Something has to give, and it won't be the will and determination of this football team. I've talked to a half-dozen players and a bunch of coaches and there is a spirit here at the NovaCare Complex that is, strangely, encouraging.

I see anger.

I hear pain.

I feel desperation.

I like that. Everybody here should be upset at losing to New Orleans and then Tampa Bay (don't get me started on the Giants), and at the same time understand that tomorrow brings a new opportunity.

There won't be drastic changes Sunday against Jacksonville, because the Eagles believe the football team will right itself, as it has in the past.

Monday was not a pleasant day at the Complex. The players met as a team, unusual in its practice. Generally, the players are given Monday and Tuesday off. Andy Reid spoke briefly to them, reiterating how much he believes in them and how he is confident the team will get back to winnning the right way -- as a team.

Then the players broke off to watch film of the loss to Tampa Bay. They watched as units and they squirmed painfully through the process.

And when it was all over, they emerged and prepared for the next day.

"We know what we have to do to get things right," said cornerback Sheldon Brown. "We still believe in each other. That is the most important thing. We'll get through this. We'll bounce back."

There is a track record here that suggests the Eagles will do just that. In 2000, the Eagles were 1-2 and finished the year 11-5. In 2001, were 3-3 after a loss to Oakland before ripping of six wins in seven games to finish 11-5.

In 2002, a loss to Jacksonville dropped the Eagles to 3-2 and raised questions. The Eagles responded by winning nine of 10 games en route to a 12-4 record that season.

Then, in 2003, the lost their first two games, won two and then lost at Dallas to drop to 2-3. Brian Westbrook's magnificent punt return against the Giants kick-started the team to a nine-game winning streak and the Eagles finished with 12 wins.

It can be done.

"We have to take it one day at a time, one practice at a time, and focus on the little things," said head coach Andy Reid. "I like this team a lot. I've said this. They approach the game the right way."

It starts on Wednesday when the team returns to the NovaCare Complex to get ready for the Jaguars. The Eagles know they have to improve in every phase of the game. I don't think there is a magic elixir Reid can concoct to make things better. He can't spread pixie dust on the roster and get everyone straight.

Certainly, the Eagles need something good to happen on Sunday. They need to win the game and head into the bye week feeling good. They need to get to 5-3.

They need to take things one step at a time.

I can't predict the future. I know the Eagles have the game's best quarterback in Donovan McNabb, who made enough mistakes to fill a calendar year on Sunday and, despite that, had the Eagles in position to win the game with 33 seconds remaining on the clock.

They have Westbrook, who is one of the game's most dangerous weapons. He is a brilliant player who needs to get his hands on the ball as much as possible.

They have Reggie Brown, who advances his game week after week in the second year of his career.

This offense, overall, is tremendous. Fantastic. Capable of almost anything. Hopefully, Donté Stallworth returns to practice this week and feels good and can integrate himself back into an already-potent passing game.

The defense has to build on the good things it did on Sunday and get better. Cornerback Rod Hood worked out on Monday and could be back at practice on Wednesday. Keep your fingers crossed.

Certainly, having both Stallworth and Hood back in the lineup would be huge for this team. The Eagles need an emotional lift. Adding those two key elements would help.

There are some ills that need to be cured here, but there are also a lot of good things. I don't even care about the back end of the schedule, because we've already seen how crazy the NFL can be: Two weeks ago we were riding on the sweet feeling of defeating Dallas; now we're in the depths after back-to-back losses.

It has been an incredibly emotional swing for everyone. The Eagles need to show their resiliency and get back on the horse for Sunday. They need to beat Jacksonville, no matter how it is done.

I need to step away for a little while here and gain some clarity.

I've written four columns in the last 24 hours and, well, it's been exhausting. I hate losing. I have felt similar sentiments all day here.

I can only imagine what it has been like for you, Eagles fans. The highs and lows of this season have been incredible already. I can assure you, though, that more good times are coming this year. The Eagles are too good to be 4-3, but the fact is that is what they are.

So the challenge is to get better on Wednesday, and then on Thursday and then throughout the days until Sunday. And then when the whistle blows on Sunday, the Eagles must play as if they have everything to gain on every snap, which they do.

Pittsburgh taught us last season that anything is possible. The Steelers rallied to make the playoffs, and then stayed hot and won the Super Bowl. I'm not suggesting the Eagles are plotting the same course, but I do think there is time to get back to some serious winning.

What other choice is there? Win ... or else. A team lost a game on Sunday in Tampa Bay. A team must work together all week to get it right against Jacksonville next.