By way of the primary seven weeks, the NFC East has supplied some leisure, good and unhealthy. The Philadelphia Eagles look to be able to be the primary group to repeat as division champion for the reason that 2003-04 Eagles.
Perhaps the Washington Commanders can say one thing about that. Perhaps the Dallas Cowboys can show an awesome offense overcomes every little thing. Perhaps the New York Giants have discovered one thing with their rookie quarterback and working again.
To date, each group however the Eagles has performed three division video games, so it is a good time to take the temperature of the NFC East race.
NFL Nation reporters Todd Archer (Dallas), John Keim (Washington), Tim McManus (Philadelphia) and Jordan Raanan (New York) provide their perception on the place issues stand.
1:06
Alex Smith: Eagles must ‘play with their foot on the gasoline’
Alex Smith and Damien Woody break down the Eagles forgoing a predictable offense plan and defeating the Vikings.
Philadelphia Eagles
Total document: 5-2
Convention document: 4-1
NFC East place: First
Purpose for hope: The defending champs nonetheless have arguably the very best roster in soccer, even with some offseason departures (DE Josh Sweat, DT Milton Williams, CB Isaiah Rodgers, and many others.) which have impacted final season’s No. 1 protection. The offense is breaking in a brand new playcaller in Kevin Patullo, and the group has underperformed relative to expectations and payroll. However the passing sport confirmed some critical indicators of life in opposition to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7 and confidence is starting to construct.
They sit at 5-2 regardless of a difficult opening schedule and a few nagging accidents to gamers reminiscent of DT Jalen Carter and G Landon Dickerson that took a toll on their usually dominant offensive and defensive traces. They is perhaps a bit extra susceptible however stay a critical contender within the NFC.
Greatest shock, good or unhealthy: There was sure to be some regression after Saquon Barkley rushed for two,476 yards within the common season and playoffs in 2024, setting a brand new NFL document. However the drop-off has been dramatic. He’s averaging 53 speeding yards per sport, down from 125, and is on tempo for below 900 yards for the season. A mixture of accidents alongside the entrance — Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens and OT Lane Johnson have all been banged up — and defenses keying much more on Barkley this 12 months have led to the downturn.
QB replace: Hurts is coming off of one in all his greatest performances as a professional, as he threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns in opposition to Minnesota and completed with an ideal 158.3 passer score. That was a much-needed exhibiting to ease the frustrations of receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown and take some strain off Barkley and the bottom sport. The passing assault ranked thirtieth within the league coming into that sport however seems to have turned the nook.
As a runner, Hurts is on tempo for profession lows in makes an attempt per sport (7.7), yards per try (3.4) and yards per sport (26.4) since taking up because the full-time starter in 2021. It is affordable to count on Patullo to name Hurts’ quantity on the bottom extra down the stretch.
Positional want for potential commerce? Cornerback. Edge is the opposite main candidate, however with Nolan Smith Jr. (triceps) prone to return after the bye and Brandon Graham popping out of retirement, there’s purpose to assume that group will be extra productive over the second half. There is not any identifiable resolution for CB2, nonetheless. Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo have not been capable of agency up the spot reverse Quinyon Mitchell, and Jakorian Bennett has been sidelined with a pectoral harm. Perhaps Bennett will provide some aid when wholesome, however common supervisor Howie Roseman is not one to financial institution on hope.
2:30
Are the Cowboys one commerce away from being Tremendous Bowl contenders?
Domonique Foxworth, Peter Schrager, Jeff Saturday and Kimberley A. Martin talk about if the Cowboys buying and selling for a star defensive participant could make them Tremendous Bowl contenders.
Dallas Cowboys
Total document: 3-3-1
Convention document: 2-3-1
NFC East place: Second
Purpose for hope: The offense. It may well assault in several methods. Working again Javonte Williams has been Dallas’ greatest free agent signing. He runs with energy however may also break lengthy runs. Quarterback Dak Prescott has been surgical. He has big-play receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. He can win beneath with tight finish Jake Ferguson. The road play has been a lot improved.
It is trendy to say the Cowboys want to attain 40 each week to win. That is perhaps a tad unrealistic, however they’re scoring 30 factors per week.
Greatest shock, good or unhealthy: The protection being final in yards and third to final in factors per sport. I wasn’t anticipating the protection to be some type of reincarnation of the Doomsday Protection of the late ’60s and early ’70s. I used to be anticipating it to be center of the street.
Let’s put it like this: Even when Micah Parsons had been nonetheless round, this protection possible nonetheless ranks within the 20s. Perhaps the Washington sport gives some confidence with the adjustments that had been applied (extra man protection, extra pressures). If the Cowboys will be common, then, with this offense, they is perhaps an element.
QB breakdown: Prescott is perhaps taking part in the very best of any quarterback within the league. I say “may” due to what Baker Mayfield has carried out and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 5-2 document. Prescott has the second-longest streak of a minimum of three landing passes and no interceptions with 4 video games in a row.
He has terrific weapons in Lamb, Pickens, Ferguson and Williams, however he has carried out it at instances with out 4 beginning offensive linemen and Lamb. Nearly as good as he was in 2023, when he was the runner-up for MVP, he’s taking part in higher now.
