Andy should’ve gotten the point after the second interception to limit the pass plays, but the opposing defense isn’t stupid. Also, there is no way to pull out a four-interception game. Four interceptions that were clearly A.J.’s fault.

Show us your Jim Johnson: Gah. This was the type of game the Eagles defense needed to take over. Clearly it’s not 2002 anymore. Dropped interceptions, fumble recoveries squirting out of reach, and untimely third-down collapses were early indicators that wasn’t going to happen either. Oh, and Sheldon Brown is still searching for his jockstrap that he lost on that Maurice Morris run. Sheesh. The one bright spot again was J.R. Reed who apparently has no problem hurling himself at the other team’s wide receivers without fear of breaking his neck. Good. That’s one thing that’s been missing from the secondary since the early days of Michael Lewis’s reckless head-hunting.

Ciara’s take: I wonder about Sheldon Brown. For about three weeks, he was one of the best corners in the NFC. But after the Cowboys came through, specifically Terrell Owens, and made the secondary look like punks, he’s tanked. Lito missed some tackles and Dawkins appeared a step too slow. The overall hate ultimately falls toward the linebackers. Takeo Spikes, go home.

Remember, we have a new addition: Ciara Todd, our dutiful intern and resident Eagles fanatic, has graciously agreed to add her comments underneath our points. Disagree with her in the comments or at ctodd@phillymag.com.

Feeley making love: It wasn’t implausible that A.J. Feeley (yes, A.J. Feeley) would play well as a starter. He’s done that before, for this team, and proved capable of running the offense. However, nobody expected him to go toe-to-toe with The Patriots Juggernaut. But for three-and-a-half quarters last night, in the wintry confines of Gillette Stadium in Foxoboro, Feeley did everything you could’ve hoped for — except win. What made the performance more remarkable was how it began, with that seemingly spirit-crushing interception on the third play which resulted in the Patriots’ first score. Yet, the impending massacre never happened. Feeley didn’t get rattled, hit the open receivers, and exploited the soft middle in the Patriots secondary for four successful scoring drives. Maybe he was playing with house money and within a perfectly game-planned system by Andy Reid and Jim Johnson. Or maybe his presence and his delivery, like Jeff Garcia’s last year, is the type of quarterback this team needs to be successful. The guy handled himself like a pro during and after the game; he accepted responsibility for the loss, but also left the fans (and, it appeared, the pesky Eagles press corps) with a comfortability in his ability to lead the team. One can only hope he gets another chance to do so before it’s too late.

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Remember, we have a new addition: Ciara Todd, our dutiful intern and resident Eagles fanatic, has graciously agreed to add her comments underneath our points. Disagree with her in the comments or at ctodd@phillymag.com.

McNabb, tweaked again: Donovan McNabb kept up his annual streak of injuring himself in November, as he went down in the second quarter with what the team is calling an ankle sprain. Before this sprain, McNabb was on pace for one of his worst days ever, racking up just 34 yards and two picks before he limped off the field. Just one week removed from a four-touchdown day against the Redskins, Five came out against what some would argue is the worst team in the league and looked flat. Balls were high, balls were wobbly, and the longest completions were to players on the other team. Backup quarterback and former Heather Mitts infiltrator A.J. Feeley came in to salvage the win, but it was Brian Westbrook who did most of the heavy lifting. Once again, the Eagles showcased a confusing game plan to only run the ball early and often — when McNabb isn’t behind center. Why?

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This week in the Eagles Examiner, we have a new addition: Ciara Todd, our dutiful intern and resident Eagles fanatic, has graciously agreed to add her comments underneath our points. Disagree with her in the comments or at ctodd@phillymag.com.

Donovan bites back … sort of: You look at Donovan McNabb’s day yesterday and you’d have to be encouraged: four touchdowns, 251 yards passing, 37 rushing yards and, most important, a win against a division rival. However, it’s tough to say how convincing those throws were: a shuffle-pass to Brian Westbrook, a screen pass to Westbrook, an acrobatic grab by Reggie Brown on a ball that was thrown to the wrong side of him. We’ll give him the L.J. Smith pass. The Redskins penalties helped him out a bunch and, of course, so did Westbrook. After a week of being criticized — and crapping on his teammates — this is the game McNabb needed stat-wise. The brief embrace he had with his equally embattled coach, Andy Reid, on the sideline after the game was wrapped up told you everything: These are two men who desperately needed this win.

