NFC East Notebook, Nov. 22: Jerry Jones gives Jason Garrett a vote of confidence

The NFC East race is garnering more attention this week, as Dallas and the New York Giants are set to do battle for a second time. In the season opener these two rivals faced off, and Dallas dominated. Now the Giants, winners of four in a row and knocking on the door in the divisional race, is seeking revenge.

Division-leading Philadelphia is on a bye, while Washington will look to silence all of the critics when they play the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. Once the toast of the town, Robert Griffin III is facing a ton of criticism for perhaps throwing his coach under the bus. He'll try to and make reparations against a Niners squad that has lost two in a row and needs a win to right the ship.

Here's the latest from around the NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys

Earlier this week, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gave coach Jason Garrett a vote of confidence and said he'll return to the sidelines next year. However, Jones did the same with Wade Phillips before firing him in the middle season. He said he wasn't going to get rid of Terrell Owens or trade Roy Williams, and we know how that went.

Perhaps Jones is making a strategic move, inflating his head coach's confidence so he can coach without the worry of losing his job at season's end. But how many games do the Boys need to win for Garrett to salvage his job? Three of the team's final six games come against NFC East foes -- that seems like a fitting starting point.

Philadelphia Eagles

Sitting atop the NFC East standings is Philadelphia, which will sit idle this week with a bye. And the timing might be perfect for the team in green.

After all, the team is clicking on all cylinders. Nick Foles has energized the offense. The defense has allowed 21 points or fewer in seven straight contests. And even the special teams is playing well. Now the red-hot Eagles can rest up, recover and game plan for the surging Arizona Cardinals.

Speaking of Foles, the second-year signal-caller got a vote of confidence from Michael Vick this week. Vick, who began the season under center for Philly before getting injured, had this to say about his teammate.

"In all honesty, in all fairness, how can you take a guy out of the game who's been playing so well?" Vick said.

"I've been in this stage before, and I know what it's like. I understand the position that this team is in, and the one thing I never want to do is be a distraction or put our team or our coaches in a position where they feel like they're not doing the right thing or I feel like they're not doing the right thing."

Washington Redskins

There's been a lot of stir in the nation's capital of late, with both RGIII and Mike Shanahan under fire for the team's regression this season. However, Hogs Haven nominated another scapegoat: General Manager Bruce Allen.

One way to silence to critics is to knock off NFC contender San Fran on primetime Monday night. Here's Hogs Haven's five keys to victory: (1) Key in on Frank Gore and the running game; (2) Prepare for the read-option; (3) Give RGIII more time in the pocket; (4) Play physical defense on Vernon Davis and Anquan Boldin; and (5) Tight up on special teams.

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