Michael Vick (1,350 passing yards, 11 TD) helped the Eagles record a team-record 592 yards of offense in Washington. Philadelphia also set a franchise record for points in a half (45) and held the biggest lead of any NFL road team after the first quarter (28 points). Vick, who hasn’t thrown an interception in 180 passing attempts, will face a tough challenge in New York’s defense, but ability to run and keep plays alive could also be the downfall of the Giants on Sunday. Wide receiver DeSean Jackson (28 receptions, 602 yards, 5 TD) scored on 88-yard touchdown pass 12 seconds into Monday’s game as he burned past Redskins safety LaRon Landry, who supposedly was jawing with Jackson before the game. He settled for just two catches for 98 yards, while slot receiver Jason Avant (31 receptions, 1 TD) and all-purpose running back LeSean McCoy (615 rushing yards, 5 TD) both finished with five grabs. McCoy, who had 51 rushing yards and a touchdown Monday and is battling both rib and shoulder problems, will be an X-factor for Philadelphia’s offense. He leads NFL running backs with 46 catches. Reid will most likely try to get McCoy involved early to keep pressure off of Vick.
Perry Fewell’s defense has to take Vick and the Philadelphia offense out of the game right away. Vick has been sacked 15 times this season, so he can be stopped. The Giants registered only one sack last week, as end Osi Umenyiora (26 tackles, 9 sacks) ran his team-high total to nine this season. He is shooting for a sack in his sixth straight meeting with the Eagles. Fellow end Justin Tuck (44 tackles, 4 sacks) is tied for second on the team in sacks. Dallas’ 324 passing yards last week were the most allowed by the Giants since the Vikings had 358 in the 2009 season finale, with safety Deon Grant (33 tackles, sack, 3 INT) garnering the lone interception for the defense. The Giants’ defense is still rated first in the NFL in allowing 270.2 yards a game, and is 6-0 this season when holding opposing ground attacks to under 100 yards. Dallas had 103 yards rushing, dropping New York to 0-3 when that happens. Cornerbacks Terrell Thomas (49 tackles, 3 INT) and Corey Webster (28 tackles, 2 INT) were embarrassed by Dallas’ receivers last week.
Fewell knows what he is up against.
“They’re clicking on all cylinders, we have to play our best football, you can’t go out and have a mental lapse, you’ve got to play until the whistle is blown. That old adage, you’ve got to play 60 minutes of football with these guys is very true because they play full speed and they play 60 minutes of football and they play fast,” Fewell said. “I think they’re ranked number one offensively and I think we’re ranked number one defensively and I like what we bring to the table versus what they bring to the table. I think we have to come ready to play solid, fundamental football and if we do that, I like our chances.”
(Sports Network contributed to this report)