The headline says it all. Let's check out and discuss where the Eagles, Giants, and Redskins have been, and where they are going.
Make the jump below to read more.
Washington Redskins (1-1)
Last game: 9-7 home win vs. St. Louis
Next up: @ Detroit (0-2)
The Redskins pulled out a squeaker last week against the Rams, 9-7. Going to Ford Field this week to take on the Detroit Lions may necessitate some more points out of their offense.
The Redskins’ red-zone spasms have been well-documented. Eight times inside the 20, two touchdowns. And that is bad -- but the Giants are worse. Eight trips, no touchdowns. They’ve scored 18 points on eight, the Redskins 26 on eight (and one of those, against the Rams, was a clock-killing kneel situation at the end).
Have the tabloids pilloried the Giants yet? Only three teams have been inside the red zone more than the Redskins. They’re one of six with eight forays inside the 20 and, yes, they’re the second-lowest scoring. That says they can move the ball but struggle with finishing. That obviously must be corrected.
Both QB Jason Campbell (foot) and RB Clinton Portis (ankle) were limited in practice this week, but will be able to go on Sunday.
With big DT Albert Haynesworth coming to town, Lions' offensive coordinator, Scott Linehan, must get QB Matthew Stafford ready.
Detroit will expect a strong pass rush and will look to get the ball out quick. Stafford already had to deal with quite possibly the best defensive line in the League last week with Minnesota; now he will have another top line in the Redskins. Linehan says he tells his rookie quarterback that he needs to prepare as though he is playing in a championship game every week.
"(I) tell him, ‘You’re basically playing at a level like you’re playing for the SEC Championship every week or you’re in the National Championship,’" said Linehan.
After placing G Randy Thomas on IR this week, the 'Skins have Chad Rinehart listed as his replacement. Here is the Redskins' Game Preview for their game against the Lions.
New York Giants (2-0)
Last game: 33-31 Win @ Dallas
Next up: @ Tampa Bay (0-2)
The undefeated Giants @ the winless Buccaneers. Trap game? It doesn't sound likely unless Bucs' RB Derrick Ward can get this Tampa team to play lights out against his former team. Their execution, though, may have to be flawless.
While New York will be short-handed, it might not need its full roster against the Buccaneers (0-2). Tampa Bay, once known for its dominant defense, allowed 900 yards and 67 points in the first two games - both second most in the league. The Bucs fell behind 17-0 after the first quarter last week and went on to lose 33-20 at Buffalo. Tampa Bay allowed Fred Jackson to rush for 163 yards and Trent Edwards was able to complete 21 of 31 pass attempts for 230 yards and two scores against a beleaguered Bucs secondary.
Less than a week after plucking an INT off of Jason Witten's shoe, the Giants had to place S Kenny Phillips on IR. Phillips, who also intercepted Tony Romo's long pass to Sam Hurd, had a lingering knee injury from training camp. It was determined Monday that the knee condition (patella femoral arthritis) had worsened. To fill his void in the secondary, New York signed Aaron Rouse off waivers from Green Bay.
Hat tip to cowboy78 for the FanShot.
Bob Glauber says that Phillips' condition could be a threat to his young career.
Alex Marvez says that the Giants are the best 2-0 team in the league.
The defense under first-year coordinator Bill Sheridan will continue to improve as players like CB Aaron Ross and DT Chris Canty get healthy. RB Brandon Jacobs should get on track after averaging a pedestrian 3.4 yards through two games. Already having wins over Washington and Dallas will go a long way toward New York's quest to repeat as NFC East champion.
Here is Giants.com's Scouting Report on the Buccaneers.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Last game: 48-22 Home Loss vs. New Orleans
Next up: Home vs. Kansas City
Kevin Kolb will start for the Eagles and hopes to improve upon the performance he had against the Saints last Sunday.
And, yes, there were plays Kolb would like to have back. He threw those three interceptions, one a nothing toss away on the final play of the game, but two others that were very costly. Early in the second half Kolb went to a three-step drop and tried to get the ball out to Brent Celek on an out route. The Saints read the play and linebacker Scott Shanle stepped in front of the throw and made an interception that helped turn the game around.
"I made a mistake there," said Kolb. "There were a few of them during the game that I learned from. That is part of it. I wasn't happy because I didn't play well enough for us to win the game. We knew we couldn't make those kinds of mistakes against a team like that and I went out and made mistakes."
Not only is Donovan McNabb highly doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chiefs, RB Brian Westbrook (ankle) and WR DeSean Jackson (groin) have also missed practices this week.
What can we expect to see from Michael Vick this weekend? Beasts' blogger, Matt Mosely, says a little bit of this, a little bit of that.
Reid's not saying how he will deploy his quarterbacks Sunday, but I think it's safe to say that three quarterbacks -- Kevin Kolb, Jeff Garcia and Vick -- will be active for the game. Vick's not prepared to be a full-time quarterback at this stage of his comeback, and that's why I think Garcia will be listed as the backup for Sunday's game.
Peter King reported that Reid will have a 10-play Wildcat package for Vick on Sunday. But if the Eagles have some success early in the game, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vick in there for 12-15 snaps. Could that potentially disrupt Kolb's tempo? Sure it could, but Reid doesn't care about that.
The Eagles need some linebacking help and have brought in their former MLB, Jeremiah Trotter, for a workout.
The Eagles have not found a solution at middle linebacker since Stewart Bradley was injured. After giving Joe Mays the chance to win the job, Omar Gaither has started the first two games while Mays rehabbed a shoulder strain.
"When Stewart went down, I talked to Andy about everything that was going with Jim [Johnson]," Trotter said. "I told him I was in great shape and I could help him out. Nothing happened. He called me today and told me to come in for a workout."
While the Chiefs have not had any players miss practice this week, QB Matt Cassel (knee) and WR Dwayne Bowe (hamstring) were limited participants on Thursday.
The Eagles signed a TE to their practice squad.
Here is NFL.com's Game Center for the Chiefs @ the Eagles.