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New York Giants
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The Giants lead the NFL with 13 giveaways, and they will face a Chiefs defense that leads the AFC with nine takeaways. Expect ball security to be focal points A, B, and C for Tom Coughlin's group this Sunday, as his team tries to beat the undefeated Chiefs and avoid an 0-4 hole.
- Should the Giants crawl out of the NFC East cellar, they may have to do it shorthanded. Starting center David Baas and starting guard Chris Snee were held out of practice on Thursday for the second straight day with neck and hip injuries. Starting tackle David Diehl has not played a game thus far after undergoing offseason thumb surgery. The Giants offensive line woes are well-documented, as the team has the fewest rushing yards in the NFL and has given up the most sacks in the NFC with 11.
- Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks drew controversy with his comments after last week's 38-0 loss to the Panthers, saying "I can't throw the ball to myself" after recording zero catches. However, his teammates have since spoken out and squashed any speculation of a divided locker room, saying that Nicks' comments were taken out of context.
Philadelphia Eagles (by: Sean Patterson)
- The Eagles injury report only includes two names this week. Jason Peters has a broken finger injury that he suffered against the Redskins in Week One. His injury was not on previous injury reports because Peters does not believe the injury was to be considered serious. Patrick Chung is out with a shoulder injury and he may not play against the Broncos. The Eagles secondary may be easy pickings for Manning on Sunday.
- Bleeding Green Nation lists the number of targets each Eagles receiver has through the first three games of the season. It is no surprise that DeSean Jackson is leading the team in targets, but you may be surprised to learn how the other targets are breaking down.
- CSN Philly's Reuben Frank reports that stopping Peyton Manning is an impossible task. Eagles first year defensive coordinator, Billy Davis, argues that using disguised defenses rarely work on Peyton Manning. He argues that the best way to contain Manning is to use pressure to not let him get into a rhythm. This game plan would work on just about every quarterback, but getting pressure on Manning is easier said than done. Manning has not thrown an interception this season and getting "cute" with defensive schemes will not likely help the Eagles' cause.
Dallas Cowboys (by: Mike Harar)
- On Tuesday, defense end Anthony Spencer tweeted that he would be having season ending micro-fracture knee surgery and would be 100% by January or February. He originally had surgery on the same knee back in July and missed all of training camp and the preseason. He finally got into a game in Week Two, but the knee did not respond how he had hoped. However, on Wednesday Ian Rapoport reported that Spencer, who is playing this year under the franchise tag, is seeking alternative methods of treatment and may not miss the season.
- In other injury news, wide receivers Miles Austin and Dwayne Harris both sat out of Wednesday's and Thursday's practice. If they cannot play on Sunday, Terrance Williams and Cole Beasley will have expanded roles.
- The NFC East leading Cowboys (2-1) have spent the week preparing for Phillip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers (1-2). Rivers has had somewhat of a comeback year thus far in 2013, throwing for 798 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. The Chargers defense has been less impressive through three games, and rank 31st in pass defense and 28th in rushing yards allowed.