SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Will the Browns finally get up for a big game or wilt against a hot Giants team?

Matt Mosley

  (12:03 PM)

Are you talking about the darlings of "Monday Night Football?" I think they'll stand up and play for at least a half. But the Giants have many weapons for that secondary. I have no clue why the Browns are talking trash. They've lost all hope of being overlooked. The Giants love the national stage. They'll win going away.

Tim (NJ)

Giants: top 5 O line and top 5 D line...fair assessment? Also, what do the giants do with Tynes? Carney has been excellent!

Matt Mosley

  (12:04 PM)

For sure on the defensive line. I need a second to think about all the offensive lines around the league...OK, I'll give you that one, too. Tom Coughlin has said he'll save a spot for Tynes, one of the heroes from last season. I think he'll be allowed to take over his old job.

SprungOnSports (Long Island)

Can the Eagles still beat the Niners without Westbrook? How can Frisco get this upset?

Matt Mosley

  (12:07 PM)

Wait, I think this is two questions for you already. I'm cutting you off. Sure, the Eagles can beat the 49ers. But the defense has to go back to tackling. They'd been superb against the run, but the Redskins gashed them for over 200 yards. If Gore gets going, it could be a long day. I don't think it will be because the 49ers will fall behind early. The Eagles should call plays like they did at the first of the Redskins game. All that misdirection stuff was working. Then they inexplicably got away from it.

Pete C Newark DE

Is Miami good enough to hit the road and beat a win hungry Houston, who really handed that game away last week to Indy?

Matt Mosley

  (12:09 PM)

What's this? An AFC East question? Well, since half the coaching staff is comprised of ex-Cowboys I'll allow it. This Dolphins team has gotten some great help from the Wildcat formation, but it's the defense that has allowed them to win a couple of big games. The Texans have lost the last two games in devastating fashion. Give me Sparano -- and give me the Dolphins. By the way, Tony sits down and reads this live chat every Friday at noon ET.

Yatin (A Ledge Somewhere)

Hey Matt - convince me not to jump. The way I see it, the NFC Wild Card teams are both going to have 11+ wins. So my Eagles would have to go 9-2 to be in the mix. So we're done. Am I nuts or should I just jump already?

Matt Mosley

  (12:10 PM)

You're nuts, Yatin. The wildcard teams will not have more than 10 wins. I assure you of that. And the Eagles aren't going 9-2. That's a pipe dream.

Tony (Brooklyn, NY)

You have to think long and hard about the Giants having a top 5 o-line when they have three backs all approaching 6 ypc, and a QB playing as well as they do? Not from a scouting perspective but the results are overwhelming.

Matt Mosley

  (12:11 PM)

I'm sorry T. You have the best line of all-time.

Tony (Brooklyn, NY)

Do you agree that the toughest game on the Giants' schedule is against Baltimore?

Matt Mosley

  (12:12 PM)

Not sure where you're going with that, Tony. The games you have remaining against NFC East foes will be your toughest games.

Jesse James (Missouri)

Fix the Cowboys. I know they are winning, but against premium talent they wont be able to play like this. The defense is concerning without Newman and the Offense is not playing as well as the talent level dictates it should. Is Romo regressing?

Matt Mosley

  (12:14 PM)

Romo hasn't looked like himself the last couple of weeks. I'll certainly give you that. But I think it's way too early to say he's regressed. Cowboys fans will have to live with the weekly interception. You just hope that it doesn't happen late in games. He's still the same quarterback. It's not helping that T.O. can't get off the line of scrimmage right now. Forget what you're hearing about double and triple teams. He's getting bullied at the line of scrimmage.

Ryan (denver)

Who do you think is going to be better for the rest of the season, Matt Jones in Jacksonville or Kevin Curtis in Philly?

Matt Mosley

  (12:15 PM)

Well, neither guy will put up huge numbers. That was a great play by Jones late in the Steelers game, though. I'd go with Curtis.

Justin (Trenton, NJ)

What do you see Jacobs doing this Monday, and does last weeks big game finally convince the coaching staff to stop rotating him in and out so much?

Matt Mosley

  (12:17 PM)

I think Ward will continue to get carries. I think Jacobs is more effective at 22 carries than at 28 over the long haul. He gets banged up a lot, and Coughlin doesn't need to carried away. Ward will get his touches, and maybe Bradshaw will take the field at some point.

james (ny)

matt i know "unofficially" the dolphins are in a rebuilding mode right now. however with the resurgence of the defense and ronnie brown, why dosnt parcells go after roy williams or tj. all we need is one good reciever and that could put us over the hump

Matt Mosley

  (12:18 PM)

Don't overreact to the two wins. I'm rooting for the Dolphins like crazy, but there's still a long road ahead of them. As Parcells would say, "this season will not be without problems."

