Wide receiver Jason Avant has become a fan favorite for Eagles fans because of his reliability on third down and insistence on making important grabs over the middle of the field. Over the past two games, however, Avant has been shut out, not making a reception in either game.

Quarterback Donovan McNabb said that the apparent disappearance of Avant has occured because teams understand how much McNabb likes to throw to the talented slot man.

"Teams have truly focused on Jason because everyone knows that (I like to throw to him)," McNabb said. "Jason will be involved more ... (he's) a guy that has made big plays for us over the years and he will continue to do that."

For Avant, the focus on the next opponent - the division-rival New York Giants.

"We're excited to go out and play against a rival," he said. "They know us and we know them, so it's big implications for ... the NFC East. We're just going to go out and play hard and try to get a win.

"Everything starts for them with their front four. They have Osi (Umenyiora) back this year, which is going to make it a lot harder to win the game. And Justin (Tuck) is back from his injury. If we can get those guys blocked, I think we'll be successful on Sunday."

Avant is well aware that Sunday could be a potentially historic day in Philadelphia.

"It's going to be rocking here on Sunday," he said. "We get a chance to start it off and hopefully go out there and do our part. We'll be looking when the game's over watching the Phillies (in the World Series) whatever happens. But we're going out there to play as hard as we can, and we want to bring the Philly fans some excitement."

With Brian Westbrook's status up in the air entering Sunday's game, Avant is confident in the depth of the offensive roster to get the job done regardless.

"We've had guys suffer different types of injuries in the past and we have other guys that come in and do something," he said. "It's not necessarily stepping up, but making sure you do your job and know that if you're in the right spot at the right time in this offense, then good things will happen. That's what we're going to focus on and we're going to have a positive attitude, hoping and praying that (Westbrook) will be there."

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 10:49 a.m., October 29