According to the team’s official website, owner Jeffrey Lurie announced Tuesday that Andy Reid will return for a 14th season as head coach.

“If our focus is on trying to win a championship next year, the best coach for that is Andy,” Lurie said.

Reid had faced speculation of his demise after several embarrassing losses this season, which culminated in an 8-8 finish, but Lurie evidently doesn’t place the blame on Reid, praising him for his “great” track record and coaching intangibles.

Although spared from the hot seat, Lurie hinted that it’s going to be a make-or-break year for Reid, describing this past season as “completely unacceptable” and “unfathomable.” Reading between the lines, it appears the Eagles will have to make the playoffs in 2012 — or else.

Assuming Reid tweaks his coaching staff a bit — particularly on the defensive side of the ball — that feat shouldn’t be too hard for Philly, whose collection of Pro Bowl performers still makes them a contender in the NFC.

If you’re Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, you probably answered none of the above, and are instead feeling frightened at what’s to come from the once dubbed ‘Dream Team.’

Per Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com, Jones appeared on a local area radio station Tuesday and admitted to being scared of the Eagles, who shellacked Dallas, 34-7, during their first meeting of the season.

“Because it is the Eagles and after the butt-kicking they gave us up in Philadelphia, I’m scared,” Jones said Tuesday on KRLD-FM. “It’s that kind of feeling. The respect turns into being afraid of what they can do to you if you have some breakdowns out there, so you can put that scared there if you want to. I think sometimes I know I do my best when I’m scared.”

The ‘Boys and birds face each other this Saturday at the Jerry Dome and the tilt will have major playoff implications. As shocking as it may be, Philadelphia could actually capture the division by beating Big D, and by receiving some help from the Giants, who’d need to lose to the Jets this week and beat the Cowboys in Week 17.

Under that scenario, each of those three teams would finish 8-8, with the Eagles winning the NFC East due to a 5-1 divisional record.

Dallas, on the other hand, would clinch a postseason spot with a win and a Giants loss, a more likely outcome but far from a sure thing.

Per NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, Philadelphia has officially ruled out — among others — quarterback Michael Vick and receiver Jeremy Maclin for their Week 13 contest versus the Seahawks.

This will be Vick’s third missed game in a row as he recovers from broken ribs suffered against the Cardinals in Week 10. He’s apparently still dealing with a significant amount of pain, which is hampering his throwing motion and velocity.

Vince Young will start in Vick’s place, and looks to build upon the 400-yard effort he had against the Patriots, a career best. He’ll take on Seattle’s suspect secondary.

As for Maclin, who’s dealing with shoulder and hamstring ailments, he will also sit out his third consecutive contest. The balky hamstring is the real issue, as it has prevented him from practicing even on a limited basis.

Riley Cooper is expected to draw the start opposite DeSean Jackson, and, if last week was any indication, should be targeted heavily by Young.

While Vick looks closer to returning than Maclin, the Eagles would be wise not to rush either of them back. At 4-7, their playoff hopes have all but evaporated, making it unnecessary to subject two of their best offensive weapons to further injury while the team closes out a very disappointing 2011 campaign.

According to Reuben Frank of CSNPhilly.com, cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha suffered an apparent injury to his left knee during practice Thursday, and had to be carted off.

Though details are still emerging, it’s typically a bad sign whenever a player needs the dreaded cart to assist him off the field.

Asomugha, who signed a $60 million contract with Philly prior to the season, has yet to live up to his blockbuster pact or the lofty expectations that go along with it.

However, Aso is still the best Philadelphia has to offer at the position and can ill afford to lose him, especially while Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie remains sidelined with a high-ankle sprain.

Asomugha was expected to have the unenviable task of defending the Patriots’ Rob Gronkowski and their prolific passing attack on Sunday.

Now, New England might’ve caught a big break while the Eagles are left searching for something to be thankful about on Turkey Day.

UPDATE: Fortunately for the Eagles, Asomugha avoided serious injury after tests showed no structural damage. Although his status for Week 12 is “up in the air,” this won’t cut short his 2011 campaign by any means.

According to NFL.com (via the Philadelphia Inquirer), former Pennsylvania governor and Philly fan Ed Rendell stated Tuesday that Reid won’t be back with the team next season unless they find a way to win each of their remaining seven games.

“I think he will resign. I don’t think they will fire him,” Rendell told a news conference.

Rendell works as an Eagles newspaper columnist and television analyst, so his opinion on the matter holds a fair amount of water.

As the head man of the self-proclaimed ‘Dream Team’, the 2011 campaign has been a nightmare for Reid thus far. His squad has melted down several times in the fourth quarter of games, contributing to their dismal 3-6 record and drawing criticism from fans and media alike.

Reid is in his 13th year with the organization and has failed to remove the cobwebs from the franchise’s championship trophy case. The city is naturally impatient and even moreso now considering the expectations they had going into the season.

The Eagles acquired nearly every player under the sun in the lockout-shortened offseason, taking a page out of Daniel Synder‘s playbook of literally trying to buy their way to the Super Bowl. If he doesn’t do the improbable — and run the table — Reid could be a  not-so-surprising casualty of an epically large letdown.

Unfortunately, swaps like these have conditions, why is they usually don’t take place. One of these conditions came up in this particular trade, rendering it canceled.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ronnie Brown-Jerome Harrison trade was voided Wednesday for “heath reasons.” Harrison was being sent to the Eagles, Brown (along with a 2013 seventh-round pick) to the Lions.

