McNabb powers Eagles’ blowout of Giants

PHILADELPHIA -- Donovan McNabb threw three touchdown passes, and Sean Jackson had another big TD catch as the Philadelphia Eagles took a 40-17 win over a mistake-prone Eli Manning and the New York Giants yesterday.

"When you play these NFC East teams, you prepare for a heavyweight fight," Eagles coach Andy Reid said.

The Eagles (5-2) remained undefeated in the division and host Dallas next week. Philly continued its victorious run over NFC East teams a week after beating Washington.

However, McNabb knows the NFC East race isn't over yet.

"The challenges are everyone has a big head and bouncing around like it's going to happen every week," McNabb said.

The Eagles dominated without running back Brian Westbrook, who sat out after he suffered a concussion in the win over the Redskins. His absence caused Reid to add a new wrinkle to the offense: a fullback. Rarely asked to carry the ball under Reid, Leonard Weaver was an integral part early and helped catch the scuffling Giants by surprise.

The Eagles needed only three plays to score when Weaver ran 41 yards up the middle for a touchdown.

"It felt spacious," Weaver said. "You don't get a whole lot of opportunities as a fullback to feel what 'open field' is."

It only got better from there for the Eagles.

The next drive -- launched when Asante Samuel picked off Manning -- saw a McNabb to tight end Brent Celek TD called back on a penalty. No worries. The two connected on a 17-yard score two plays later and a 13-0 lead.

LeSean McCoy, Westbrook's backup, joined in the fun on a 66-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that made it 40-17.

New York (5-3) has lost three straight games after starting the season 5-0 for the first time since 1990. Manning continuously threw high over his receivers or was the victim of bad route running and threw two interceptions.

"You don't expect it when you win five straight," Manning said.