Morning report: Phils sky-high, Eagles in dumps

The Eagles were on the same narrow peak above a slippery slope. A win at home against the Washington Redskins would keep them in the NFC East race. A loss would set up the "they can't win the week before the break" scenario for the next week among their skittish fans.

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.

Ladell Betts rushed for 9 yards on first down at the 15, and the drive eventually culminated in another Shaun Suisham field goal.

That was followed by a series that pretty much captures all the reasons Eagles fans mistrust the offensive combo of Donovan McNabb's generalship and Andy Reid's play calling.

With 1:56 remaining in the half, the Birds got an immense gift when Washington kicked off out of bounds and the Eagles were able to start the crucial drive on their 40.

And still they went nowhere.

The "drive" went: penalty on the Eagles, incomplete pass, rush for no gain, 7-yard pass on third and 15. Punt.

All of which left 55 seconds for Jason Campbell to drive the Redskins close enough for Suisham's third field goal of the quarter.

You know the rest. Most of you already are working on your "Fire Andy" picket signs, so I won't belabor it.

But if there has been a "must" game in the Reid-McNabb Era, this Sunday in San Francisco is it.

or by e-mail at dmckee@phillynews.com.