The numbers don’t lie.

Two Super Bowl wins in three years (soon to be in four years).

A starting quarterback that has yet to lose in the postseason.

And a running back that averaged 109 yards per game in the regular season.

For the Eagles, the future (at least this Sunday’s future) doesn’t look very bright.

On top of this, on paper, the Eagles don’t even look like the best team in their state. The Steelers had the league’s best defense, allowing a league-best 258.4 yards and 15.7 points per contest.

The Steelers also had the second-best rushing numbers in the league. And guess who was No. 1? Well, it’s not the Eagles if that was your guess.

So, in effect, the Eagles have no reason to show up on Sunday.

But they do have some off-field aspects to their game running on full throttle.

Second or maybe third wideout (it doesn’t matter after T.O.) Freddie Mitchell has the entire New England defense pissed off. You know Rodney Harrison is looking to put him in a body bag and add to his already NFL-record $350 million in fines.

While this may not be good for the Eagles’ newfound star, it is great for the Eagles. What better way to hurt such an even keel crew like the Pats’ defense than to talk smack to them?

That’s right, there isn’t a better way.

And besides that, the Eagles probably have the advantage against the Pats normally stellar defense.

With Donovan McNabb under center, the Eagles have the league’s third best quarterback, which is all right when the top two are Peyton Manning and Daunte Culpepper. The veteran is in the midst of his best season thus far, throwing for 3,875 yards, 31 touchdowns and just eight picks. By the way, that makes him the first quarterback in league history to throw more than 30 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions in a season.

Add to the equation that the NFL’s best receiver, Terrell Owens, could possibly return Sunday. Even if he doesn’t return, it should be enough of a curve ball to throw off Bill Belichick’s 25-hour-a-day preparations.

And besides, I’m sure No. 25 and No. 27 are having enough time preparing for the Eagles as it is.

Defensively, the Eagles can stand up to anyone.

Thus far, they’ve handled the league’s two most dynamic quarterbacks in holding the Falcons and Vikings to a combined 24 points. Take the points from both games, add them together and they still don’t beat the Eagles’ 27 points they scored in each game. So, in a weird kind of way, the Eagles beat both Atlanta and Minnesota. Have some of that New England.

Beyond that, Michael Vick and Culpepper are better quarterbacks than Tom Brady. You can tell me I’m stupid for saying Vick is better (that is just what ESPN tells me), but argue with Culpepper’s 69.2 completion percentage, 4,717 yards and 39 touchdowns and I may slap you. And not a friendly slap either, but one that leaves a handprint on your face.

And also, you can take the undefeated postseason record for Brady and shove it.

My roommate and I argued this one before the AFC title game. My argument being that Ben Roethlisberger never lost in his career while Brady only had the postseason to brag about. Both arguments were stupid, mine was wrong, but it just shows quarterback’s winning percentages don’t matter.

What matters is the team.

With all the controversy leading up to the game.

The questions of will T.O. play and what number will cover him if he does play is playing into the Eagles’ favor.

They’ve been dealing with their star receiver’s strange ways all year, the Pats only have two weeks to be ready.

Not all of Belichick’s preparation skills will have the Pats prepared for this year’s big dance.