Eagles' ground attack prevails

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles ran to daylight against the New York Giants -- on the ground and in the NFC East standings.

McNabb scored on a spectacular 40-yard scramble and the Eagles shredded New York's defense for 299 yards rushing Monday night in posting a 17-3 victory and taking a two-game lead over the Giants and Washington in the NFC East.

With nine games left in the season, the Eagles (5-2) are seemingly well on their way to a second straight division title and the Giants (3-4) seem as if they're headed for another season that won't include a playoff appearance.

"Whatever it takes," McNabb said after gaining 111 yards on seven carries. "That's always been my attitude. You don't have to go out and pass for 300 or 400 yards every game. If it's me rushing for whatever so we can get that big win, I think that's the most important thing."

While McNabb stole the show, he had plenty of help from his supporting cast.

Duce Staley also gained 126 yards on 24 carries. The Eagles' offensive line helped the backs average 7.7 yards, and Philadelphia's defense limited the Giants to a field goal and forced a crucial third-quarter fumble by rookie fullback Charles Stackhouse at the 1-yard line when New York appeared on the verge of a go-ahead score.

"We have to do something," Giants safety Shaun Williams said. "This isn't good. We have to get ourselves together or this is going to turn into a long season."

Even with all the mistakes, the Giants still had a chance to spoil the final Monday night game at Veterans Stadium for the Eagles faithful.

Down by six early in the fourth quarter, Matt Allen had a punt roll dead at the Eagles 1.

All the Giants needed from their defense -- which was playing without injured defensive tackle Keith Hamilton -- was one stand. One stand and they would get the ball in great position.

It never happened.

McNabb, who was 14-of-30 for 137 yards, completed a 5-yard third-down pass to Antonio Freeman for a first down and the Eagles were off and flying.

Staley ran for 17 yards on the next play, and McNabb hit James Thrash for 32 yards two plays later to get the ball to the New York 39.

Faced with a third-and-11, McNabb let his feet ice the game. He went back to pass, broke tackle attempts by Kenny Holmes and Cornelius Griffin, faked a little dumpoff to one of his backs and then took off down the left side and scored almost untouched the rest of the way.

"We had a spy on him and he went for the fake," Giants coach Jim Fassel said of the mistake by middle linebacker Mike Barrow.

"What a great run that was," Eagles coach Andy Reid added. "Great vision and you saw the acceleration there. That's a big man running. He put it in high gear and took it in."

The run symbolized the Eagles' position in the standing -- all alone.

"I saw No. 5 (McNabb) running all over the place and that just should not happen," Giants cornerback Jason Sehorn said.

"He's a playmaker, he runs the offense like he's a point guard, he makes things happen," Barrow added.