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Redskins outside linebacker Brian Orakpo has been named NFC defensive player of the week for his performance in the Redskins' 34-13 win over Oakland on Sunday. Orakpo finished with four sacks, a forced fumble and six tackles in the game, tying a Redskins record in the process. Only Ken Harvey, Dexter Manley, Diron Talbert and Phillip Daniels have had four sacks in a game. And since the NFL began tracking yards lost on sacks, Orakpo's 44 yards are the highest.

Orakpo's only the third rookie in league history to have four sacks in a game. Cornelius Bennett did it in 1987 and Leslie O'Neal has the record with five in 1986. Orakpo is only the second Redskins player to earn one of the league's weekly honors this season. Punter Hunter Smith earned special teams player of the week in Week 10.

In what has been a miserable season for the Redskins, Orakpo's play has been a very positive sign for the future. He's the type of player you build a defense around, and hopefully Greg Blache -- or whomever the next defensive coordinator is -- will continue to feature Orakpo. Teams are going to start scheming for him now that he's had so much success, so he'll have to continue in his development. But he's an absolute beast and it's nice to see him receive this honor from the league.

Let's take a quick look at the top story lines from around the division today:

Cowboys

• In my weekly column for ESPNDallas.com, I offer up the definitive Doug Free scouting report. Clip and save.

• Here's the latest injury report for the Cowboys and Redskins via Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com.

• Ben Rogers has joined ESPN FM 103.3 and he has some opinions on the future of Wade Phillips.

• Gerry Fraley of DallasNews.com says that Miles Austin is learning what life after instant stardom feels like.

• Todd Archer says the Cowboys have to be on high alert for Skins trick plays.

• I'm told that Santana Moss has already been informed about this blog entry from Archer.

Eagles

• Earlier this week, Quintin Mikell called this game the Eagles' Super Bowl.

• Macho Harris will take over on kick returns Sunday night.

• Marcus Hayes says that Sheldon Brown is vowing to play against the Bears.

• Sheil Kapadia of "Moving the Chains" fame knows who everyone's picking to win this game.

• Bob Ford of the Inquirer knows why the Eagles don't run the football.

• Sam Donnellon has more on the Eagles' red-zone woes.

Giants

• Tom Coughlin makes a statement about Antonio Pierce's neck injury.

• Here's what Ralph Vacchiano wrote about Pierce on Friday.

• Here's what The Record had on the Pierce injury.

• For a change of pace, let's go with an Aaron Ross story from Newsday's Arthur Staple.

• Michael Strahan stopped by the Giants' practice facility to deliver a pep talk.

Redskins

• David Elfin says the Skins' defense hoping to eliminate big plays against the Cowboys.

• Ryan O'Halloran of the Washington Times said Ladell Betts has always been confident.

• Bob Cohn of the Times focuses on Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin.

• Dexter Manley said Danny White was "whining like a baby" in the 1982 NFC Championship Game.
  

• Here's something that will shock everyone: The Redskins have found a little continuity along the O-line.