BACK ON SEPT. 25, after the Eagles had sliced up the Pittsburgh Steelers, 34-3, shocking the NFL with their 3-0 start, Brandon Graham was telling reporters about his postgame conversation with some Steelers offensive linemen.
Graham said the linemen told him they thought their teams might meet again, in the Super Bowl, that the Eagles' pass rush was that dominant.
"They said, 'Ain't nobody gonna be able to block y'all,' " Graham said.
OK, the Super Bowl was never a realistic possibility, but the idea that the Birds could win quite a few games with a dominant defense, a steady run game, and solid, restrained play from their rookie quarterback seemed plausible.