And not to throw fuel on the fire of anxiety that burns within the susceptible breast of every Philadelphian, but the Redskins and the Cowboys both have disturbingly easy schedules for the next three weeks, making the Skins game all the more important.
But that's why we were looking at the most interesting day in Philadelphia sports since Ben Franklin invented kite flying. Or something.
A leader reemerges. Not to restate an old cliche, but as Jimmy Rollins goes, so go the Phillies.
The feisty little shortstop led off the game with a homer and suddenly the Phillies reemerged from the slump that had seized them by the throats last week.
Give Big Joe Blanton some credit, give the same to Ryan Madson, Pat Burrell, Jayson Werth and Brad Lidge.
But Rollins' leadoff homer in Game 4 against the Brewers seemed to lift a cloud of doubt off the Phillies' shoulders as they cruised, 6-2.
And the high-flying Dodgers will be here Thursday night.
By the way. Whatever became of Chase Utley?
Once the Phillies most consistent player, he has fallen past slump-ridden to invisibility.
The Chaser was 0-for-3 yesterday and went .133 for the series. Only Carlos Ruiz, who hit an amazingly inept .071, was worse than Utley among the starters.
Welcome to last place. The Eagles' drive to NFC East contention seems to be using a playbook borrowed from the Chicago Cubs.
Once again a startling inability to stop the run led to defeat, this time by 23-17. Once again a routine failure to generate offense in the clutch shared responsibility.
The game turned midway through the second quarter when Sav Rocca punted to the Redskins' 3-yard line. Trailing, 14-3, the Redskins were up against it.
But Clinton Portis carried for 8 yards on first down to basically keep Washington in the game.
