NFC East update: Eagles taking command

Last week on “Days of Our Division,” Dallas returned from the dead to shock the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys’ upset helped the surging Philadelphia Eagles create even more cushion in their NFC East lead. And in New York, the Giants proved they’ve got plenty of other problems beyond QB Daniel Jones.

Instead of Dan Quinn getting some so-called revenge, not to mention Tyler Biadasz, Dorance Armstrong, Noah Brown, Dante Fowler, Noah Igbinoghene, Joe Whitt, and probably some former AT&T Stadium concessions workers, Washington ate yet another loss from the Cowboys. The rivalry aside, this one stung even more for the Commanders as it was their third straight and has now brought their storybook season to a point of tremendous peril. A few weeks since leading the NFC East, they’re now just a half-game away from falling out of the playoffs entirely.

Philadelphia rode 255 rushing yards from Saquon Barkley into a dominant win over the Los Angeles Rams, their seventh straight. While the Packers and Vikings won’t go away quietly, the NFC appears to belong to either the Eagles or the Detroit Lions this season.

After releasing Daniel Jones, New York looked even less competent in a 30-7 home drubbing from the Buccaneers. The team appears to have fully quit on the season, which may be according to the front office’s plan, but it’s going to make for an ugly six remaining games.

Current NFC East Standings

Philadelphia Eagles 9-2 (3-0, 6-2 vs NFC)

Washington Commanders 7-5 (2-2 in division, 5-3)

Dallas Cowboys 4-7 (2-1, 2-5)

New York Giants 2-9 (0-4, 1-7)

The Giants now take their poop show on the road for a Thanksgiving matchup with the Cowboys. As bad as Dallas can still be, especially with so many injured starters and a short week to prepare, New York doesn’t even seem to be engaged at this point. The Cowboys’ incredible 14-1 record over the G-Men since 2017 should only improve this week, which would move Dallas to 5-7 and at least make for some interesting philosophical debates about the remainder of their season.

The Commanders have a decent shot at ending their losing skid with a home game against the 3-8 Tennessee Titans. If Washington can’t get it together for this one then all of the goodwill from their 7-2 start is going to evaporate. But hey, if anyone knows how to blow a lead, it’s Dan Quinn.

Philadelphia is in the game of the week with a short road trip to Baltimore. It will be the first time that Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson have faced each other in the NFL; Hurts was still Carson Wentz’s backup the last time the Eagles and Ravens met in 2020. This one will be a fascinating clash, both with the mobile QBs and the RB duel between Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley.