Trent Cole

The Eagles won the turnover battle for just the fourth time this season. They are 2-2 in those games. Donovan McNabb has thrown just six interceptions in 397 pass attempts this season. His 1.51 percent interception rate is the best of his career. But his 3.78 percent touchdown rate is his lowest since 2003, when he had just 16 touchdown passes in 478 attempts (3.34). With 144 yards from scrimmage against the Cowboys, Brian Westbrook has a league-best 1,896 for the season.

-- Avoiding disaster: Yesterday's win over the Redskins improves the Eagles' record to 2-4 heading into the bye. No team ever has made the playoffs after a 1-5 start. With three straight home games against the Cowboys, Bears and Cardinals after the bye, the Eagles have a chance to get back in the playoff race. -- Rediscovering LeSean: LeSean McCoy, who had just 20 carries in the Eagles' previous two games, had a career-high 28 carries against the Redskins, which he converted into 126 rushing yards.

Is Thursday night football the worst idea since toll roads? USA Today found a bunch of players - including including Eagles defensive end Trent Cole - who talked of troubles healing and getting prepared in time. Cole said he'll flip a mental switch to ignore his lingering aches and lagging energy as the Birds take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field. "The mind takes over the body. That's how you have to do it," he said. "If they are really concerned about the violence and injuries . . . Why is there Thursday night football?"

The New York Giants entered yesterday's game against the Eagles with the more publicized defensive-end unit. Despite yesterday's 27-17 loss to the Giants, the Eagles' new starting tandem of Jevon Kearse and rookie Trent Cole not only outplayed their counterparts, but dominated serious stretches of the game, especially in the first half. The Giants' starting defensive ends, Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, entered the game with a combined 15.5 sacks. But they were upstaged by Kearse, who had three sacks, and Cole, who added two, for a total of five - five more than the entire Giants defense.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Phillip Hunt realizes he's in the NFL and playing on one of the league's most respected defensive lines during positional drills and in positional meetings, and it's not just because of the talent that surrounds him. It's also because of the talent that once surrounded him. Trent Cole and Jason Babin, the Eagles' two starting defensive ends, have both been to a pair of Pro Bowls. Before Hunt came to the Eagles, he spent two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.

ON MONDAY, when reporters first watched the Eagles practice under Chip Kelly, among the stranger sights was a rep that featured Trent Cole crouching, his hands held at hip level, as he lined up across from slot receiver Jason Avant. So far, much of what has been written and said about the Eagles under Kelly concerns the offense. That's understandable, given that Kelly's offensive theories are why he got the job. The offense is why practice is run at such a hectic pace. But new defensive coordinator Billy Davis' unit is making an equally huge adjustment; maybe a bigger one, given that there figure to be more new defensive starters in 2013 than new offensive starters.

IF THE EAGLES lost Michael Vick to injury in the offseason, the alarm would be deafening. The fringy residents of Eagle Nation would hyperventilate if LeSean McCoy tore a chest muscle lifting weights. If DeSean Jackson's right knee buckled at the beach, or if Trent Cole dislocated his shoulder falling out of a tree stand, or if those Pamplonan bulls outrun Jason Babin, the Bleeding Green might slit their wrists. There should be at least as much anxiety surrounding the absence of Jason Peters.

IN HIS HUGE OFFICE, early in these spring mornings, ol' Chippah must be chuckling. He has the whole region chasing its tail, like some strung-out Pac-12 defense without the sense to just play soft until the red zone. Who will be the quarterback? Will the rookie right tackle start over that huge Hanson brother lookalike? Can Trent Cole play without his hand in the ground after eight seasons? Can Brandon Graham get a break? Who's going to return punts? Jason Avant's going to be a safety?

Eagles Packers Week #1 Eagles and Packer at historic Lambeau, Donovan and the Eagles wanted to put on a show. The game began when the Eagles won the toss, The offense wanted to show who was the boss. They opened the season with a trick play, Intentional grounding, the refs would say. The defense held, forcing the Packers to kick, Lewis muffed the punt, making the fans sick. The play ended with a Packer touchdown, Coach Seagrest's face must have had a frown.

We asked members of the Daily News Eagles fan panel who they think the Eagles will select in Round 1. Here is a sampling: Bud Shaffer, Hatboro: My choice is Adrian Clayborn of the University of Iowa, a defensive end. He is a high motor, rugged D-lineman. I saw him play in person twice in the last 2 years. I was impressed by his effort level and his relentless pursuit of the ball. He would be my choice, but I suspect they will draft yet another offensive lineman. Oh well. Ray Kelly, Moorestown, N.J.: After many years of watching their draft-day choices, I am counting on being surprised and befuddled.