"One of the purported byproducts in delaying last night's game by 2 days was an enhanced chance at one of the two first-round byes in the upcoming playoffs.

Better weather meant better use of the Eagles' weapons, better rest for their banged-up quarterback and top playmaker. Having secured the division championship Sunday by remaining docile, the Eagles figured they would recycle the formula in last night's walk-through against the Vikings.

Didn't work as well this time.

For one, the Vikings didn't get the walk-through memo. They played as if their only chance of escaping our city was by beating our playoff-bound team.

Decisively.

Minnesota beat the Birds, 24-14, in front of 69,144 disgusted fans. The Vikings sacked Michael Vick six times, hit him at least twice as much, forced him to turn the ball over three times, including one fumble returned for a touchdown. They dominated almost start to finish, played as if they hadn't, as a team, forgiven our quarterback.

"It was an absolutely pathetic job on my part getting my team ready to play," Andy Reid said. "We didn't coach well and we didn't play well. It was a complete tail-whipping right there."

How could this happen? Brett Favre was in plainclothes, still affected by a concussion. Rookie Joe Webb, who began the season as a Vikings receiver, started as quarterback in lieu of any other viable candidate. He threw for 195 yards, ran in a touchdown, wasn't sacked and wasn't picked.

How could this happen? The Vikings were playing with an interim coach, after 4 snow-filled days in our city. Questionable with a bruised thigh on Sunday, Adrian Peterson ran for 118 yards and a touchdown. The Eagles, 18-3 in December under Andy Reid since 2006, were 14-point favorites, playing for the chance to earn a bye.

Which of course, they got.

Just a week earlier than they hoped.

That's what Sunday's game against Dallas now amounts to. With their division locked up and one of the top two seeds now out of their grasp, the Eagles are locked into the third seed and have little incentive to play any regulars in their final home game.

So please don't.

Specifically, don't put Vick and his sore quad out there against another team with nothing to play for but the opportunity to share their hurt. Give DeSean Jackson an extra week to heal an injured foot that, last night anyway, appeared to be sapping his speed."