Reid, Gibbs in search of redemption

LANDOVER, Md. — Joe Gibbs and Andy Reid are No. 1 and No. 2 in the NFL in winning percentage among active coaches.

And both are coming off the worst losses of their careers.

As far as anyone can tell, neither one threw a chair or punched a hole in a wall this week, although Reid ended up suspending Terrell Owens. In fact, the coaches appeared to be reading from the same script after Gibbs' Washington Redskins lost by 36 points to the New York Giants and Reid's Philadelphia Eagles were embarrassed by 28 at Denver.

Gibbs: "I think we take a long hard look at ourselves, and it certainly starts with me. . . . It seemed like we were kind of all of us together on it."

Reid: "We've got to do a better job, starting with me. We're all in this thing together, and we've just got to pick it up an inch."

Maybe that's how division titles and Super Bowls are won — there's certainly no arguing with either man's credentials — but their methods are getting a crucial test this week. The Eagles and Redskins, both 4-3, are limping, literally and figuratively, into Sunday night's NFC East showdown in which the loser will fall into sole possession of last place in the NFL's most competitive division.

"For both sides, I think we both need this," Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb said. "It could jump-start a lot of different things that we want to do."

The problems both coaches face can be boiled down to two words: injuries and blueprints. Both teams have several key players who are hobbling, and each provided the whole world a blueprint on how it can be beaten in the previous week's game.

For the Eagles, McNabb has a bruised rib to go along with the sports hernia that has pained him all season. Defensive end Jevon Kearse has a shoulder injury, and linebacker Jeremiah Trotter is bothered by a swollen knee.

For the Redskins, three starters along the defensive line — Cornelius Griffin (hip), Phillip Daniels (ankle) and Joe Salave'a (foot) — are hurting. Left tackle Chris Samuels had to have his knee drained this week.

"Everybody say a prayer," Gibbs said. "We need good health."