Pete C Newark DE

Matt, with the current play in the NFC East, will three teams make the playoffs from that division? And if so who?

Matt Mosley

  (12:19 PM)

Yes. Redskins, Cowboys and Giants

Jake (VA Beach)

Speaking of Matt Jones...how is his suspension likely ONLY 1-2 games for a felony?! The guy is going down for a FELONY cocaine conviction.

Matt Mosley

  (12:20 PM)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think he agreed to lesser charges. This thing will go to the drug courts, and the punishment will be much less severe than it would've been. From what I'm told, this is pretty standard for a guy with no priors.

Tony (Brooklyn, NY)

Who is the most underrated great player in the NFC East? Portis, when you take into account the pass catching and blocking ability?

Matt Mosley

  (12:22 PM)

Tony, stop asking leading questions. Jay Ratliff has been the best player on the Cowboys defense. He's underrated. I think Sheldon Brown's an underrated cornerback. Chris Snee doesn't get enough credit for the Giants and I don't think there's any such thing as an underrated superstar. I'm pretty sure most of us realized that, when healthy, Portis is one of the best backs in football.

Mike (Indianapolis, IN)

Manning or Campbell? Fargas or Duece

Matt Mosley

  (12:23 PM)

Manning will put up better fantasy numbers. Deuce over Fargas

Jeremy (San Diego)

Matt, just wanted to say thanks for the great job this season. I e-mailed you weeks ago about balanced coverage and you haven't disappointed. I'm glad that the NFC Beast blog has the best blogger of the group. Thanks again man!

Matt Mosley

  (12:24 PM)

Jeremy: I appreciate the kind words. I'm privileged to cover the division with the best stories. Folks like you make my job a lot of fun.

Jeremy (San Diego)

Matt, do you think the three teams from the NFC Beast who all make the playoffs could possibly all have 12 wins?

Matt Mosley

  (12:24 PM)

No way.

Ben (Zoo York)

Are the 'Skins legitimate SB contenders? What is the last missing piece (if anything)?

Matt Mosley

  (12:26 PM)

Ben: The Redskins are absolutely Super Bowl contenders. You have a QB who isn't making mistakes, a solid offensive line and the best running game in the division. The only thing holding you back is the lack of a consistent pass rush. Maybe Jason Taylor can come back and provide that.

M (McLean, VA)

Matt, the most underrated player in the NFC East is London Fletcher, who never made a pro bowl, but had more tackles in the last ten years or so than any other player.

Matt Mosley

  (12:27 PM)

He's a tremendous player. And the emotional leader of that defense. Surely London's been to a Pro Bowl, hasn't he?

Cliff (NYC)

How dominant is Chris Samuels? Is this guy a potential HOFer at left tackle?

Matt Mosley

  (12:28 PM)

Let's tap the brakes on the Hall of Fame, but he's been to the Pro Bowl five times in eight seasons and should be headed to a sixth. Off the top of my head, only one other lineman in the history of the team has been to six Pro Bowls. And just a really neat guy, too. I talked to him by phone Wednesday. Our conversation is currently on the Beast blog.

Steve (Elkridge, MD)

No Matt, London has never been to a Pro Bowl. Let's get the man to Hawaii!!

Matt Mosley

  (12:29 PM)

I chaired Jason Witten's first Pro Bowl campaign. I'll see if we can't get this one done.

Doug (NY)

After these next 2 games, don't see any "easy" ones for the Giants. Should we be happy going 11-5?

Matt Mosley

  (12:30 PM)

I think 11 wins certainly gets you a playoff berth, but I'm not sure it wins the Beast. I think it's reasonable to expect the Giants to go 12-4.

Dallas Kaiserslautern Germany

Matt, I just wnated to know how come the Giants get taken to overtime by the Bengals and pull out a win and it is a great win from them and Dallas beats the same team and all sudden they are on the decline and their season is over? Not to mention that Dallas is playing with a thrid string safety and without Newman the top corner on the roster aginst one of the better WR groups in the NFL.

Matt Mosley

  (12:32 PM)

Yeah, I hear ya on that one. Here's the difference in those games to me. When the Giants played the Bengals, Carson Palmer wasn't banged up and Cincy hadn't lost all hope of going to the playoffs. The Cowboys were coming off a devastating loss to the Redskins and they were facing a gimpy Carson Palmer. I thought their inability to put the Bengals away was cause for concern. And I still think that.

john (cincinnati)

if the bengals win 4 games this year, will marvin lewis be fired? do you think their are apologists out there for lewis even though bengals have lots of talent on offense and defense has stunk for years?

