Safety Quintin Mikell acknowledges that it's difficult to get any conclusive read on the Eagles' defense after only three games.

"We're kind of up and down," Mikell said of the defense that has produced two suffocating performances and one clunker. "We've only got three games under our belts, and I think when we play our game and we play aggressive, and we get after it, we're lights out, and we need to do that every week.

"It is a matter of doing it, and doing it each week in practice, preparing the right way. As long as we do that, we're going to be fine. I'm proud of the way we came out there (against the Chiefs), but it doesn't really mean anything after this week, so we're going to enjoy this week and get ready for the Buccaneers."

But the talent and opportunity is there according to Mikell.

"When we play how we're supposed to play, there's nobody that is as good as us, or we are just as good as anybody," he said. "I feel like as long as we come out ready to play, as long as we're focused, and we have a good week of practice, and prepare, we can hang with anybody. So, as long as we know that it is about us, we'll be fine."

The defense opened the season with a dominating performance against the Carolina Panthers, forcing seven turnovers and notching five sacks. Then the New Orleans Saints came to Lincoln Financial Field and were able to neutralize the attacking style of the Eagles' defense, tallying an astonishing 48 points (42 on offense).

In the Chiefs game, Kansas City continued to insist on running the ball to no avail against a stone-walling Eagles' front four.

"When you have a bunch of guys that are hungry and want to win and are aggressive, we can do a lot of good things," Mikell said. "So as long as we stay focused on that and don't get too high and don't think we're going to go to the Super Bowl because we're 2-1, we'll be alright."

In the mean time, Mikell and his teammates will enjoy the week off.

"Yeah it's good," Mikell said on the timing of the bye. "We're banged up a little bit. You know, get away from the game a little bit, rejuvenate. We're going to have some fun this week, but come Monday, we'll get back to business."

Sounds like a problem for the Tampa Bay offense.

-- Posted by Bo Wulf, 5:09 p.m., October 1