NFC East This Week

New York Giants 31, Washington 7

Dallas 38, Indianapolis 35 (ot)

Eagles at Dallas, 8:20

New York Giants at Minnesota, 1

Tampa Bay at Washington, 1

Calendars are already circled for the showdown between the Giants and the Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on Dec. 19.

As the playoffs near, the East leader is currently the third seed in the NFC behind Atlanta (10-2) and Chicago (9-3). Seattle and St. Louis are tied at 6-6 in the West.

At 9-3, New Orleans is situated in one of the wild-card spots. Green Bay (8-4) is tied with the East runnerup.

Here is the rundown for the Eagles and the Giants for the rest of the season (times subject to change):

EAGLES:

Dec. 12: at Dallas, 8:20

Dec. 19: at Giants, 1

Dec. 26: Minnesota, 1

Jan. 2: Dallas, 1

GIANTS:

Dec. 12: at Minnesota, 1

Dec. 19: Eagles 1

Dec. 26: at Green Bay, 4:15

Jan. 2: at Wasington, 1

The Redskins turned the ball over six times and were thoroughly dominated by the Giants, ending Donovan McNabb's run of success against Big Blue.

McNabb was asked how far the Redskins are from being a legitimate contender and he harkened back to the Eagles.

"I've been in a situation like this. When I was drafted in 1999, we went 5-11, and it was somewhat of a similar situation where we found ourselves in ballgames, we just weren't able to pull it out. It was a young team, a team that was trying to gel together that just didn't understand about winning. And the next year, guys spent time in the offseason with each other, communicating, working well with each other. We knew what the system asked of us. Obviously, we brought some more guys in and ended up going 10-6 the next year. Is it very similar? I believe so. But, obviously, as a player, I don't want to be back in that situation again waiting to see until next year . . .

"I can understand if you don't have the talent, I can understand if you go into games and it just doesn't work out for you, but we have the talent and we are very capable of winning these ballgames."