The race for the NFC East division champion has officially begun. Buckle up, it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride.
It also looks like it’s going to be a two-horse race.
The Cowboys trounced the Cleveland Browns – mostly due to their defense showing up, while the Browns’ vaunted defense looked like a shell of its past self.
The Eagles went down to Brazil and came back with a win. They also came back with some questions regarding its own defense.
The Commanders have questions on both sides of the ball – this despite having the reigning Heisman trophy winner at quarterback.
The Giants have no questions at all. They stink.
What New York needs is answers.
Although those answers all seem to be the same. There needs to be a lot of new faces at Giants Stadium come 2025 – on and off the sidelines.
Cowboys Cooks Up Some Browns
Dak Prescott tossed a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks for an early lead and the defense made it count.
While Mike Zimmer’s defensive unit terrorized DeShaun Watson for most of the game, Prescott and the offense played mostly mistake-free football.
KaVontae Turpin returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown, Ezekiel Elliott scored the other touchdown and Brandon Aubrey kept making every kick.
Aubrey tied Justin Tucker’s record for longest field goal at 66 yards, only to have the kick wiped off the board by a penalty.
It looked like Mike McCarthy was going to allow Aubrey a shot at a 71-yarder. But after a Browns’ timeout, McCarthy changed his mind and punted.
Still, it was a great start to the season.
Next Opponent: vs. New Orleans Saints on Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
Eagles Slip By Packers
Remember Saquon Barkley? That old and busted running back certain Cowboys fans – and apparently the front office – didn’t want to sign?
All he did on Friday was rush for 109 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
He also added a touchdown on two receptions for 23 yards.
Old and busted. Clearly washed.
The Eagles thought otherwise and used Barkley’s efforts to edge Green Bay 34-29 in a game played in Brazil.
Jalen Hurts finished 20-for-34 for 278 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. A.J. Brown added 119 yards and a score on five catches.
In short, Kellen Moore’s offense looked decent, despite three turnovers.
The Eagles defense did enough to secure the win. But they look vulnerable.
It’s just the first week, so a 1-0 start doesn’t make for a divisional title.
But it was a much better start than the Giants got off to on Sunday.
Next Opponent: vs. Atlanta Falcons on Monday at Philadelphia.
Giants’ Nightmare Start
Last year the New York Giants got crushed 40-0 by the Cowboys to start the season.
At least this year they managed to score some points. That isn’t much of an improvement.
The Giants fell flat again in a 28-6 loss at home to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Daniel Jones threw two interceptions – including a Pick Six to Andrew Van Ginkel at the Giants’ own 10-yard line – and settled for 186 yards on 22-of-42 passing.
It is the second straight season Jones has thrown a Pick Six in the season opener. DaRon Bland was the beneficiary last year in the Cowboys 40-0 win.
Odds are, both Jones and Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll are gone after this season ends.
There’s an outside chance one or both may be gone before the season ends if they keep playing like this.
Next Opponent: at Washington Commanders on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Spoils Daniels’ Debut
Jayden Daniels didn’t get the career-opening win he was looking for.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rolled to 37-20 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday.
But Daniels did put up some decent numbers. He was 17-of-24 for 184 yards.
Daniels did not throw a touchdown pass, but he also didn’t throw an interception.
But he did have three fumbles. The only saving grace was that Washington recovered all three.
Daniels did have 88 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries.
The good news for Daniels is that he faces the Giants next week. They might make him look like a Super Bowl MVP the way they’ve been playing.