Eagles-'Boys an epic battle; oh, yeah and T.O. returns

	Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb leads the NFL with 1,248 passing yards. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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This is the game we've all been waiting for -- well, we who try to make bold proclamations based on NFL action in early October, at least.

As those of you with access to the Internet, television, radio, a newspaper or watercooler may have gathered -- that is, when you haven't been distracted by former Republican congressman Mark Foley and his little instant-message problem -- Terrell Owens makes his turbulent return to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Forget the Manning Bowl (too friendly), Carson's Revenge (too premature) or the Superdome Revival (too forced). Cowboys vs. Eagles at 4:15 p.m. ET is the most compelling theater the early part of this regular season has to offer, especially in the wake of Owens' scary trip to the emergency room and predictably triumphant return in last Sunday's thrashing of the Titans in Nashville.

Even those of you who claim to be sick of Owens will have a hard time resisting the drama that awaits at Lincoln Financial Field. And I am here to tell you that whatever histrionic touchdown celebration or vicious welcome-home hit occurs on the T.O. front, we may have a chance to witness something far more lasting.

Plainly, the evolution of a Super Bowl team.

And no, I'm not talking about T.O.'s team, though the Cowboys certainly have a shot at making it to Miami in February, along with the Seahawks, Bears, Falcons, Panthers, Redskins and Giants.

Oh, and the Eagles. Especially the Eagles.

A quarter of the way through the regular season, Philly has made it clear that its 2005 collapse was an aberration, one largely attributable to injury (especially the starting quarterback's) and ill will (which brings us back to Owens). When I discussed last year's nightmare with various Eagles players and coaches while visiting the team's training camp, some spoke of a renewed commitment and focus, but most simply adopted the premise that a healthy Donovan McNabb and the absence of the T.O. circus would make everything cool.

I know it's early, but at this point you'd have to say they were right.

If Philly can beat Dallas on Sunday -- and that won't be easy, because both teams are physical, well-coached and loaded with playmakers -- the Eagles (3-1) will be one victory shy of their 2005 total. Sure, some teams jell early and fade when it counts, but Philly doesn't seem like a team playing beyond its pedigree.

The scary thing is, the Eagles should be undefeated, having inexplicably blown a huge lead before losing in overtime to the Giants in Week 2. Other than that lapse -- and even after losing revived pass rusher Jevon Kearse (3½ sacks in two games) to a season-ending knee injury -- Philly's defense looks as active and as punishing as ever. And the offense should continue to improve once key skill-position players Brian Westbrook, Donte' Stallworth and Reggie Brown before 100 percent healthy.

Still, it's a big leap from 3-1 to a fifth NFC Championship game in six years, let alone a second Super Bowl in three. The reason I'm willing to make it is simple: Rush Limbaugh's favorite quarterback is winning me over, big play by big play.