It was a crazy week in the NFL’s second week of the 2024 season. It may take a few days to find a proper description for the NFC East’s second week of play.
The Dallas Cowboys came into the week looking for a 2-0 start and got run out of their own building.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a chance to also go 2-0 and take early command of the division. They found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory instead.
The New York Giants got one of the better games from Daniel Jones in about a year.
They lost to a team that couldn’t score a touchdown.
The Washington Commanders couldn’t find the endzone. But kicked their way to victory instead – being the only team in the division to win in the second week.
Nope, crazy doesn’t quite cover it, does it?
I know I picked Dallas to go 8-9 this year. Who knew that an 8-9 finish might win the division in January?
Dallas Cowboys (1-1)
The Cowboys were looking to put pressure on the Eagles with a home-opening win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
The Saints had other plans. They also had a quarterback leading touchdown drives instead of field goal drives.
New Orleans also had a running game and a defense that showed up – at least a little better than Dallas’ did.
That’s how you end up on the wrong end of a 44-19 beatdown. It’s also how you end up 1-1 to start the season.
The Cowboys are going to be a Jekyll and Hyde team this year.
They do not have a running game. The decision to skip drafting a running back in the second round to take an edge rusher they didn’t need came back to haunt them on Sunday.
The aforementioned edge rusher, Marshawn Kneeland, failed to register a single stat in Sunday’s loss for those keeping score.
Rico Dowdle had 30 yards on seven carries to lead Dallas’ rushing ‘attack’. Derrick Henry, the free agent Dallas Jerry Jones couldn’t be bothered to call, merely rushed for 84 yards and two touchdowns on Sunday for Baltimore.
Just think how motivated he’ll be next week when the Ravens come to town…
Next Game: vs. Baltimore Ravens (0-2), Sunday, 3:25 p.m.
New York Giants (0-2)
How bad are the Giants this year?
Their beleaguered quarterback throws for two touchdowns without an interception, their running back adds a touchdown and nearly rushes for 100 yards, and the defense kept the opponent out of the end zone.
And they still lost the game. By allowing seven field goals in a 21-18 loss to the Washington Commanders.
Ouch.
It didn’t help that they lost their kicker to injury, forcing them to go for two on their last two touchdowns after their punter missed the PAT on the first score.
Next Game: at Cleveland Browns (1-1), Sunday, Noon.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
The Eagles had a chance to go to 2-0 and take sole possession of the division lead on Monday night.
Somehow, they lost 22-21 to the Atlanta Falcons despite apparently having the game wrapped up in the final two minutes.
Philadelphia passed up an easy field goal earlier in the game. They compounded their error by throwing a pass on third down with 1:47 to go.
The pass fell incomplete and the Eagles kicked a field goal for a 21-15 lead instead.
With no timeouts, Kirk Cousins led Atlanta 70 yards on six plays in 65 seconds for the go-ahead score.
Jalen Hurts was picked off trying to get Philadelphia into field goal range in the final 30 seconds of the game.
Next Game: at New Orleans (2-0), Sunday, Noon.
Washington Commanders (1-1)
It was an ugly win for sure, but the Commanders certainly got a kick out of it.
Seven of them to be exact. The Commanders got seven field goals from Austin Seibert – all but one inside of 33 yards – for a 21-18 win over the Giants on Sunday.
Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was an efficient 23-of-29 passing for 226 yards.
While he could not find the endzone, he did lead the team on seven scoring drives.
Next Game: at Cincinnati Bengals (0-2), Monday, 7:15 p.m.