You can analyze the red-zone and short-yardage failures that doomed the Eagles to defeat in the last two games, against Dallas and San Diego.

You can lament the defense's inability to make stops at the end of games and the stupid penalties that have piled up against the special teams.

They have all contributed to the Eagles' 5-4 start, which can only be described as disappointing.

If you want the No. 1 reason the Eagles aren't living up to their aspirations and your expectations, refer to Reid's lead item: injuries.

You will not hear a coach or player at the NovaCare Complex pinning the losses on the field to the losses in the lineup. Safety Quintin Mikell said injuries were never an acceptable excuse.

"Not in my opinion," he said. "The way that I came up, if there's an injury in front of you, that's the only chance you're going to get to play. Those guys stepping in, they need to say, 'Look, this is my time to show what I've got. This is my time to make a name for myself.' You have to have that mentality, and there shouldn't be a drop-off. No, it's not an excuse."

That's the proper mentality and the kind of thinking Mikell used to go from an undrafted player to a second-team all-pro at strong safety. Every rookie and every reserve should think that way.

The reality in the NFL, however, is that when the injuries start piling up, the losses usually aren't far behind.

As the Eagles enter their 10th game tonight, against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, they've already had enough injuries to destroy their season.

Consider this: According to research by Rick Gosselin of the Dallas Morning News, the Eagles' starters lost 53 games to injuries in 2005, the year they won just six times and finished with Mike McMahon at quarterback. The team also placed six starters on injured reserve that year, including quarterback Donovan McNabb, offensive tackle Tra Thomas, and cornerback Lito Sheppard.

Not counted in those games lost were the nine by receiver Terrell Owens, who was suspended by Reid for conduct detrimental to the team. If you count Owens, the total jumps to 62, which would have been the fifth most in the league that season.

Nine games into this season, the Eagles' starters have already lost 38 games to injuries, which is 14 more than they lost all last season and in 2006, seasons in which they reached the playoffs, and seven more than in 2004, when they went to the Super Bowl.

Considering that middle linebacker Stewart Bradley and right offensive tackle Shawn Andrews won't play this season and running back Brian Westbrook and wide receiver Kevin Curtis are out for at least the next few weeks, the Eagles' starters are guaranteed to miss more than 55 games this season.

Only seven of the 60 teams to make the playoffs since 2004 have lost their starters for 55 games or more, and in that period, only the New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl. The Patriots' starters were lost for exactly 55 games that season, 2004.

If, like Mikell, you want to argue that injuries should never serve as an excuse for a team's failure, look to the Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

They have been the NFL's elite teams over the last five years and they've also been the best at overcoming injuries. The Colts' starters missed 81 games two seasons ago and they won 13 games.

The Patriots' starters missed 67 games in 2005 and they still managed 10 wins and an AFC East title. Pittsburgh lost 55 man-games in 2004 and still was 15-1.

More times than not, however, the good teams also have good health. The Cincinnati Bengals are a great example. A year ago, their starters missed a league-high 84 games and they managed just four wins and a memorable tie. A year later, they have a healthy team and a 7-2 record.

So, after tonight's game, if you can, listen carefully to what Reid says after he clears his throat. The Eagles' season is riding on it.

Read The Inquirer's Eagles blog, Birds' Eye View, by Bob Brookover and Jeff McLane, at http://go.philly.com/sports.

Blog response of the week

Subject: News that Joe Mays could be the starter at middle linebacker tonight against the Chicago Bears.

Posted by: Digifant at 5:29 p.m. Thursday

"Mays is a smurf and a TE TD waiting to happen. Everybody knows this. Put Greg Olsen on your fantasy team now - he's going to score at least two TDs and catch 10 passes."

Contact staff writer Bob Brookover at 215-854-2577 or bbrookover@phillynews.com.