Matt Mosley

  (12:33 PM)

John in Cincinnati. Wasn't that a failed HBO series with Rebecca DeMornay? Anyway, I think Marv's gone unless the Bengals run off nine or 10 wins. And we all know that won't happen.

Jeremy (San Diego)

Have you heard about the fact that the Redskins have won the Super Bowl the year after the Giants have won their Super Bowls? Do you think the NFC Beast has the youth and talent to sustain their dominance for the next 5 years?

Matt Mosley

  (12:34 PM)

The Beast is here to stay. Although I'd be a bit worried about the Eagles' future with McNabb. If they go in the tank, there will be people in Philly calling for the Kolb era to begin.

Anthony (Bayside, NY)

Matt, Giants beat the redskins week 1. What would happen if they were playing this weekend?

Matt Mosley

  (12:36 PM)

It would be a great game, Anthony. I'll be there for the rematch -- unless my editors tell me go somewhere else. Actually, they tell me "where I can go" on a daily basis. Anyway, I think the Redskins would win at FedEx right now.

Matt (Hell freezes over, Hell)

Chances we see both TO and Pacman on Dallas next year? Chances of only one of them being on team? Whats your gut feeling from our best Beast insider.

Matt Mosley

  (12:37 PM)

T.O. will be in Dallas for sure. Pacman? Who knows.

Adam (CT)

You do you believe will come out on top of the NFC South, Panthers or Bucs?

Matt Mosley

  (12:38 PM)

Give me the Panthers.

Dorian (NJ)

How many pro bowlers are on the giants? Who?

Matt Mosley

  (12:39 PM)

Eli, Jacobs, Snee, Diehl, Plax, Pierce, Tuck, Robbins and MAYBE Ross or Webster

Mike (San Francisco)

Matt, I have to disagree with you. The Giants have the best running game in the division. They do a better job than even the Redskins. They can put three backs out there with different styles and absolutely punish defenses. Realize that Jacobs, Ward, and Bradshaw all had games last year where they ran for over 140 yards.

Matt Mosley

  (12:39 PM)

Mike, you're not allowed to disagree with me.

Anthony (Bayside, NY)

So, with all the questions about who's the better QB, Eli or Peyton, I'll ask you this: Whos the funnier one in comercials? Gotta love Eli's Toyota spots.

Matt Mosley

  (12:41 PM)

They're both really good. It's too early to say Eli's surpassed Peyton. Big brother's done it for years. Peyton's funnier in commercials, but Eli's got a great sense of humor in person. Seriously.

Steve (Virginia)

Matt, did you know that the Redskins are 8-2 over there last 10 games (including playoffs) since Sean Taylor died? How much influence do you believe that his death still has on the team? Also, have you asked any of the 'skins about this?

Matt Mosley

  (12:43 PM)

Steve: I think a lot of players still think about Taylor all the time. He left quite a legacy with the franchise. But I think there was a sense of closure when Gibbs left. Zorn is very respectful regarding what the team went through, but he's not trying to bring it up a lot or anything. I think the team rode an emotional roller coaster to the playoffs last season. Gibbs was remarkable. This is a different team, though. Lot of the same players, but their identity has changed to a certain extent.

Matt (Baltimore, MD)

Early thoughts on Felix Jones? Granted it's only 27 carries but 9 yards a pop is pretty darn impressive. Do you feel Garret wishes he could go back to the Washington game and use the running game a little more? He bailed on it way to early and gave Felix 0 touches. Beers in Baltimore if you ever visit.

Matt Mosley

  (12:46 PM)

Thanks for the kind offer, Matt. In retrospect, the Cowboys should've at least tried the running game. The Redskins were playing with eight players in the box, but that in itself shouldn't force a team to abandon the run. It was a poor effort by the coaching staff, and we should've given Garrett more grief than we did. Felix Jones is a gamebreaker. He needs to touch the ball a minimum of 10 times on offense.

Randy Hagerman (Trenton, NJ)

Nobody is talking about the Giants' secondary, although it's possibly the best in the division. What gives? Sure, this was a position of weakness LAST season, but the Giants have had a couple coverage sacks and are actually defensing passes!

Matt Mosley

  (12:49 PM)

Good point, Randy. I think it's a result from the Cowboys and Eagles' secondaries getting so much attention. And the Redskins have been really solid with Rogers, Springs and Smoot. And the Horton kid has been amazing. That said, Corey Webster and Aaron Ross have been really good. The Giant are so deep at the position with Sam Madison over there backing things up. And Michael Johnson and James Butler are doing a nice job. Even an exciting young guy like Phillips is having trouble getting on the field. So yes, they deserve more credit,. I'll look into it.

Craig (PA)

Is Andy Reid overrated as a coach? He seems to make some terrible decisions, his goalline playcalling has been awful, and he has never been known for his time management skills. Thoughts?

