The Cowboys broke open a close game in the span of 10 seconds on Sunday. The Eagles survived their Super Bowl rematch with the Chiefs on Monday night.
Combined, both Dallas and Philadelphia are putting a lot of distance between themselves and their NFC East rivals.
The Eagles’ 21-17 win keeps them two games ahead of Dallas in the race for the division title with seven games to play.
The Cowboys and Philadelphia will likely slug it out for the division until the final week. The Giants and Commanders?
Right now they’re slugging it out to see who finishes dead last.
Just how bad is it getting for the Giants and Commanders? After Sunday’s game the two teams got to enjoy a nice cold shower.
According to a Commander’s team official there was a failure in the hot water system that would not allow hot water to the locker rooms.
The only way to fix it would have required turning off the water to the entire FedEx stadium.
A nice cold shower after a mid-November game just puts the cherry on top of the old parfait, doesn’t it?
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys let the Panthers hang around for three quarters on Sunday. It took just 72 seconds of the fourth quarter to put the game away.
Tony Pollard’s 21-yard romp to the endzone for a 24-10 lead was nice to see.
DaRon Bland’s fourth Pick Six of the year on the very next offensive snap of the game was even nicer.
Bland’s interception, Donovan Wilson’s fumble recovery, and seven sacks led a solid defensive effort by the Cowboys.
Micah Parsons was credited with 2.5 sacks and three of the unit’s 11 quarterback hits. He also had two of the team’s six tackles for a loss.
The offense wasn’t flashy, taking what the defense was giving them. Dak Prescott threw two touchdowns and was 25-of-38 for 189 yards.
Pollard finished with 61 yards and the touchdown on 12 carries. Brandin Cooks was the leading receiver with 42 yards on three catches.
CeeDee Lamb’s streak of 10-catch, 150-yard games came to an end.
Lamb had six catches for just 38 yards, but added a touchdown. Luke Schoonmaker hauled in an 18-yard touchdown.
The only blemishes were Brandon Aubrey missing one of his four extra point tries and Sam Williams drawing a running into the kicker penalty.
The error extended the Panthers’ drive that ultimately ended in their only touchdown.
The Cowboys (7-3) host the reeling Washington Commanders (4-7) on Thursday afternoon in their annual Thanksgiving Day game.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles continue to catch every break this year, as the Chiefs literally fumbled away a victory to Philadelphia.
Travis Kelce’s fumble in the red zone took away at least three points. Where was Taylor Swift when we needed her most?
Marquez Valdes-Scantling had the game-winning touchdown in his hands in the final two minutes and let the ball bounce out of his hands.
To their credit, Philadelphia keeps finding ways to win games. But sooner or later, one wonders if their luck is going to run out.
The Eagles (9-1) host the Bills (6-5) on Sunday afternoon.
They still have games against the 49ers, Cowboys, and Seahawks looming ahead.
Washington Commanders
If Washington’s Head Coach, Ron Rivera, and Defensive Coordinator, Jack Del Rio, are still employed by the time the team arrives in Dallas it will be a miracle.
After an ugly 31-19 loss to the Giants on Sunday, the only thing that might spare them is the short week.
It would be very hard to can them and ask their replacements to have the team ready in less than three days.
But should the Commanders fall to Dallas on Thursday and drop to 4-8 on the season?
With 10 days off until the next game against Miami? Both coaches just might be toast.
New York Giants
The Giants improved to 3-8 with Sunday’s win over Washington. Two of those victories have come at the Commanders’ expense.
New York’s defense forced six turnovers – including three interceptions by Commanders’ quarterback Sam Howell.
Isaiah Simmons returned one of the interceptions 54 yards for a touchdown.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ rookie quarterback, Tommy DeVito, was playing like Eli Manning. DeVito was 18-of-26 for 246 yards and three touchdowns.
Daniel Jones would be out of a job in 2024 if New York could play Washington every week.
Saquon Barkley turned back the clock and had 83 yards on 14 carries. He added 57 yards on four catches and two touchdowns.
The Giants host the Patriots (2-8) on Sunday. Both teams are as far removed from their Super Bowl days as could be possible.