1. Darby Earns Distinction

Pro Football Focus recognized Eagles cornerback Ronald Darby as the Flex Defense on their Week 6 NFL Team of the Week after a standout performance against the New York Giants. Darby has the second-most tackles on the Eagles' defense with 29 and is tied for the most pass deflections on the team with nine:

Darby was targeted six times by Eli Manning in the Eagles win over the Giants on Thursday Night Football but allowed just one reception for no yards whatsoever. Showcasing his ability to make plays on the ball, Darby finished the game with four pass breakups to boot.

2. Peters Playing Past Pain vs. Panthers

Head coach Doug Pederson told reporters yesterday in his press conference that Jason Peters would practice this week and be "ready to go" when the Eagles take on the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Peters suffered a biceps injury against the Giants but will be able to play through it. Peters was limited in practice yesterday as were several other Eagles listed in yesterday's injury report:

"He's the best football player I've ever seen in person," said guard Isaac Seumalo. "(Playing through the injury) shows how much he loves this game because that guy puts in more than just about anybody in terms of on and the field and off the field."

3. Weapon X: Simply the Greatest

Brian Dawkins, quite possibly the most beloved Eagle of all time, had a fantastic weekend over the summer in Canton, Ohio filled witih midnight green celebrating his Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction. This Sunday, he will return home to the Linc to receive his Hall of Fame ring at halftime of the Eagles-Panthers game and celebrate with 70,000 of the Philadelphia fans he loves so much.

For the cover story of this week's Gameday Magazine, Chris McPherson wrote about his all-time favorite Eagle and what Dawkins meant this city. Yes, the numbers are impressive. But with Dawkins, the moments are most memorable:

Of course, there's the hit. The hit. When you think of Dawkins and a bone-crushing tackle, there's one play that immediately comes to mind – the 2004 NFC Championship Game blow delivered to Alge Crumpler. You might forget that Crumpler managed to hold on to the ball, but the message was sent. After three straight defeats in the NFC title matchup, the Eagles were not going to be denied.

There have been plenty of players who shined in big moments, but none connected with the fans the way Dawkins did. If you needed any sort of reminder, just watch Dawkins' Hall of Fame speech from August. Eagles fans turned the crowd at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium into a sea of midnight green.

Eagles fans love defense. That was cemented during the Buddy Ryan era and the Gang Green defense of the late 1980s and early 90s. Dawkins was the continuation of that.