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When problems at home become losses at home: If there was one certainty going into last night’s game, it would be that Andy Reid’s family troubles would be at the forefront of any game dissection. From the opening pre-game analysis to the booth banter between John Madden and Al Michaels to the sideline reports, the legal troubles of Coach Reid’s jail-bound kids were the big story. The long-standing rivalry between the Eagles and Cowboys was secondary. Even the always engaging T.O. aspect was rendered insignificant. Each time a camera closed in on sideline shots of Coach Reid, it stayed a little longer, zoomed a little closer, attempting to find some glassy eyes or faraway glances; it searched for any physical signs of the inner trauma most of the world expects under the circumstances. Maybe it was there, but the only time it was evidenced was in the Eagles play. Once again, the offense seemed to pile up lots of yards, move the ball down field, but it never translated into points. The final was 38-17, but the Eagles were down four touchdowns late and Dallas pulled their offensive weapons halfway through the 4th quarter. But the Eagles were dead and beaten long before the final zeros showed.

Damned by faint praise: John Madden gave Donovan McNabb one of the most back-handed compliments in broadcast history last night. To paraphrase: You know, when we see Donovan McNabb miss a receiver, he usually fires it into the ground or is way off the mark, so nobody else gets to it either. That’s probably why he doesn’t throw a lot of interceptions because when he misses, he misses so badly. The way Madden said it, you could almost hear his head shaking. But last night, more than any other game this season, seemed to show the Donovan McNabb we’re left with: a quarterback on the down slope of his career. Although he’ll refuse to acknowledge it, it’s becoming more and more obvious as the season continues to spiral into mediocrity. His game-breaking ability that used to mask his inconsistencies as a passer — his “X” factor, if you will — appears to be gone forever.

A whole lot of nothin’: Brian Westbrook caught a career-high 14 receptions last night. 14. Unfortunately, the bulk of them went nowhere, just check-down tosses that resulted in unremarkable five- or seven-yard scampers to nowhere. He ran the ball somewhat effectively, but the Cowboys smothered him. They covered the screen pass, they never let him get outside, and they took their chances with the rest of the Eagles, ahem, “offense” and pretty much let them ruin themselves. Reggie Brown returned to his role of insignificance. Even Kevin Curtis disappeared this time. Outside of tight-end L.J. Smith’s brief spurts of viability — an addition that was supposed to provide more opportunities — this was, once again, an uninspired offensive performance.

81 is open. Again: Congratulations to the Eagles defense for preventing Cowboys receiver Patrick Crayton from catching one pass all night! However, they seemed to forget about the other Cowboys receiver. Terrell Owens had 10 catches for 174 yards and a score, and appeared to be able to sit in the middle of the field all night without anyone bothering him. I find it hard to believe that the Eagles, well aware of what Owens can do with a soft middle, chose to turn their attention elsewhere. Wherever else they turned it, however, that wasn’t working either. Both Cowboys running backs seemed to bowl over the recently lauded defensive line. The pass rush was nonexistent. Quarterback Tony Romo appeared to not even drop an ounce of sweat, let alone stop smiling throughout the entire game. At least somebody was.

McNabb, take two: The Donovan McNabb revival appears on track. Pick apart his stats yesterday against a defense that was playing very well and it’s the most positive outing he’s had so far this year. (Besides the Swedish throttling he gave the Lions in Week 3.) He seemed swifter, more confident (when was the last time the Eagles have actually called a quarterback draw play?) and reintroduced himself to forgotten wideout Reggie Brown. This was a great win for the Eagles, who can officially reenergize the city with a win in Dallas next week. If not, well, prepare for more questions about Andy Reid’s ability to coach, McNabb’s ability to lead, and how this team’s in its twilight. For now, the official table-running campaign begins at 8:15 p.m. next Sunday.

