Eagles hold comfortable NFC East lead at midway point

The Eagles held on for dear life on Sunday and now enjoy a 2.5-game lead in the NFC East over Dallas.

The Commanders are 3.5 games back and the fading Giants are six full games behind pace.

Philadelphia still has a tough schedule ahead. But they can now afford a couple of losses over the second half of the season.

DALLAS COWBOYS

The Cowboys had a chance to tighten things up a lot on Sunday. They literally came up inches short and more than once at that.

If the playoffs were to start today, at 5-3 on the season, they would be in as a wildcard team.

But Dallas wants a division title and homefield. They’re going to need a lot of help now to get either.

At best, unless the Eagles completely collapse, the Cowboys can likely only afford one more loss over the next nine weeks.

With Miami, Buffalo, Seattle, Detroit and one more battle with the Eagles ahead, that will be a tall order.

Dallas is now 73-56 against the Eagles overall. The teams are tied at 31-31 in games played against each other in Philadelphia.

Dallas has now lost two in a row in Philadelphia. The two teams will meet at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 10th.

Up next for the Cowboys, a chance to whack a half-game off of the Eagles lead.

Philadelphia has a bye week and Dallas hosts the lowly Giants on Sunday.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

The Eagles improved to 8-1 and hold a 1.5-game lead over the Lions for the best record in the NFC.

They continue to find ways to win games they should lose. A lot of it is skill and daring.

A lot of it is pure luck.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts to his touchdown pass to Eagles’ A.J. Brown (11) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Sooner or later, luck runs out and turns on everyone.

The question that remains to be answered: When will it happen. The Eagles are hoping it carries through for the entire season.

But there’s a lot of games between now and Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

The Commanders appeared to go full fire sale last week at the trade deadline. So a win this week would have seemed unlikely.

Fortunately for Washington, the Patriots were next on their schedule.

The Patriots might be playing for the right to draft Caleb Williams in April – if it weren’t for the Cardinals pretty much ensuring they’ll pick first.

USC quarterback Caleb Williams.

Still, Washington will remain a dangerous team.

They nearly beat the Eagles twice this year. Dallas still has two games to play against the Commanders as well.

Washington travels to Seattle on Sunday for their next game.

NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants season started off with a shutout loss to the Cowboys. After suffering a 30-6 beatdown at the hands of the Raiders on Sunday, it has not improved.

New York has lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones for the year.

This after placing his backup, Tyrod Taylor, and tight end Darren Waller on IR last week.

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.

The Giants, at 2-7, will travel to AT&T Stadium looking more like the walking dead than an NFL team. That also may not improve after this Sunday.

The Commanders may be lining up for a huge change in the front office as well as the coaching staff for 2024.

The Giants may also be looking at big changes at the end of this season as well.