NFC East Fly-By

 

The Games:

 

Titans @ Eagles

Redskins @ Buccaneers

Colts @ Cowboys

Giants @ Jaguars

 

Titans @ Eagles

 

The Eagles allowed Travis Henry and Vince Young to run all over them en route to a 31-13 embarrassment at the Linc. Despite acceptable performances from Brian Westbrook (102 rush/46 receiving), L.J. Smith (57 yds, 1 TD), and Trent Cole (1.5 sacks), Philadelphia came out unenergized against a beatable opponent for the umpteenth time this season and paid for it. The defense was unable to stop Tennessee’s one-dimensional attack, and McNabb threw a pick into the end zone when the Eagles had an opportunity to make it close early on. To make matters worse, McNabb’s season came to an end when he awkwardly went out of bounds and tore his ACL. The loss sent the Eagles back to .500 and dealt the Birds’ playoff hopes a huge blow. For more information about this game, please see the post-game report.

 

Titans 31 Eagles 13

 

Redskins @ Buccaneers

 

The Jason Campbell era began the same way the Mark Brunell era ended: with a loss. While Campbell did just fine (196 yds, 2 TD), the Redskins sorely missed Clinton Portis, gaining just 64 yards on the ground and losing the battle for the clock. Washington kept it close and took a 10-3 lead midway through the third, but couldn’t hold on as Tampa chalked up three unanswered scores to secure the victory.

 

Buccaneers 20 Redskins 17

 

Colts @ Cowboys

 

The Cowboys matched their longest winning streak of the year (2 games) while putting an end to Indy’s (9 games) in a competitive late-afternoon matchup at Texas Stadium. Turnovers made the difference in this game. Peyton Manning threw an uncharacteristic 2 interceptions, including one which was run back for a touchdown, and both Manning and Marvin Harrison lost fumbles. Tony Romo managed to shake off a rough start and responded to the aggressive Colt defense like a seasoned pro, leading a comeback after being down 14-7. Dallas faces a short week, but has plenty of momentum heading into Thanksgiving.

 

Cowboys 21 Colts 14

 

Giants @ Jaguars

 

Turnovers were the story in this game as well, with Jacksonville forcing three en route to a dominant performance on Monday night. Tiki Barber was held to just 27 yards rushing, putting all the pressure on Eli Manning. Coach Tom Coughlin was furious over this loss, and rightly so, but injuries to key players like Plaxico Burress and five defensive starters made it tough for New York to put a competitive team on the field this week. Incidentally, Manning is now the division’s only week one starting QB who still has his job.

 

Jaguars 26 Giants 10

 

What does it mean for the Eagles?

 

Last week in this space, we told you to start panicking if the Eagles dropped this one. However, most of you probably started panicking around the second quarter on Sunday and stopped sometime late in the fourth. Some of you may be ready to throw your hands up and start counting the days until pitchers and catchers report for spring training (P.S. - it’s 87), and with good reason. There are plenty of reasons to think the Eagles’ season is over: lack of effort, poor defense, bad coaching, no Donovan, etc. However, keep a few things in mind:

 

- The Eagles are still a .500 team.

- With only six NFC teams owning winning records, an 8-8 team will probably make the playoffs.

- The Eagles currently have the advantage in the first two tiebreakers (head-to-head and division record) against the Cowboys.

- Jeff Garcia is far better than any other QB who has replaced McNabb in the past.

 

Basically, the Eagles’ playoff hopes now rest on keeping pace with the Cowboys and hoping the rest of the NFC continues to be mediocre. Assuming the Eagles are still in contention on Christmas, the game in Dallas is now a must-win. The Giants are now the division’s biggest question mark. Each week it seems like their key injuries are tougher to overcome. Right now, it seems like the division winner will be the team that stumbles the least. The NFC East race will be close down the home stretch, just not in the way most people thought it would be.

 

Current Standings
	W-L (Div.)	Next Game
Giants	6-4 (3-0)	@ Titans
Cowboys	6-4 (1-3)	Buccaneers
Eagles	5-5 (2-1)	@ Colts
Redskins	3-7 (1-3)	Panthers

 

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