1 » The New York Giants are the best team in the NFC East and probably the NFC. Not a shocking revelation at this point, but the way they rush the passer covers up a lot of sins. They also don’t have to use sub packages to pressure the quarterback, another major advantage they enjoy over, say, the Redskins. Philadelphia is a more dangerous team with Michael Vick at quarterback, but the Eagles’ defense has flaws. Still, the offensive firepower is why they’re ahead of Washington. Both the Redskins and Eagles play New York twice in the second half. And then there’s Dallas …
2 » Monday night’s game is a big one for the Redskins. A loss puts them two games behind Philadelphia and a potential three games behind the New York Giants. With a road game at Tennessee the following week, if the Redskins have designs on the playoffs they must win one of the next two games. Though the NFC is rather mediocre, the battle for a wild card spot now might take 10 wins. New Orleans (6-3) and Philly (5-3) both are in second place in their respective divisions.
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3 » The honeymoon for the Mike Shanahan regime has officially ended, thanks in part to the handling of the Donovan McNabb situation. Even during a bye week the Redskins remained a topic of conversation because of the rationale behind benching McNabb. More reports about the Shanahans displeasure with McNabb leaked out Sunday. All, or at least some, of this could have been alleviated with a different explanation after the move, rather than have the reasoning come out over three days. But all of the rumors make it appear that McNabb’s situation could become a lot like Jim Zorn’s last season when his ouster was inevitable.
4 » The players needed this bye week. Because of the loss to Detroit and the McNabb situation, it would have made for a salty locker room. Instead, they were able to leave town, or at least stay away from the facility (and the media), recharge and return. It may be that the bye came at the most opportune time. Of course, if they lose to Philadelphia and McNabb plays poorly …
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