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In alternate universe, Eagles prepare for Super Bowl

BIZARRO VALLEY, Ariz. - Well, here we are (how's that weather back home?), but even now it's still a little hard to believe that Chip Kelly, in just his second season as head coach of an Eagles team that finished 4-12 two years ago, was able to lead the team all the way to Super Bowl XLIX and a matchup next Sunday against those cheating New England Patriots.

Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. (David Maialett/Staff Photographer)
Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. (David Maialett/Staff Photographer)Read more

BIZARRO VALLEY, Ariz. - Well, here we are (how's that weather back home?), but even now it's still a little hard to believe that Chip Kelly, in just his second season as head coach of an Eagles team that finished 4-12 two years ago, was able to lead the team all the way to Super Bowl XLIX and a matchup next Sunday against those cheating New England Patriots.

Strange but true and it's worth reflecting on the fact that none of this had to happen and, to be honest, the magical ride was almost derailed in the final weeks of the regular season.

None of that matters now, however. The buildup to the big game - and to perhaps the first championship for the franchise since 1960 - is just there to be enjoyed now, starting with the annual media day on Tuesday when the rest of NFL Nation (and NFL World!) will catch up with the occasionally implausible story lines that carried the Eagles this far.

The obvious headline is the resurgence of Nick Foles in the playoffs, of course. Any lingering notion that Kelly hadn't already found his franchise quarterback was erased as Foles broke postseason records in leading the Eagles past the Lions, Packers and Seahawks to climb to the very top of the NFC pyramid.

There's plenty more to talk about, naturally. Shady McCoy, like Foles, rebounded from a quiet early season to become a force down the stretch once the offensive line stabilized, and the defense, regarded as the team's weakest link, came alive when it counted, led by postseason hero Bradley Fletcher. "Secondary to None" is the defensive backfield's new nickname, and it's a fitting one.

What NFL insiders will be really exploring, however, is how this seamless organization was constructed in so short a time and how it operates. When Kelly and Howie Roseman descended the steps to the tarmac after the team plane touched down at Sky Harbor Airport, it was hard to remember those midseason whispers that the coach and the general manager don't actually get along.

Sure, Kelly puts together the roster, but it is Roseman who organizes the scouting department's recommendations and places the candidates in front of him. There's mutual respect there, and it's easy to see that this is a partnership that will surely endure the test of time.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves - which is easy to do with a potential championship just six days away and a parade down Broad Street soon to follow - let's take a quick look back at the whirlwind that lifted the Eagles and finally set them down in this sunny moment of franchise history.

Every Eagles fan knows this whole thing could have come apart Dec. 14 when the Eagles, against a Dallas team they had kicked around on Thanksgiving, somehow fell behind, 21-0, at Lincoln Financial Field. Needing just a win over the Cowboys to secure the playoff tiebreaker in the NFC East, it would have been disastrous if the Eagles didn't battle back with three rushing touchdowns (two by Chris Polk, one by Darren Sproles) and a Cody Parkey field goal to gain a 24-21 lead with less than six minutes left in the third quarter.

That was fine, but then it was up to the defense, and Fletcher finally made Tony Romo and Dez Bryant pay for picking on him once too often. Twice too often, actually. After the game, defensive coordinator Bill Davis was asked how he had the courage to stay with that matchup after two first-half touchdown by Bryant and if he really knew Fletcher was going to come up with a pair of big interceptions, one in third quarter and one in the fourth.

"You have to believe in your people," Davis said, "and I believe in Bradley Fletcher. No way I was taking him off Dez Bryant. Never would have happened."

It might have been as simple as Davis believing that, at the end of games and the end of seasons, Romo has never been known for putting passes in the exact spots they needed to be. If Romo had been a little more accurate and not left those passes out there for Fletcher to grab, the entire season might have come out differently. But, honestly, what was the chance of that?

With that game and the tiebreaker in hand, the Eagles were able to survive their stumble the following week against the Redskins and, thanks to a season-ending win over the Giants in the Meadowlands, finish with an 11-5 record. It was the same record as that of the Cowboys, but for the second straight year, Dallas was left looking in at the playoffs.

Kelly announced the day after the New York game that Foles, out since November with a collarbone injury, had been finally cleared to play and would start the wild-card round game against the Lions if the week of practice went well enough. It apparently went very well, and Foles threw for four touchdowns against the Lions, followed by five against the Packers, and then merely took care of the ball and managed a good game as the Seahawks came apart in the NFC title game, committing five turnovers, including four interceptions for Russell Wilson - with three picked off by Bradley Fletcher!

Only a late meltdown by the Eagles could have saved the defending champions, but Kelly's team was too composed for that, even in rainy and wild CenturyLink Field. And that brings us here, where there is no rain, and also no Cowboys, Lions, Packers or Seahawks.

It's just the Eagles and the cheating Patriots, and we'll see if the Eagles can take some air out of their balloon next Sunday. With Foles, McCoy and Fletcher - not to mention Chip Kelly and Howie Roseman - on their side, don't bet against it.

You just have to remember that in any season, with just a few breaks that go one way instead of the other, magic can happen.

In fact, anything can happen . . . even if it didn't. Enjoy the week.

@bobfordsports