Matt Mosley

  (12:51 PM)

I have a hard time calling a guy overrated who has had so much success. You remember all those trips to the NFC title game and the one Super Bowl? I know it's been a few years, but you don't suddenly forget how to coach. I agree that the goal line stuff is unacceptable. Don McNabb has the strongest lower body of any quarterback in football. Stop babying him and call a sneak.

Randy Hagerman (Trenton, NJ)

The Eagles linebackers were terrible against the Redskins this past weak. Was that a sign of youth and inexperience, or is this the mediocre group that some thought they were?

Matt Mosley

  (12:52 PM)

I thought the outside guys (Gocong and Gaither) just did a really poor job trying to turn things back in. They've tackled pretty well in the past, but Portis made them look silly. I still think it's a talented group, but there's no excuse for getting gashed for 200 yards rushing.

shane (dale city VA)

you really think eli is gonna have better fantasy stats them campbell this week...The skins are playing the rams who has the worst secondary in the league.

Matt Mosley

  (12:53 PM)

Shane, the game will be over early and the Redskins will run the ball the entire second half. Trust me.

Ben (SF)

With Jacobs in a contract year and Ward a 1 yr signing how do you see the giants RB committe playing out next year...will jacobs get dissapointed and bolt?

Matt Mosley

  (12:54 PM)

GM Jerry Reese won't let that happen with Jacobs. He's a valuable part of the team, and it's not like they've put a lot of trust in Bradshaw.

Chad Webb (Rapid City, SD)

Hey Matt, What's your take on the way the Jerry Jones is handling the Pacman incident?

Matt Mosley

  (12:55 PM)

Chad, I've written about 5,000 words on that the past couple of days. It's up on ESPN.com. I think Jerry's let Pacman embarrass him and the franchise. In my book, zero tolerance doesn't allow for a guy to get in a public scuffle with his bodyguard. What an absolute joke.

James ((Anaheim))

How will Usain Bolt handle the NFL?

Matt Mosley

  (12:56 PM)

I think he'll be a wonderful possession receiver.

Superman(Suitland, MD)

Why do ESPN only reports negative situations about the Cowboys? Why in your Friday Beastlines is it only negative thing about the Boys and positives for the rest?

Matt Mosley

  (12:57 PM)

Part of my effort to destroy the franchise, Supe. Half my readers think I'm in love with the Cowboys. Half think I can't stand them. I'm completely fine with that.

Marcus (Chicago)

Is Jason Campbell this good or just having an unreal year?

Matt Mosley

  (12:58 PM)

Well, it's impossible to know that after five games. We do know that he's really taken to Jim Zorn's West Coast offense and overall approach. And he doesn't turn the ball over. I think he's this good.

logan (Selbyville Delaware)

how many wins do you think the redskins are capable of getting this year?

Matt Mosley

  (12:58 PM)

11

Tony (Brooklyn, NY)

Tuck vs. Ware - Probably Never, Maybe in a couple of seasons, or the comparison has begun?

Matt Mosley

  (12:59 PM)

Ware's a better pass rusher, but Tuck may be a little more versatile with his ability to move inside. Right now, Ware's clearly a better player, but Tuck's a player on the rise.

bridgewtater, va

Should the Skins be wary of St Louis as a trap game?

Matt Mosley

  (12:59 PM)

Nope

Wes (York, PA)

Why do all cowgirl fans cry like babies?

Will (San Antonio, TX)

Please don't jinx the Skin's Matt. Saying the game will be over early this weekend is a total jinx. Last I checked this is still the (N)ot (F)or (L)ong league, and anything can happen.

Matt Mosley

  (1:01 PM)

Will: Just for you, I'll say watch out for the Rams! You never know when Haslett might get this thing turned around.

Stephen (DC)

I am really happy with how the Skins are doing right now, and everyone is giving kudos to Zorn, as they should... but don't you think that a lot of people are overlooking Gibb's hand in all this? He may not have been the best offensive play caller in the past few years, but this is definitely HIS team, meaning he brought the players in, picked them, and put together the core of the team. And one more quick question... can you tell McNabb to shut up? The Skins were a better team last sunday and are a better team now. He needs to get over himself. Thoughts?

Matt Mosley

  (1:02 PM)

Sure, you can still give Gibbs a lot of credit. But this team has a different personality under Zorn. He's done some things to change the culture. That's not a knock on Gibbs. It's just that players are ready for a different voice at times. I think it was time.

Jay(Mackinney)

Why id Romo mad at you now?

Matt Mosley

  (1:04 PM)

Jay, your guess is as good as mine. Listen, you guys have been great. Next week, don't wait so long to show up. We started with 16 people and finished with just under 200. Set an appointment for noon ET next Friday All my best, Matt