By Paul Macrie, Sports Talk Philly staff writer 
As playoff probabilities continue to dwindle, the Eagles are in midst of a stretch where they can either fold or play for pride and show some positives heading into the offseason. As it becomes likely the team won't be going to the postseason, barring an unforeseen five-game win streak and probable help from others teams, it is time to see what these players are really made of.
It is easy when things are going well, but at the moment, adversity has struck and it is time either grab it by the horns or collapse.
As the 2012 season unfolded, the Eagles unraveled, losing an unprecedented 11 of the last 12 games. It cost Andy Reid his job, which was long overdue, but the team didn't show any resolve as the noncompetitive losses piled up.
This season, four of the Eagles six losses have been by seven points or less, but the last two have come by double digits. There are signs that the ship could sink.
No, Doug Pederson isn't going anywhere. Pederson will be the coach of the Eagles in 2017. There is too much invested in him and the quarterback they traded up to select to fire him after one season. He will have every opportunity to succeed in Philadelphia, as it is the front office's job to add the necessary pieces on offense. But the first-year head coach can ease any doubts heading into the offseason by guiding his team to a strong finish to the season, even if it likely doesn't result in a playoff berth.
With five games remaining, three at home, now it is time to see if the team will play with pride as many are performing on the field for jobs in 2017. It all starts on Sunday with a road matchup against the reeling Bengals. Cincinnati has one win against an above .500 opponent this season (Miami Dolphins). Despite the Eagles being slight favorites in this game, it is far from a guarantee they win even if the opponent is without their best player: A.J. Green.
There are concerns about the Eagles' regression from Week 5 to this point in the season, which has resulted in a 2-6 stretch. Frustrations have mounted and certain players are not showing the ability to handle adversity well. Though there are certain aspects of the roster to be encouraged about heading into next season and beyond, the weaknesses that remain leave uncertainty.
These questions can be clarified more in the upcoming weeks, as the regular season enters its final stages. Can Nelson Agholor bounce back from the lowest point of his career to put some consistent production together? Will any other receiver demonstrate some promise heading into 2017? Will Carson Wentz play a more complete game and lead the team to some wins? How will Fletcher Cox react as he battles more and more double teams? Will the secondary bounce back from its recent shaky performances?
Though the games have become more irrelevant in the final month, the Eagles can still show what their made of, regardless of the final scores. It is important to remain competitive.
Eliminating mental mistakes is one solution to the recent struggles. It isn't the entire story, but it is a portion. It's not all about the X's and O's, or the physical ability of the team. It is about their mental state. A positive stretch to end the season will carry more meaning with the fans than it does with the local and national media.
Winning cures all. With some competitive play and a few more additional wins in 2016, the Eagles can ease concerns heading into the offseason, even if the season that started off with such promise doesn't end in a playoff appearance.
