Eagles make their statement against Giants

PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Faced with their toughest test to this point, the Eagles made a statement: The road to the NFC East title goes through Philly.

A convincing 40-17 victory over the New York Giants on Sunday was Philadelphia’s third straight win over its division rival, including a playoff game on the road last January.

Now the Eagles (5-2) have another first-place showdown Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys (5-2) at Lincoln Financial Field.

No one could’ve expected the Eagles to thoroughly dominate the Giants (5-3). The teams usually play close, down-to-the wire games. But Donovan McNabb(notes) got the offense going early, and the defense never let up on Eli Manning(notes).

“I think we did send a statement,” defensive end Trent Cole(notes) said. “Now we want to keep building upon that statement.”

The Eagles beat up on losing teams for their first four wins. Their average margin of victory was 19.3 points against teams that are 6-22 combined.

But Philadelphia took an embarrassing loss to lowly Oakland on the road and got routed by unbeaten New Orleans at home with McNabb on the sideline because of a broken rib.

There were questions about the team’s identity entering the game against the Giants. Was Philadelphia’s record a product of a soft schedule? Or, are the Eagles a legitimate contender in the conference?

The resounding win answered some of the questions, while raising several more about the Giants, the Super Bowl winners two years ago and defending NFC East champs. New York has lost three in a row after starting 5-0.

“I think we had a good game plan,” defensive end Darren Howard(notes) said. “I think we came out physical and when you jump out as fast as we jumped out, it gives you a lot of confidence and it’s hard to hold a good team down, especially for four quarters. I think we executed our game plan well, kept it real simple and just let the athletes and the talents that we have take over. I think it’s a testament to our defensive and offensive coordinator keeping it simple. Run the ball, stopping the run, those are the basics of football.”

Offensively, a healthy McNabb has the Eagles soaring. McNabb threw for 240 yards and three touchdowns. He’s got nine TDs and only one interception in five games. A big-play offense struck again. Halfback LeSean McCoy(notes) ran 66 yards for a score, DeSean Jackson(notes) had a 54-yard TD catch and fullback Leonard Weaver(notes) broke free for a 41-yard TD run.

Jackson already has six TDs of 50 yards or more, including a punt return and a reverse. He’s three shy of breaking the NFL record with nine games remaining.

“I think we’re just kind of touching the surface,” McNabb said. “The sky is the limit for us, but again, it comes back to being consistent. When you have games like this, you have to have a better game next week. And that’s something we’re definitely trying to strive for.

“And I think when you have guys who are new to the system, you have guys who haven’t been in the situation that we’re in right now, you know it’s something you have to work on all throughout the week and communicate with so that you’re ready to go when the time comes.”