And then there was one.
Coming into the third week of the NFL season, three NFC East teams were undefeated. Now only one remains.
The Redskins got stampeded by Buffalo at home Sunday morning. The Cowboys simply didn’t show up to play in Arizona.
The Eagles took full advantage by going on the road and beating Tampa Bay on Monday night.
The Giants slipped further behind with a loss at San Francisco and are in last place alone at 1-2.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys got a rude wake-up call in the desert on Sunday. The Cowboys’ defense came out flat in the first half and let the Cardinals pile up 21 points.
So much for that five points a game average. The offense also struggled scoring only 10 first-half points.
While the defense came out and shut down Arizona for most of the second half, the offense continued to misfire in the redzone.
Dallas settled for two field goals, an interception an a failed fourth down try in the 28-16 loss after driving deep into Arizona territory.
Penalties also plagued the team. The Cowboys were flagged 13 times for 107 yards.
Several flags came courtesy of false starts and holding on the offensive line.
Playing without three starters, the line also allowed two sacks and Prescott was often hurried.
Tony Pollard did have a solid game, gaining 122 yards on 23 carries.
Rico Dowdle scored his first NFL touchdown. Hunter Luepke caught his first NFL pass (12 yards) and recorded his first NFL run (nine yards).
The Cowboys will host the Patriots on Sunday in Ezekiel Elliott’s return to Dallas.
Dallas is 8-6 all-time against New England. The Cowboys are 4-2 at home against the Patriots.
New England has won the last two games played in Texas. Dallas won the last meeting between the teams in New England in 2021.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Buccaneers kept it close for a while but simply could not keep pace with the Eagles.
The 25-11 win on Monday night pushed Philadelphia into sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
Jalen Hurts scored a touchdown on the “tush push” play on 4th-and-goal. He also threw a touchdown and two interceptions.
The Eagles will host the Commanders on Sunday.
An Eagles win and a Dallas loss and Philadelphia hits the quarter pole with a two-game lead.
A Commanders’ win and a Dallas win and we’re right back into a three-way tie for first. Neither Dallas nor Washington can afford to lose on Sunday.
Washington Commanders
One week after leading the Commanders to a come-from-behind win against Denver, Washington quarterback Sam Howell had a nightmare game.
Howell tossed four interceptions — including one returned for a Bills’ touchdown — in a 37-3 loss to Buffalo at home on Sunday.
Josh Allen was 20-of-32 for 218 yards and James Cook had 98 yards on 15 carries to lead Buffalo.
Washington only avoided being shut out with a meaningless 51-yard field goal in the final minute of the game.
The Commanders will travel to Philadelphia on Sunday.
New York Giants
The Giants have taken up residence in the NFC East’s cellar. Barring a miracle, they’ll likely be there for some time.
After playing the 49ers to a 3-3 draw in the opening quarter on Thursday night the Giants got run over in a 30-13 loss.
New York is clearly not the same team without Saquon Barkley — out with a high ankle sprain — in the lineup.
After leading the Giants to an epic comeback last week against the Cardinals, Daniel Jones looked ordinary. Jones was 22-for-32 for 137 yards.
The loss dropped the Giants to 1-2, ensuring they will remain in last place in the NFC East at least through next week.
The Giants host the Seahawks on Monday night in their next game.