– The G-Men got off the snide in Carolina with an impressive 27-13 win over the Panthers. Eli Manning gave hope to New York fans again with a three-touchdown passing performance. Tiki Barber got back to running the football instead of running his mouth and the Giants still own the fifth spot if the postseason started today. The real story was Chris Weinke. I hammered him earlier this week and he gave me reason too with a three-interception second half. However, Weinke also threw for a franchise-record 423 yards. And check this out, his leading receiver was not Steve Smith or Keyshawn Johnson, but Drew Carter. You gotta love that Weinke to Carter connection in Carolina. The media darlings have now lost three and a row.
– t never looks pretty for them, but the Eagles still have a great shot at the playoffs after a 21-19 win over the Redskins. Philadelphia still has a long way to go to reach the postseason (road games against the Giants and Cowboys are next), but Jeff Garcia is flat out getting the job done. Garcia has throw eight touchdown passes since taking over for the injured Donovan McNabb and better yet, has yet to throw an interception. The defense still looks suspect at times, but the unit came up with a bunch of big plays against a struggling Jason Campbell.
– With a 17-6 victory in Tampa Bay, the Falcons swept the Bucs for the first time since the new divisions were introduced in 2002. It came at a severe price, however, as both Warrick Dunn and Jerious Norwood left the game in the third quarter with injuries. Atlanta has major flaws and without Dunn or Norwood, the Falcons playoff hopes may sink quickly. As for Tampa, what a great scene at the end of the game for Bucs fans. All the home crowd wanted was a last second touchdown to make the drive home less daunting. Instead, Joey Galloway was stopped short at the two yard line after it looked like he had a clear path to the end zone and Tim Rattay gets stuffed on a quarterback sneak as time expires. What a season in Tampa.
