For the last two decades, the NFC East had not done something that all of the NFL’s other seven divisions had. Have a team win consecutive division championships.
The last time an NFC East team defended its crown had been all the way back to the 2004 season.
The Philadelphia Eagles won four straight titles from 2001 through 2004.
For the next two decades, none of the four teams could defend their title. During that streak, the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys each won seven divisional titles.
The New York Giants and Washington Redskins/Football Team/Commanders each won the division three times.
Saturday evening, in D.C., the Eagles finally ended that streak by winning the NFC East for the second straight year in a 29-18 win over Washington.
Now, the longest streak without a repeat champion falls to the NFC West. The 49ers repeated as champions in 2023 but failed to defend it in 2024.
All of the other six divisions had repeat champions in 2024.
The Detroit Lions (NFC North), Tampa Bay Bucs (NFC South), Buffalo Bills (AFC East), Baltimore Ravens (AFC North), Houston Texans (AFC South), and Kansas City Chiefs (AFC West) all defended their 2023 titles last year.
Only the Chiefs have been eliminated for repeating in 2025. The Rams have a shot at ending the NFC West’s drought but need help.
Here’s how the NFC East looks after 16 weeks.
Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1)
About the only thing the Cowboys can use for motivation after losing to the Chargers on Sunday is to try to avoid a second-straight losing season.
That hasn’t happened in Dallas since the Reign of Error days of Dave Campo and his three straight 5–11 seasons from 2000-02.
The best the Cowboys can hope for now is an 8-8-1 finish. Last year they finished 7-10.
Dallas needs at least one win on the road over the final two weeks to at least say they improved at all over last year.
The good news is they have the Commanders and Giants remaining. The Cowboys should be able to at least win one of those games.
Then again, they should have been able to beat the Cardinals and the Vikings too.
Next Game: at Washington, Thursday, Noon.
New York Giants (2-13)
One might begin to suspect that the only way the Giants could win a game would be to have the other team not show up.
That nearly happened over the weekend when the Vikings plane had to turn around and make an emergency landing on Saturday.
Unfortunately for New York, the Vikings were able to board a second plane. They arrived a little later than planned on Saturday night.
But arrive they did.
The Vikings then departed less than 24 hours later with a win, despite losing their starting quarterback.
Next week’s game for the Giants will be the No. 1 Draft Pick Bowl.
Right now, the Giants have the top pick in their grasp. A loss to the Raiders on Sunday will lock up that first pick in April.
Next Game: at Las Vegas, Sunday, 3:05 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5)
It wasn’t pretty. Their normally reliable place kicker, Jake Elliott, had the yanks.
The Commanders came out to play in the first half.
For just a brief moment, the Cowboys’ hopes for a miracle path to the playoffs was open.
Then reality hit. Saquon Barkley broke open a big run.
The Commanders just flat out broke.
One good thing to look forward to over the final two weeks presented itself late in the game.
That fight with 4:26 left that ended with three ejected players? That one was triggered by the Eagles going for a two-point conversion instead of the regular PAT.
But Philadelphia probably wasn’t trying to run up the score there.
Elliott had missed two field goals, a third was wiped off by a penalty, and he missed the next one too.
Who could blame the coaches for not trusting him after that. However, that should make the rematch up in Philadelphia in the season finale of some interest at least.
Next Game: at Buffalo, Sunday, 3:25 p.m.
Washington Commanders (4-11)
It’s just been a nightmare season for Washington.
They shut down their star quarterback with three weeks left. His backup couldn’t finish the game on Saturday after getting his passing hand stomped on.
His backup, Josh Johnson, looked lost.
There is no reason to bring Daniels back for the final two games, even if Marcus Mariota cannot go with his injured hand.
Johnson might end up the starter. Maybe Cam Newton can suit up to be his backup?
Hey, if Philip Rivers can get it done after a five-year layoff, right?
Next Game: vs. Dallas, Thursday, Noon.
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