They say keep your friends close, but your divisional rivals closer.
With that in mind, each week Giants.com takes a look at the latest news and happenings around the NFC East:
NEW YORK GIANTS (3-2, 1-1 NFC EAST)
Week 5: W, 30-27 vs. 49ers
Streak: Won 3
*Next: @ Eagles (Mon. night)
• After starting 0-2, the Giants are alone at the top of the NFC East following their third consecutive victory. As part of a career night, quarterback Eli Manning rallied the Giants from a fourth-quarter deficit or tie to win a game for the 32nd time in his 12 seasons, including playoffs.
• Middle linebacker Jon Beason, who suffered a concussion on the first drive of the 49ers game, "seemed to be in pretty good spirits and pretty good shape," coach Tom Coughlin said the day after the Sunday night game. The extra day leading up to the Monday night matchup could help Beason return without missing another game. But the best news the Giants received was the improvement of tight end Daniel Fells, who continues to be hospitalized due to a staph infection (MRSA) in his ankle. While he's not out of the woods just yet, the Giants presented the game ball from Sunday to Fells via Skype.
• Starting for the third straight game in place of an injured Tony Romo, Brandon Weeden went 26 of 39 for 188 yards and an interception. Coach Jason Garrett said he will evaluate all of the positions over the bye week, quarterbacks included. Meanwhile, Matt Cassel was active on Sunday for the first time since he was acquired in a trade with Buffalo on Sept. 22.
"He's certainly comfortable enough," Garrett said of Cassel, according to the team's official website. "We wouldn't have put him in that situation [Sunday] to be the backup QB with a possibility of going into the game if something were to happen to Brandon."
• All-Pro wide receiver Dez Bryant is progressing since fracturing his foot in the season opener against the Giants. The rematch is set for Week 7 after the Cowboys' bye. "He's making progress," Garrett said.
"He's going through his rehab and he's been out on the field a little bit but he's really just taking it day by day. We'll see how he responds to the work going forward. The bone has to heal. It's the kind of injury that the bone has to heal. Him being a tough guy doesn't really matter in this situation. It's a medical decision and he's certainly going to give himself every chance to go out there and play."
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-3, 1-1 NFC EAST)
Week 5: L, 25-19 (OT) @ Falcons
Streak: Lost 1
Next: @ Jets
• Atlanta cornerback Robert Alford returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown in overtime as the Falcons remained undefeated with the 25-19 win over the Redskins. It was Kirk Cousins' second interception of the day and his third multi-interception game of the season.
• Running back Matt Jones (toe), cornerback Bashaud Breeland (rotator cuff contusion) and offensive tackle Trent Williams (neck strain) suffered injuries on Sunday, according to Redskins.com. Head coach Jay Gruden also said cornerback Chris Culliver (knee) and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (hamstring) will also increase their work load this week.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-3, 0-2 NFC EAST)
Week 5: W, 39-17 vs. Saints
Streak: Won 1
Next: vs. Giants (Mon. night)
• Last year's rushing champion DeMarco Murray, who had just 47 yards entering Sunday, recorded 83 yards and a rushing touchdown against the Saints. Sam Bradford finished 32 of 45 for 333 yards and two touchdowns. However, he did throw two interceptions to the Saints in the end zone.
• The Eagles played without starting linebackers Kiko Alonso (knee) and Mychal Kendricks (hamstring).
The Giants Broadcast team hands out its game balls after the Giants defeat the San Francisco 49ers
QB ELI MANNINGIn addition to his 32nd career game-winning drive, here is a list of accomplishments Manning notched on Sunday night: set the franchise record for number of completions (41), broke Phil Simms' Giants record with his 102nd career victory, and moved ahead of Kerry Collins (40,922) for 12th place on the all-time passing yards list.
TE LARRY DONNELLScored the game-winning touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Eli Manning with 21 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
WR ODELL BECKHAM JR.Finished with seven receptions for a game-high 121 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown in the third quarter. It was Beckham's ninth career 100-yard game.
RB SHANE VEREENLed the Giants with eight receptions for 86 yards, including a 24-yarder on the game-winning drive, and a two-yard touchdown.
TE DANIEL FELLSThe Giants dedicated the game to tight end Daniel Fells, who has been hospitalized with a MRSA (staph) infection, and his family. "And thank God we got him the game ball," coach Tom Coughlin said. "That was some football game tonight and to have a guy from his (position) room go up there and make that catch at the end of the game was just incredible."
