NEW ORLEANS --- The Eagles have arrived at the Superdome, all of them, their coach, their quarterback, their new defensive coordinator. They remain, believe it or not, in one piece.

They haven't won a game in 36 days, yet somehow, they've survived. They watched every other NFC East team lose Sunday, and they can move into second place in the division with a victory tonight over the Saints.

For them, the worst is behind.

The line opened with the Saints roughly a 4-point favorite, but it squished down to 3. A players' meeting restored some confidence, and Andy Reid has committed to Michael Vick. The Saints are injured, still in a bounty-gate swirl and rarely bother to defend.

The Eagles should have played with desperation last week and didn't. They should play with desperation tonight and, if so, will win in the most rudimentary fashion: With their many dangerous offensive players frolicking in a domed environment against a defense with no chance at finding an answer.

Prediction, from the Superdome: Eagles 30, Saints 21.

Jack McCaffery