News: BTB: The Weekly Beast Report: NFC East On The Rebound?

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After a rocky start, the BEast seems to have found its footing. Three of the four teams found victory last Sunday, and the one loss was within the division.

New York Giants (1-2)

Houston Texans 17

New York Giants 30


  • For the first time this season, Eli Manning looked ready to take the helm of the Giants west coast offensive scheme that Ben McAdoo brought to town. The younger Manning son was 21 for 28 against the Texans and he threw a pair of touchdown passes and no interceptions to lead the New York team to its first victory of the season.

"That is the way it's supposed to work. We got the ball out quick. The receivers made catches. They had good runs after the catch. It was efficient. We mixed it up. I thought last week we made some steps to get better, and this week was even stronger." - Eli Manning
  • One thing that helped the Giants reverse their fortunes for week three was a change in approach by the coaching staff. After an 0-2 start it would have been easy for Tom Coughlin and his staff to crack down on the team in practice. The coaches actually chose to take the opposite approach. Practice one day was accompanied by rap music (hopefully not this)... Another session was brought to a close with a punt return battle featuring linemen from both sides of the ball as the return men.
  • The Giants face what could be the most critical test of their early season tonight as they pay a visit to NFC East rivals the Washington Commanders. The game will be the first division contest for the G-men and they need to prove that their big win over Houston was not a fluke. They also need to keep pace with the rest of the division if they want to climb out of the cellar this season.

"Washington has been scoring a lot of points the last few weeks, Philadelphia is 3-0, Dallas had a tough first loss but they fired back and have been moving the ball and doing well. But in this division, it always seems to come down to the end of the season and some big games. We've just got to make sure we do our part and get back into the mix." - Eli Manning
Washington Commanders (1-2)

Washington Commanders 34
Philadelphia Eagles 37


  • A Washington defense that was improving after last season, but still lacking the depth needed to carry itself through a season suffered a pair of blows against the Eagles. Defensive backs DeAngelo Hall and Duke Ihenacho were lost for the season. Also on the Commanders defense, Jason Hatcher and Brian Orakpo were banged up against Philly, although not to the extent that the Washington DBs were.
  • Kirk Cousins is doing his best to create a QB controversy in the nations capitol, or perhaps is just doing what is necessary to show the world just how bad the move up to draft Bob the Third was. Cousins threw for 427 yards and three scores in a losing effort against the Eagles last Sunday. He is also showing his ability to step in and lead the team. Still he is not claiming that he is the man, that is for others to decide.

"I won't change my statement that this is Robert's team. ... He was drafted high for a reason. He's had success here. He's done a lot of good things. He's done nothing to have that be any different. So this is his team, and it's my job as a backup on this team to hopefully when he comes back give him a team with a good record and put him in a good spot to have success down the stretch. By no means does that say that I can't go in there as a backup and hopefully get the job done." - Kirk Cousins
  • Just because the Commanders are the Dallas Cowboys oldest and most bitter rivals does not mean that we here at Blogging The Boys would ever call attention to a "South Park" episode that pokes fun at our friends from DC. Wait yes it does. I won't spoil it all for you, but I will share this little tidbit:

Spoiler alert: The Dallas Cowboys then play "a lone Commander" - Snyder in an Indian headband. Alone on the field, he is repeatedly crushed by Dallas squad.
Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)

Washington Commanders 34
Philadelphia Eagles 37


  • One issue that should be of some concern for the Eagles is that LeSean McCoy is struggling. Yes the team is 3-0, but their starting back has only gained 175 yards over three games. That is down from his 395 yards at this time last season. With Shady accounting for less than 60 yards per game, Chip Kelly states that it is not an issue for McCoy, but you have to wonder how long the Eagles will be effective if he does not pick up the pace.
"One thing I know about LeSean and everybody loves is he wants to win. I know he knows we're 3‑0. He's had more carries this year in the first three games than he had last year. ( Author's Note: Actually he has less carries) But obviously the same five guys blocking for him is part of it to do with it. We've got to do a better job in the run game just overall, but I think he's excited that we're 3‑0." - Chip Kelly​
  • The Eagles offensive line could be a significant part of Shady's issue. They are beaten and battered the way the Giants OL was last season. The latest injury was the loss of Jason Kelce who needs sports hernia surgery. It has been tough for everyone upfront in Philly this year, and there seam to be some serious cracks forming in front of Nick Foles, and as it gets worse those cracks could result in a flood in the Eagles backfield. By the end of last week's game the squad was putting a make-shift unit on the field.
Right tackle Allen Barbre, who was filling in for the suspended Lane Johnson, suffered a season-ending ankle injury in the opener. Left guard Evan Mathis has a MCL sprain and is on Injured-Reserve-designated to return and won't be available until Week 10. Reserve lineman Matt Tobin has been battling a high ankle sprain, but could be ready next week.

By the end of Sunday's game, after left tackle Jason Peters was ejected, the Eagles' line was, left from right: Andrew Gardner, Wade Smith, Molk, Dennis Kelly and Todd Herremans. Herremans was the only regular and he was moved from right guard to right tackle.​

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