The View Back East: The 'Boys Gaining Momentum
The Cowboys beat down the Bills while every other NFC East team lost. The Giants fell to the 49ers, the Eagles lost to the Cardinals and the Redskins lost to the Dolphins. The Cowboys are only a game back out of first place and still play the Giants twice. Things got very interesting in week 10. Here's a recap of last week's games and a preview of this week.
Cardinals 21 Eagles 17
The Cardinals rallied in the fourth quarter to continue the demise of the 2011 Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback John Skelton threw a 42-yard pass to Larry Fitzgerald to set up a short touchdown to Early Doucet in the fourth quarter. Once again the Eagles were shut out in the fourth. Michael Vick had a miserable game with 128 passing yards and two interceptions. He added in 79 yards rushing. What is worse for the Eagles is that Vick suffered two broken ribs and appears doubtful for this week against the Giants. Jeremy Maclin suffered a shoulder injury and did not return to the game. He also looks doubtful for this week's game. LeSean McCoy carried the offense with 81 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Are the Eagles done this year? It appears very likely, because they will be without two of their top playmakers Sunday against an angry Giants team that just lost the Niners. There are too many teams for the Eagles to catch in order to make the playoffs this year. The "dream team" looks like a broken dream right now and coach Andy Reid might be on the hot seat.
Miami 20 Redskins 9
The Redskins might not win another game this year. They look like one of the worst teams in the league. They can't find a decent starting quarterback and Mike Shanahan continues to change the starting running-back. The defense is on the field the whole game, because the offense can't sustain drives. There isn't one positive thing for this team right now and things won't get any better next week. They play the red hot Cowboys at home. Things could get ugly in that game. Prediction: Cowboys 31 Redskins 7
Giants 20 49ers 27
The Giants fought hard, but could not pull off a late fourth quarter comeback. The 49ers defense clamped down when it counted and stopped the Giants in the red zone. The Giants can't be ashamed of losing to a team with one loss in their house. They came back from a two score deficit in the fourth quarter. Eli Manning passed for 311 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Brandon Jacobs rushed for 55 yards, Victor Cruz had six catches for 84 yards, Mario Manningham had six catches for 76 yards and Hakeem Nicks caught two passes for 41 yards and a touchdown. The defense struggled and allowed Alex Smith to pass for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
They play the Eagles this week and it looks like they will be without Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin. If they both miss the game, the Giants should beat them decisively. The defense should force some turnovers and get a lot of pressure on a weak Eagles' offensive line. Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 21
The Cowboys should roll over the Redskins this week so it's a must win game for the Giants. In what was once a four-team race in the NFC East is now a two-horse race. The Cowboys are hot and the Giants face a rough schedule to finish their season. Who will be in first place? Let the games begin!
