As the chase for the NFC East division title nears the halfway mark, two teams are starting to separate themselves.
Sadly, neither of them are the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas is now two games in the loss column behind both the Eagles and the Commanders.
Washington pulled off a miracle win on Sunday on the last play of the game.
The Eagles are getting healthy on offense and will keep the heat on Dan Quinn’s team the rest of the way.
In the meantime, the Cowboys are likely only going to stay out of last place in the division thanks to the Giants.
Here’s how the eighth week of the season played out in the NFC East:
DALLAS COWBOYS (3-4)
It isn’t time to panic, yet, but after Sunday night’s 30-24 loss to San Francisco, it may be time to be deeply concerned.
Yes, Dallas is just 3-4 and could still get hot and make a run. Yes, Sydney Sweeney could also call me up and ask me to be her new boy toy.
Both are statistically possible. Neither of those events are even remotely likely to occur.
Although the Sweeney scenario is more likely by a few percentage points.
Dallas played a nearly flawless first half, aside from Dak Prescott’s ill-advised heave it up and pray pass that was picked off. They still only led by four points at the break.
Then they took the third quarter off, got the brakes beat off of them, and came up short in a furious end of the game rally.
Just like they did against the Ravens earlier this year. It also resembled the loss to the Packers in January too.
Dallas is just not a good enough team to get behind every week and expect to win.
They were lucky they pulled it off against the Steelers a few weeks back.
The next four games on their schedule are filled with teams with a combined 22-9 record – and none of them have a losing record as of this week.
In other words, these are four teams Dallas cannot afford to get behind by three scores. Otherwise, that 3-4 record will be 3-8 and its season over.
Next game: at Atlanta, Sunday, Noon.
NEW YORK GIANTS (2-6)
The first half of the Giants’ Monday Night loss at the Steelers can be described in two ways.
It was a great defensive struggle. Or, it was a snooze fest with two bad offenses.
Then again, maybe both are true.
Because the first touchdown that actually counted wasn’t scored until 10 minutes into the third quarter. And that came on a punt return by the Steelers.
This after three touchdowns were taken off the board in the first half of a 9-9 halftime tie. Two were by penalty and the other overturned by replay assist.
The Steelers took over the game in the second half and held off a late Giants’ surge to secure the victory.
Daniel Jones and the Giants are just not a good team. Nor does it appear that they have what it takes to turn things around this year.
Next game: hosting Washington, Sunday, Noon.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (5-2)
The Eagles have played seven games so far this year. They have yet to score even a single point in the first quarter of any of those games.
And yet, here they are at 5-2.
Don’t look at me, I can’t explain it either.
Philadelphia made up for their lack of scoring in the opening quarter in a big way.
The Eagles rolled up 37 points in the final three quarters on the way to a 37-17 win. That helped them keep pace with Washington for the division lead while picking up a full game on Dallas.
Jalen Hurts scored three rushing touchdowns in the Eagles’ runaway win over the Bengals on Sunday. Two coming on the Tush Push, which really needs to be outlawed by the NFL after this year.
Hurts is clearly benefiting from the return of his favorite two targets, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, from injury.
The Eagles offense sputtered badly with them out of the lineup.
The last two games they are averaging 37.5 points in two blowout victories. Which makes the Eagles a scary team in the second half of the season.
Next game: hosting Jacksonville, Sunday, 3:05 p.m.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (6-2)
I saw it live and, nearly two days later, I’m still not sure if I believe what I saw.
Jayden Daniels’ amazing Hail Mary touchdown pass to Noah Brown is clearly the best play of the year — so far. It also kept the Commanders alone at the top of the division standings as we near the halfway point of the season.
Washington is having the kind of season that usually ends with a deep playoff run.
Especially if they navigate the second half of their schedule with two games each against the Eagles and Cowboys and remain in first place.
The schedule ahead is a lot tougher for the Commanders so they are about to be tested.
Still, I’d rather be 6-2 with a defense that is playing very good and a Heisman Trophy quarterback making game-winning plays, than 3-4 and wondering if even a wild card is even possible.
Are we sure we shouldn’t have let McCarthy go and kept Quinn in Dallas? I’m not so sure we shouldn’t have myself.
Next game: at the New York Giants, Sunday, Noon.