CBS analyst Phil Simms knows a thing or two about the quarterback position. A former first-round pick, Simms was a two-time Pro Bowl quarterback as well as the MVP for Super Bowl XXI during his 14-year career with the New York Giants.

Working the Eagles-Broncos game this Sunday, Simms discussed the man under center for the Eagles - Donovan McNabb. Simms said that McNabb "has had periods this year where he's been as good as any quarterback in the NFL, if not better."

"The one thing I've noticed about him so far is that he seems to be throwing the ball as well as I've ever seen him thrown it," Simms said. "But most of all, he seems quicker and is moving better than I've seen him in a few years. It seems like he's decided he's going to move around a little more than he has. And when he moves, he's more dangerous than most quarterbacks who move because he can get the football down the field with such ease."

McNabb has completed 61 percent of his passes for 3,008 yards and has thrown 19 touchdowns against nine interceptions in 2009. Simms points out that McNabb's improved performance could be a result of the trust he has in the players around him.

"I'm glad we don't have to hear the same storyline about the Eagles that we hear every single year – McNabb needs weapons; he just doesn't have enough weapons. That is over," Simms said. "He has as many weapons as anybody in the NFL. The Eagle receivers, the running backs, the play-calling, you can stack it up with anybody's."

But Simms is quick to point out that McNabb might need to be on top of his game this Sunday. He calls this matchup with the Broncos "a true playoff game" for a number of reasons. And the Broncos defense, which is second in the NFL against the pass, is a "unique" one that at times can be "tremendous."

"Look what they did for periods of time against the Indianapolis Colts and Peyton Manning. The Colts went a time where they couldn't even get a first down. It was three downs and out, three downs and out. Denver was dominating the game for a long period," Simms said. "So that would be a big concern for the Philadelphia Eagles."

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 7:20 a.m., December 26