Eagles Could Secure Playoff Spot Tonight

As the Philadelphia Eagles enter the final quarter of their season, they couldn't be in better shape in more ways than one.

A win at the Meadowlands tonight over their NFC East rival New York Giants would all but secure a playoff spot, and perhaps just as important, the team is getting healthier.

"Today was the first day everyone, with the exception of the guys on injured reserve, practiced," coach Andy Reid said Friday. "That's a real plus."

Everyone included running back Brian Westbrook, who is listed as out for Sunday night's game, but made it through a week of practice and is inching closer to a return.

Also practicing: wide receivers Jeremy Maclin (foot) and Kevin Curtis (knee), who are both listed as questionable.

Reid said Maclin will play Sunday night at the Meadowlands. Curtis will make the trip and be a game-time decision.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who missed last week's game at Atlanta with a concussion, is listed as probable and also is expected to play the crucial division game against the Giants.

Westbrook will miss his fourth straight game after suffering his second concussion of the season. He has missed a total of six games this season due to concussions.

"He's feeling pretty good," Reid said. "You could see it in practice. Every time he touched the ball, he was sprinting. You could see him getting back into the swing of things."

Westbrook is using a new helmet with more cushioning to absorb the blows a running back takes.

"It's big," Westbrook said. "But I'm getting used to it."

The Eagles have gotten used to not having their premier back in the lineup, going 5-1 in the six games he has not played. Still, getting him back would be a boost to an offense that ranks 11th in the NFL.

"I have to hear from the doctors, trainers and of course Brian when he's ready to go," Reid said. "But he's feeling pretty good and that's encouraging, there were no setbacks and that's a good thing."

Westbrook said earlier this week he wanted to get back before the end of the season.

"My major thing is to continue to try and progress and get better every single day and see how things go from there," he said.

Curtis, who has been out since a Week 2 loss to New Orleans, will take the bus ride up to the Meadowlands.

"He's doing better than I thought," Reid said. "He says he's feeling good and is ready to go. So he'll travel. Whether he dresses or not, I don't know yet."

That could depend on the status of the rookie Maclin, who injured his foot in last week's win over Atlanta, missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was back on the field Friday.

"He should be fine," Reid said.

It's a critical game for the Eagles (8-4) and the Giants (7-5). The Eagles won the first meeting, so a win Sunday would give them a two-game lead over their rival with three games to go — plus they'd hold the tiebreaker by sweeping the season series. If the Giants win, they'll be no more than one game out of first and could be tied if Dallas (8-4) also loses to San Diego. The Giants already have won both their meetings with Dallas.

"We're all fighting to stay alive at this point," Reid said. "This team enjoys playing together. They take coaching very well. Now we're in the final quarter we'll see how we do here down the stretch."