Vick, Eagles merit one more chance against favored Saints

It's easy to forget about the "Dream Team" label that was tagged on the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago. Those so-called glory days are long gone, and Michael Vick's days as the starting quarterback appear numbered.

Andy Reid's 14th season as Eagles coach should be his last. But before he goes, Reid is giving Vick another chance - probably his last - to resurrect a team that has collapsed under the weight of unrealistic expectations.

If the 8-8 finish last season was unacceptable in Philadelphia, what is this 3-4 mess? The three wins came by a total of four points, so the Eagles are a few plays from winless and burning their betting backers with a 1-5-1 record against the spread.

It seems fitting in a way that Monday night's showcase game features two of the NFL's biggest flops. The Eagles visit New Orleans, which is 2-5 and also dangerously close to winless.

The winner can cling to a false sense of postseason hope. The loser can be laid out for an autopsy. It makes for a good theme for the ESPN broadcasting crew.

We know what's wrong with the Saints. Their coach, Sean Payton, is suspended for the season, and off-field turmoil has caused a steady deterioration of every aspect of the team, especially the defense.

Drew Brees still is putting up impressive numbers, passing for 2,310 yards and 20 touchdowns, but his completion percentage has dipped from 71.2 last year to 59.7. His job just became more challenging with the loss of do-everything running back Darren Sproles, who needed surgery for a broken hand.

But this matchup will be mostly about the New Orleans defense, which ranks 30th in scoring (30.9) and last in yards allowed (474.7), and how Vick can exploit the holes in it. Reid knows his time is short, and he knows Vick gives Philadelphia the best shot to score. That's why the beleaguered coach did not bench his turnover-plagued quarterback.

Just as Washington Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III shredded the Saints defense in the season opener, Vick is capable of a breakout game. So is running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson.

With nine TD passes, eight interceptions and five lost fumbles, Vick has been a train wreck behind a depleted offensive line.

But New Orleans is a 3-point favorite, and laying points with the Saints seems like a losing proposition. I'll give Vick and the Eagles one shot.

Four more plays for Week 9 (Home team in CAPS):

■ Ravens (-3½) over BROWNS: Blasted in Houston before the bye, Baltimore is in a good spot to get well. Road favorites following a bye are 24-3 ATS. Ravens coach John Harbaugh will fix his team's problems, and he has the far more talented team. Cleveland, off a phony 7-6 victory over San Diego, looks ready to get blown out.

■ Panthers (+3) over REDSKINS: Expect Carolina quarterback Cam Newton to take the challenge from Griffin seriously. Newton desperately needs a win, and the Panthers have been close to a breakthrough. Washington, worn down after road losses to the Giants and Steelers, has been a weak home team under coach Mike Shanahan.

■ Steelers (+3) over GIANTS: The travel issues facing Pittsburgh and the post-hurricane intangibles that could either work for or against New York are tough to figure. The bottom line is Ben Roethlisberger is playing at a high level, and the Steelers have held a fourth-quarter lead in every game this season.

■ Cowboys (+4) over FALCONS: This is a gut-feel play as much as anything. Dallas had a 28-11 advantage in first downs in its loss to the Giants last week. If they can cut down on mistakes, the Cowboys are more than capable, and they also play better on the road. It's also worth noting quarterback Tony Romo's 19-2 record in November.

Last week: 5-0 against the spread

Season: 29-11

Contact sports betting columnist Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts "The Las Vegas Sportsline" weekdays at 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM, 98.9 FM). Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.