After the Eagles loss to the 49ers and wins by both the New York Giants (2-2) and Dallas Cowboys (3-1), the Birds (3-1) are in a fight for the NFC East title.

The Giants’ consistent and unwavering response was, “we have good tight ends on the roster.” To which all of those skeptics replied, “seriously?”
Yes, seriously. The position that seemingly had more questions than any other has become a team strength four games into the season. Eli Manning has thrown nine touchdown passes this season. Seven of them have been to tight ends.

Darren Sproles and Chip Kelly were made to dance with one another. It was a shock that on March 13th of this year the Eagles flipped a measly 5th round pick to the Saints to make that partnership a reality. It sent shock waves throughout the league. The league and its coaches and its fans had seen enough of Chip in his inaugural year to know that this was going to be a prosperous partnership.

Speed and quickness cannot be taught, but size can. But even if a player bulk up for a “size” position during the off-season, mass can certainly be deleted with all the in-season training and stress of game playing. A player in high school trying to maintain 270 pounds requires about 4000 to 5000 calories per day, when training.

Early in the fourth quarter, it appeared FedEx Field had been evacuated, so empty were its burgundy and yellow seats. The few remaining fans were no longer singing “Hail to the Redskins,” the stadium’s chant of choice having been replaced with “Let’s go Giants!”

Watching the Eagles offensive line perform during the preseason, it became obvious that the Birds had depth at a position that was one of the biggest strengths during the 2013 season that produced a 10-6 record and an NFC East title for rookie head coach Chip Kelly.
No one though could have imagined that depth would be tested to the level it has been during this young season.

A committee of Giants is preparing to confront the one man who might well be the NFL’s best defensive player.

J.J. Watt will bring his unique blend of energy, versatility and production to MetLife Stadium Sunday when they 2-0 Houston Texans visit the Giants. Now early in his fourth season, the 6-5, 289-pound defensive end is a force unlike any other in the league. If the Giants are going to run their offense efficiently, they will almost certainly have to minimize the Watt-created mayhem.

The expectations of the Birds offense are very high and when you see the three receivers who played in the Eagles exciting come-from-behind 30-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts were targeted 18 times and caught just six passes, the questions are going to be asked.

At 5-foot-9, Trumaine McBride is the shortest player on the Giants’ active roster. But this Sunday against the Houston Texans, he will play a big role in the secondary when he takes over for Walter Thurmond III as the team’s nickel cornerback.

Darren Sproles and an opportunistic defense helped the Eagles erase a 14-point deficit in the second half with a walk-off 36-yard field goal by Cody Parkey.
The Birds remain alone in first place in the NFC East and face division foe Washington Redskins this Sunday at the Linc. 1 p.m. (FOX)