“We proved to teams around the league that at some points, we can be one of the greatest offenses out there.” – Eagles tight end Brent Celek.

Eagles’ fans and observers in Philadelphia, as well around the country were looking forward to the Eagles game against the Giants yesterday to get an accurate reading on just how good – or bad – this year’s version of the Birds really is.

If yesterday’s 40-17 win over the Giants (5-3, 2-1) was any kind of a barometer, the Eagles (5-2, 2-0) are pretty good.

“We showed we can score on any given play, that we can drive down the field and score at will, I think we did that today,” declared tight end Brent Celek, who led the Eagles with four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown. “We proved to teams around the league that at some points, we can be one of the greatest offenses out there.”

It was hard to argue with Celek. The Eagles, especially in the first half, were able to pretty much do what they wanted on both sides of the ball.

With the win, the Eagles did their part on this unique Philadelphia sports weekend. The Birds defeated their New York opponent at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Sixers needed overtime to knock off the Knicks Saturday night, but the hoops team got the job done.

The Eagles game against Big Blue was over in the first quarter.

The Eagles first drive was nothing short of sensational. The first play was a little screen pass to LeSean “Shady” McCoy that went for 16 yards and a first down.

The second play was a dive play to McCoy that went for three yards.

The third play was a simple run up the middle by fullback Leonard Weaver.

The big guy blasted his way into the secondary and rolled to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown.

The Eagles struck again, this time by the defense. On just the third play from scrimmage Eli Manning was picked off by Asante Samuel who returned the ball to the 10-yard line.

A holding penalty on Jason Peters almost voided a touchdown pass to Celek, but on this day the offense, firing on all cylinders, would not be denied as Donovan McNabb connected with Celek for a 17-yard scoring pass, the extra point was blocked but the Eagles bolted to a 13-0 lead with 11:15 left in the first quarter.

Celek said he could sense the Giants lost the eye of the tiger when they came back and scored even after having the touchdown taken away from them after the penalty.

“I think it did break their backs,” Celek said. “When a team can consistently score on you left and right, it hurts you as a team. We were just able to put the petal to the metal and play well today.”

Offensive lineman Jason Peters also said he could see the fire leave the Giants eyes after the first quarter.

“They kind of gave up,” Peters said. “They weren’t rushing as hard as they were in the beginning when it was 0-0. That’s really any team. When you get them down like that, you’ve just got to go in and finish them.”

Meanwhile, it is hard to believe Manning’s plantar fascia injury of his right foot incurred in the Giants game against Oakland three weeks ago – affecting the thick tissue around his heal and arch – is not still bothering him.

The veteran signal caller was all over the place with his throws, Manning was picked off twice in the first half and could have been worse had several Manning heaves not been dropped by Eagles defenders.

Cornerback Sheldon Brown said he could see Manning was off with both his delivery and decisions.

“The ball floated on him on some passes,” said Brown. “One time, I think on Asante’s interception, he had a tight end with Asante on him. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t like that match up. I don’t know why he would throw the ball to the tight end with a corner covering him. I don’t know they’re game plan and we executed good. The guys up front did a good job of getting pressure in his face and making him comfortable in the pocket.”

The home team pulled out to a 16-0 lead at the start of the second on a David Akers 30-yard field goal.

The Giants finally answered when Manning connected with Kevin Boss for a touchdown with left in the second quarter.

But McNabb and his young unit of receivers were not done.

The 11-year veteran connected with DeSean Jackson for a 54-yard scoring strike to make it 23-6, and after Manning’s second interception – by Quintin Demps – McNabb hit rookie receiver Jeremy Maclin with a 23-yard laser between two defenders to make the score 30-6 at the half.  

Jackson’s touchdown in the second quarter was the second-year star’s sixth career TD of more than 50 yards tying him for the team career record with Tim Brown (1960-67) in that category.

The Giants nightmare continued when Domenik Hixon dropped the second half opening kickoff before he was hit and handed the ball to the Eagles offense at the yard line.

The Giants defense held the Birds to a 35-yard field goal by Akers making the score 33-7.

The game was more or less garbage time for the rest of the afternoon.

Cornerback Corey Webster was asked if the Giants were angry about the humiliating loss to the Eagles, their third in a row.

“We’re very angry,” Webster said. “We don’t like to lose games, we need to get back on track and play football the way we know how to. Right now we are a very angry team. We have to fight for 60 minutes, to the end. We can’t roll over and do what we’ve done over the last three weeks.”

STATS CORNER: McNabb was 17 of 23 for 240 yards, 3 TDs, no interceptions and a QB rating of 146.7 – he was sacked twice. Manning was 20 of 39 for 222 yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions and a rating of 55.7 – he was also sacked twice.

LeSean McCoy rushed for 82 yards on 11 carries and a 66-yard TD run. Steve Smith led the Giants with 12 8 catches for 68 yards.

On defense, Akeem Jordan led the Birds with 7 tackles (6 solo). Sean Jones, Will Witherspoon and Quintin Mikell each record 6 tackles total.