Saturday is only two days away, which means we're that much closer to game time! What better way to celebrate the holidays than with the Eagles? For now, check out the December 24th edition of the Read-Option and get cuaght up on all the latest content ...

Eagles Focus Is On Short-Term Success - Dave Spadaro

*The Eagles are focused on Saturday's game only ...*

"'I don't think about things in this big-picture sort of way that maybe you guys (reporters) think about or need to think about,' linebacker Connor Barwin said. 'For me, it's about preparing for the game on Saturday night. I'm viewing it as a playoff game, essentially, almost as a playoff game. It's win and move on or lose and season is over (as far as playoffs are concerned). We need to play our best football. We need to prepare and have a great week.

'They're going to show up and do the same thing. It should be a great game. Hopefully, we'll come out on top.'

The task is a significant one for the Eagles against Washington, a team that has won two straight games, that has a multitude of offensive weapons and a defensive front that has in recent matchups given the Eagles fits. Quarterback Kirk Cousins leads the NFL in completion percentage. He beat the Eagles in Week 4 with a touchdown pass that completed a 15-play, 90-yard drive for the winning points, a game that the Eagles trailed 13-0 before scoring 20 second-half points to take a lead, only to lose at the end.

It was a frustrating day at FedEx Field, but one that has pretty accurately described the season to date. The Eagles offense, expected to be so prolific after an offseason overhaul, was dormant for a half -- a touchdown was nullified by penalty on the final possession of the second quarter, and Caleb Sturgis then missed a chip-shot field goal on the final play of the half -- and then came to life in spurts in the third quarter to get back in the game. The Eagles took the lead a few plays into the fourth quarter and then just couldn't handle the prosperity, couldn't put the game away, and Washington won in the end.

And so here the Eagles stand, 6-8 and in need of a win on Saturday night to keep their playoff aspirations alive."

Tweet Of The Day

Get To Know The Washington Redskins

*Take a look at Washington's playmakers ...*

Didinger: 2004 Team Provided Super Feeling - Ray Didinger

*The 2004 Eagles team was certainly a special one ...*

"The Eagles were 13-1 at one point, but with Owens injured and Reid opting to rest many of his star players, they dropped the final two games of the regular season to finish 13-3. Reid's decision was questioned by some who felt losing the two games would send the Eagles into the postseason with no momentum. They dispelled that theory by easily disposing of Minnesota, 27-14, in the NFC Divisional Playoff then finally clearing the NFC title game hurdle by defeating Atlanta, 27-10, in a frigid Lincoln Financial Field.

'There was so much talk about the three (championship) games we had lost and the pressure of getting over the hump,' McNabb said, 'but we had a lot of confidence in ourselves. It is funny but it snowed the day before the game and it was freezing cold and it was one of those days where you could find all kinds of things to worry about but we never doubted ourselves. We had worked all year for that opportunity and we weren't going to let it get away.'

McNabb threw two touchdown passes to tight end Chad Lewis, Westbrook ran for 96 yards on 16 carries and caught five passes for another 39 yards and the defense shut down Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick. As the final seconds counted down, Reese and defensive tackle Corey Simon showered Reid with Gatorade while the fans rocked the Linc with chants of "Super Bowl, Super Bowl."

As the confetti flew, McNabb held the NFC Championship trophy aloft and saluted the fans.

'It's just a great feeling for the City of Philadelphia,' he said.

A decade later, that feeling remains."

Eagles Greats Return To Raines High School

*These Eagles greats recently returned to their high school ...*

Other Views

Bradford Is Healthy, Playing Well - Jeff McLane, Philadelphia Inquirer

*The quarterback has been putting forth his A-game ...*

"Bradford has missed two games, but not because of his surgically repaired left knee. That doesn't mean the twice-torn anterior cruciate ligament that caused him to miss almost two years of football hasn't had a residual affect.

On Wednesday, Bradford revealed that his knee was sore coming out of training camp and into the early part of the season. While that may seem obvious after back-to-back rehabs, the Eagles had avoided linking his early-season woes to the knee.

But Bradford has clearly been a different quarterback over the last two months compared with the first two. A growing familiarity with the offense and his teammates, he said, has had an influence on his performance. But trusting his left knee - on his plant leg - has been just as beneficial.

'Even though I went through everything, it was still maybe a little sore coming out of training camp,' Bradford said. 'And I just feel like it's gotten stronger as the year has gone on. But also I just feel like I have more confidence.

'I think until you get out there and actually play in a live game and take some hits, I think you're always a little cautious. And I think it took me getting out there and doing that to really trust it.'"

Fletcher Cox Guarentees A Win - Josh Paunil, Birds 24/7

*Cox says he and the Eagles will get the victory ...*

"After being named to his first Pro Bowl last night, Fletcher Cox was surrounded by reporters at his locker today. Cox relayed his excitement about the honor, but quickly shifted his focus to the Eagles' game on Saturday against Washington.

'Yeah, it was one of my goals [to be a Pro Bowler], but I think the biggest relief will be when we win on Saturday,' Cox said.

A reporter followed up by asking if the Eagles defensive lineman was guaranteeing a win.

'Yeah, I'm guaranteeing a win,' Cox said. 'What am I supposed to say? That I think we're going to lose or something? No.'

Philadelphia's matchup against Washington is a de facto elimination game, as the Eagles can't make the playoffs if they lose. If they win, and then beat the Giants in Week 17, they will be the NFC East champions and earn a playoff spot.

Cox added that he hopes he doesn't even make the trip to Hawaii, because that would mean the Eagles made the Super Bowl."