Both backs will now remain with their original clubs.

Detroit had more invested in this trade, as they were seeking a better complement to starter Jahvid Best, who’s out with a concussion. Harrison was buried behind Keiland Williams and Maurice Morris on the depth chart, though now he’s likely nowhere to be found in the team’s plans.

Brown, the soon-to-be 30-year-old former Dolphin, has disappointed this season, totaling just 38 yards on 13 carries. However, it was easy to see this coming, considering Philly’s traditional pass-happy offense. Between LeSean McCoy, an elite talent, and dynamic quarterback Michael Vick, the Eagles possess all they need in the rushing department. Brown might’ve been signed simply to perpetuate the ‘Dream Team’ hype going during their free-agent shopping spree — his playing time certainly indicates as such.

When the Giants rolled into town on Saturday, Steve Weatherford took to Twitter and aired some unflattering thoughts about Philadelphia — and its surroundings.

“Just arrived in Philly. What a dump, Let’s get a W and get the heck outta here,” he tweeted.

The two teams will do battle in a marquee tilt on Sunday afternoon. The G-Men will be seeking redemption as Philly has beaten them in six straight meetings.

Weatherford, in particular, has his work cut out for him. His job will be to kick away from receiver DeSean Jackson, an electrifying punt returner who might’ve single-handily kept New York out of the playoffs last season with a walk-off return touchdown, capping an improbable comeback victory for the Eagles.

Even if he completes the task, Weatherford is sure to receive a smattering of boos when the Philly faithful gets wind of these comments. He’s fortunate this game is taking place early in the season, as there will be no battery-filled snowballs heading his way.

According to ESPNNewYork.com, Giants safety Antrel Rolle and his defensive teammates hope Michael Vick is cleared to play this Sunday as they seek revenge for last season’s epic meltdown at the New Meadowlands (now MetLife Stadium).

“I want the best of the best,” the Giants safety said on his weekly radio spot with WFAN. “And he is the best. I hope Michael Vick plays, because at the end of the day, I don’t want any excuses when we go down to Philly and put it to them the way we will.”

Defensive end Justin Tuck shares the same sentiment, and says the 38-31 loss will haunt him for the rest of his life.

“Last year will linger with me until I die,” Tuck said after the Giants won their home opener, 28-16, over the Rams. “Everybody in that locker room feels as though we owe the Eagles a little something and that is going to be a big game for us.”

For those that don’t remember, the Giants held a 31-10 lead halfway into the fourth quarter before the Eagles stormed back and won the game on an improbable punt return by receiver DeSean Jackson, who broke through Big Blue’s entire coverage team and coasted into the endzone with no time remaining.

It was a comeback for the ages that ultimately cost Big Blue a spot in the playoffs. There’s not a single player in the NFL that would forget a heartbreaker like that.

Despite the meltdown, however, the Giants actually did a good job of containing and confusing Vick with a wide array of pressure packages. Though, if they want another crack at him, they’ll need Vick to actually suit up for this game, far from a given considering the concussion he suffered in Sunday night’s loss to the Falcons.

Although he “desperately” wants to practice on Wednesday, Vick has several hurdles to climb before he’s cleared to play. He’ll need to pass multiple concussion tests, an MRI, and gain clearance from an independent neurologist. It appears he’s likely to be held out of practice until later in the week, when a determination will then be made.

Until his status for the Week 3 tilt is confirmed one way or the other, the G-Men will apparently continue to keep their collective fingers crossed for #7.

After he exited the game, the team called it a neck injury, but confirmed later that it’s (potentially) much worse.

According to ESPN, Vick suffered a concussion in the game after pinballing into two linemen — both offensive and defensive. He eventually made his way to the trainer’s table, where they looked at his neck and shoulder. Vick was shown with a mouthful of blood, but said it’s because he bit his tongue during the impact.

With backup Vince Young out with a hamstring injury, the Eagles called upon second-year man Mike Kafka as Vick’s replacement.

As per policy, Vick will undergo a litany of concussion-related tests over the next week. How he fares will determine if he can suit up in Week 3. As of now, Kafka should keep his arm warm; the action he experienced tonight might not be his last.

Maclin confirmed to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio on Tuesday that he will indeed be in the starting lineup for the September 11 season opener against the Rams.

“I feel fine. I feel ready,” Maclin said.

Cleared to return to practice on Sunday, Maclin admits his conditioning is not where it should be — understandable considering the time he’s missed — but is confident he’ll return to his old form within due time.

“I feel all right conditioning-wise,” Maclin told reporters Sunday. “It’s just getting back out there and running routes, I haven’t done that in a while, so there’s definitely some work I need to do, but I think I’ll get back to my normal self pretty soon.”

Maclin, the Eagles’ leading receiver in 2010, missed nearly all of camp with an unknown illness, similar to lymphoma, a form of cancer. He underwent a barrage of tests, which came back inconclusive, and was finally cleared of all serious symptoms on August 17.

During Philadelphia’s third preseason contest, Maclin told the Eagles Television Network that there’s “no doubt” he’ll suit up against St. Louis. He basically took the opportunity to make the news official to Sal Pal.

Considering the Eagles offense has looked less than explosive during preseason action, Maclin will be welcomed back with open arms both by the team and its new $100 million man, quarterback Michael Vick.