By Rob Maaddi
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Donovan McNabb's scrambling ability hasn't helped him escape New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan nearly enough. The record-setting Strahan has sacked Philadelphia's McNabb more than any other NFL quarterback and can add to that total when the Giants (3-3) play the Eagles (4-2) Monday night.

"I love playing against Donovan, because he's one of the toughest quarterbacks to play against," Strahan said. "He can beat you both ways - on the ground and throwing the ball. It's a big challenge.

"He's making very wise decisions. He throws the ball well and he runs when he needs to run. When he does run, he makes something happen. When he throws, he puts the ball where the guys need it. Donovan is a tough one to get. He's incredibly strong. He can break tackles easily."

Strahan has sacked 45 players a total of 88 times in the NFL, including 221/2 sacks last season, when he broke Mark Gastineau's single-season record.

McNabb has been a favorite target, tackled for losses eight times in three seasons by Strahan. He got McNabb 51/2 times in two games last year.

"Everyone knows where Strahan is," McNabb said. "He's going to have a good game and do what he has to do in order to help his team. We can't worry about that. We have to focus on whatever play is going to be called, reading the defenses, and getting the ball out of our hands."

McNabb is off to the best start of his career, passing for 1,407 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushing for 245 yards and four TDs. But he already has been sacked 21 times, second in the league behind Buffalo's Drew Bledsoe.

"He's sacked a lot, but for every time he's sacked, he makes plays happen that negate any yards that they lose," Strahan said. "I think sometimes that can be a little misleading, because the guy is definitely a playmaker. That's why they're 4-2, because of him. He's made everybody else better. If he wasn't as good as he is, he probably would have been sacked about 50 times."

The Giants have had two weeks to prepare for the Eagles. But they are 3-10 in games following a bye. A disappointing 17-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, who were without injured quarterback Michael Vick, preceded their week off.

The loss to Atlanta was costly for the Giants because defensive tackle Keith Hamilton went down for the season after rupturing his Achilles' tendon. Tight end Jeremy Shockey and cornerback Will Peterson missed the game because of toe injuries, but both are expected to play Monday.

"They've got a solid offense and a solid defense and a lot of guys that have been together for a while there now," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "I'm sure they've had some plays that they would like to have back and opportunities that they would like to have back, but they are a good football team."

The Eagles are coming off an impressive 20-10 victory over Tampa Bay that snapped the Buccaneers' five-game winning streak. Philadelphia's defense, ranked No. 2 in the NFL, held the Bucs' offense to just three points, and still hasn't allowed an offensive touchdown to an NFC opponent in four games this season.

The offense has almost been better, averaging 30.8 points. Even the running game is on track. Duce Staley ran for 152 yards against the Bucs and has 234 yards rushing in his last two games.

"They can go into a game and play it any way it has got to be played," Giants coach Jim Fassel said. "Run it, throw it, whatever they've got to do, they can do that. And they demonstrated that last week."

While Philadelphia's offense is clicking, the Giants have struggled. New York is 29th in scoring (14.3 points per game), 27th in rushing (87.3 yards), and 30th in red zone efficiency (five TDs in 15 possessions).

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