Philly won't get over Eagles' loss easily

I haven't heard many people say they won't watch the Super Bowl this year.

It's the Super Bowl, America's championship, the most watched title game in the world.

But I know one whole city that won't be watching: Philadelphia.

If you think you're depressed about the Rams' loss, Philadelphia is like a football morgue -- where championship hopes go to die.

As much as I dislike Philly, the Eagles needed to win last Sunday's NFC Championship game against the Panthers. Not just for the sake of the football franchise but for the franchises around it.

This loss could have a negative influence on the Flyers, the Phillies and the already struggling 76ers.

And it certainly had a negative influence on Donovan McNabb. McNabb didn't have to win that game, but it would have helped.

It would have helped to silence the critics who have been plaguing him since draft day. And given the criticism voiced by Rush Limbaugh this year, it would have dismissed those comments too.

Of course I think Rush Limbaugh is more outrageous than a Howard Dean speech and his comments were completely off base. But you can't blame McNabb for this one.

In the three NFC Championships, the Eagles starting receivers combined for 12 catches for 141 yards and one touchdown. Todd Pinkston turned into Todd Stinkston and James Thrash is being dubbed James Trash by bitter Philly fans.

But can you blame them?

Hopefully you and Philly fans will find comfort in the week ahead.

Tuesday

You have your choice of three super high school basketball games. One of them features an old rivalry: Notre Dame at Scott City. Notre Dame has been playing well as of late and while Scott City is hostile territory, you just never know. Meanwhile, Doniphan plays Central eight miles north and Sikeston visits Jackson just a few more miles north.

Thursday

I thought I hated the Red Wings more than any team in the NHL, but since the playoffs last year I have a newfound dislike for the Canucks. The Blues host Vancouver on AMC Theaters Player Key Chains night. The first 15,000 fans for the 7 p.m. game receive one.

Friday

Two of the surprise teams in the NBA square off Friday night. The Grizzlies host the Jazz at 7 p.m. The Grizz were going for their eighth straight win against Denver Sunday night.

Saturday

Missouri hosts the school that beat them in football and cost the Tigers a shot at Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game. That was football and this is basketball, but if Mizzou isn't careful then this game might cost them, too. Kansas State at Missouri 6 p.m.

David Wilson is a sportswriter for the Southeast Missourian and a student at Central High School. His column appears every Monday.