Week 5 was very kind to the Cowboys, giving them their 4th-straight victory of 2021 and building a two-game lead in the NFC East. The road to a division title could be paved a little further in Week 6 with a schedule that seems to favor Dallas.
Yesterday's victory over the New York Giants also gave Dallas it's second division victory. While overall record may be enough to secure the NFC East in 2021, it's always good to keep an eye on those tiebreakers as we move through the season.
The Cowboys' separation from the pack came thanks to Washington's home loss to the Saints. QB Taylor Heinicke threw two picks and that defense everyone thought would be so dominate gave up 33 points to New Orleans.
It wasn't a perfect Sunday for Dallas; the Eagles got their second win of the year in a road upset of the Carolina Panthers. A blocked punt late in the game gave Philadelphia a short field and the winning touchdown. Three picks thrown by Panthers QB Sam Darnold also helped hand Philly the victory.
NFC East Standings
(Division Record in parentheses)
- Dallas Cowboys 4-1 (2-0)
- Washington Football Team 2-3 (1-0)
- Philadelphia Eagles 2-3 (0-1)
- New York Giants 1-4 (0-2)
Things are only going to get tougher for our division rivals in Week 6. It's starts this Thursday night; the Eagles have a short week to prepare for Tom Brady and the Bucs coming to town.
Next Sunday, Washington will host an angry Kansas City Chiefs team coming off last night's loss to Buffalo. And the Giants, who could be missing several key offensive players, will be catching the 4-1 Los Angeles Rams at an awful time.
The Cowboys will be only team from the division playing on the road, but it will be against the 2-3 New England Patriots. So far this year the Pats are winless at home and have only been able to get victories against two of the league's worst teams in the Jets and Texans.
The term “on paper” is a dangerous one in the NFL, but clearly the schedule and standings speak to another Separation Sunday for the Cowboys this week. If things go as projected, Dallas will be taking incredible momentum and a cushy division lead into their bye week.