Smother Peterson: There were moments it appeared he was set to blast off, but the Eagles did an admirable job stalling the Vikings’ world-beating rookie Adrian Peterson. The Purple Jesus was held to just 70 yards and no touchdowns, and was ankle-tackled by defensive stud boy Trent Cole (add another two sacks to his tally; that’s nine for the year) during what could have been a disastrous, soul-crushing romp to the end zone. The Eagles also quickly disposed of former backup Kelly Holcomb, who marched down the field early, but then was sent to the sidelines after Juqua Thomas piledrived him into the turf. Coming into the game, the Vikings had no receivers worth worrying about, and the Eagles defensive backs made them even more irrelevant.

Big play-wha?: The Eagles ditched the dink-and-dunk for an actual downfield passing attack. The receiver of choice was curious: Greg Lewis, playing the slot for whatever reason, matched up on a linebacker, darted down the center of the field and caught a 50-yard pass. Lewis, mostly relgated to special teams mop-up duty since his Week 1 punt return dipshittery, even had another ball thrown his way — in the end zone, no less — but that resulted in an ugly incompletion and his having what appeared to be a mini-stroke. Regardless, Reggie Brown showed up with eight receptions for a career-high 105 yards, and Kevin Curtis caught a pass with his right elbow. And, of course, Brian Westbrook added his usual output as running back/receiver/show pony. Hey, nice of L.J. Smith to come back. Great pass-blocking, L.J. Really inspired.

A victory next week could wash away the rain: If the Eagles happen to beat Dallas next week in prime time, the rush to jump on the empty Birds bandwagon could very well tip it over, roll it off the cliff, and kill everyone on board. If they win, however, remember that they’ll be at .500 for the year. Hooray. The Eagles most likely need to 8-1 to even start thinking about playoffs. Call it progress that the scenario doesn’t seem that far-fetched as it was two weeks ago.

Tough to wipe off the stink: A 19-16 loss; a 2-4 record. Last place in the division. Another sign that something is amiss at the core of the 2007 Eagles. The Birds appeared to be in control of this game, only to get trampled in the final two minutes by a Chicago Bears offense that had seemed even more punchless than their own. Ironically, the defense, which has been one of the lone bright spots for the Eagles this year, let the Bears roll 97 yards into the end zone for the final, deflating touchdown. It’s tough to say that the season’s officially over, since this team still seems to have an odd burst of consistency every now and again. Yesterday’s loss and last week’s flat performance against the Jets make that 56-point explosion in the Detroit game even more confounding. If the Eagles are a good team playing terribly, then who’s responsible? Yes, I’m still not convinced they completely stink. However, sadly, that seems to be the only thing left to be determined.

The two faces of Donovan: Something fluttered inside when Donovan seemed to gallop gimp-free over to the sidelines and hop over the first-down marker. There he is, I thought, there’s our quarterback. After some missed open receivers, a few high throws and some fired into the dirt, the thought remained. McNabb didn’t play horribly, but he still seems to be managing an offense built to just move the ball down field, not actually put it in the end zone. The Eagles are playing offensive bocce ball, really. How long before it’s time to start moving on from this era of glorious unfulfilled expectations? Some say now.

Trent Cole, sack machine: Trent Cole has seven sacks this season. Seven. He’s quietly becoming one of the best defensive ends in football and one of the most consistent guys on the team. Does anybody even know what he looks like without his helmet on? It’s a shame that, with the way the rest of the team is playing and its putrid record, he seems destined to have a Pro Bowl season that’ll be woefully forgotten. And Omar Gaither’s transition from bubbling understudy to sturdy anchor is progressing nicely. But as well — or, better, encouragingly — as the Eagles D has played so far this year, yesterday’s loss still proves they’re not ready to win games all by themselves yet.

Drowning: Are we still supposed to believe Andy Reid is 100 percent with this team? That the micromanaging, sure-of-himself leader, whose central focus in life is this team and his players, still exists under that bushy red mustache? Bullshit. Granted, nothing ever comes out of those press conferences, but that spark in the eyes isn’t there anymore. The games that Andy Reid has lost this year have far outnumber the ones he’s won. At what point, honestly, is it right to start asking questions about life without him? Soon. Very soon. Of course, if he beats Dallas in two weeks that’ll be a conversation for another day.