Positional want for potential commerce? Most would count on go rusher, given the Parsons commerce. However I am going linebacker, after briefly contemplating cornerback. The Cowboys have touted the 2 first-round picks they acquired within the Parsons commerce, however except they’re getting a surefire Professional Bowler again, then dealing a first-rounder must be off limits. The Cowboys haven’t gotten the play they anticipated from free agent additions Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Sanborn. However discovering a high-end linebacker will be expensive.
0:30
MNF Trailer: Commanders vs. Chiefs
Prepare for “Monday Night time Soccer” in Week 8, when the Commanders journey to tackle the Chiefs.
Washington Commanders
Total document: 3-4
Convention document: 1-4
NFC East place: Third
Purpose for hope: They nonetheless have quarterback Jayden Daniels. As punter Tress Approach mentioned earlier this season, with him on their aspect they all the time have an opportunity. However extra on him beneath.
A giant a part of Washington’s hope rests upon the return of a number of gamers on offense who could make a distinction, notably receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel. McLaurin has been a nonfactor, having missed 4 consecutive video games with a proper quad harm. However he has been a key a part of Washington’s offense since coming into the NFL in 2019, with 5 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
The passing assault has been inconsistent, however having McLaurin and Samuel, who missed the Week 7 loss at Dallas with a bruised heel, may assist offset a woeful protection and provides the group life down the stretch.
Greatest shock, good or unhealthy: How unhealthy the protection has been. Sure there have been some accidents — each beginning defensive ends at the moment are carried out for the season and powerful security Will Harris is on injured reserve with a fractured fibula, although he may return this season. Nevertheless, the group has not performed with any stage of consistency and good offenses frequently damage them. If it isn’t missed tackles, it is miscommunication in protection or poor run matches or just getting beat down the sector.
The Commanders rank twenty first in scoring and twenty seventh in yards — over the previous 4 weeks they’re twenty eighth and twenty ninth, respectively. Solely Miami has allowed extra performs of 15 yards or extra this season.
QB breakdown: Daniels has not had the season he or the group hoped, however it’s because of accidents and lacking key assist in the passing sport, not from any so-called sophomore droop. Not solely has McLaurin missed 4 video games, however because of his holdout/hold-in that brought on him to overlook all of coaching camp, he and Daniels began the season out of sync.
Their third-best receiver, Noah Brown, missed 4 video games with a groin harm earlier than lastly being positioned on injured reserve, and third-down again Austin Ekeler tore his Achilles in Week 2 and likewise is finished.
Daniels missed two video games with a knee harm after which damage his hamstring in Week 7 vs. Dallas, which can sideline him in opposition to the Chiefs on Monday evening. His completion proportion in comparison with final 12 months is down (from 69% to 61%); he is thrown for 1,031 yards, eight touchdowns and a decide, whereas speeding for 211 yards and one other rating. His tempo is corresponding to final 12 months’s, however he has additionally spent the season throwing largely to backup receivers, so the dynamic influence is completely different.
Positional want for potential commerce? Oh, man. Due to accidents, the Commanders want quite a lot of assist, however they ought to be getting key gamers again on offense. In any other case, I might say receiver. They want assist in the secondary as nicely, somebody who could make performs. However they simply misplaced their third defensive finish for the season, together with each starters (Deatrich Smart Jr., and Dorance Armstrong, who led them in sacks). The place has been depleted.
Out of necessity they want extra assist up entrance — can or not it’s two trades? In addition to, they’ve solely two ends below contract for subsequent season, so in the event that they added a high quality starter signed by means of 2026, that might additionally get rid of an offseason want.
1:04
Ought to Brian Daboll return as Giants coach subsequent season?
Jeff Saturday weighs in on whether or not Brian Daboll must be the Giants’ coach subsequent season after their loss to the Broncos.
New York Giants
Total document: 2-5
Convention document: 1-3
NFC East place: Fourth
Purpose for hope: Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo. The rookie quarterback and working again have modified the texture of the Giants. They’ve introduced juice, power and youthful exuberance. They even helped them snap an eight-game skid within the division after they led New York to a win over the Eagles two weeks in the past on Thursday evening.
New York is so again in play within the NFC East that exterior linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux mentioned afterward, “F— the Eagles!” Ah, to be related once more. Or a minimum of aggressive. Most significantly for the Giants, Dart appears like he will be a high-end NFL quarterback. That offers them an opportunity to win some video games now and be an element sooner or later.
Greatest shock, good or unhealthy: Brian Burns. Everybody is aware of he is participant. The standout edge rusher, whom the Giants traded for final 12 months, has a minimum of 7.5 sacks in every of his first seven skilled seasons. However Burns has taken his sport to the following stage. He is presently tied for the NFL lead with 9 sacks, is first with 12 tackles for a loss, tied for fifth with 13 QB hits and high 20 amongst edge rushers in go rush win price (19%) and strain proportion (11.6%). He is taking part in at a Defensive Participant of the 12 months stage.
QB breakdown: Dart has been the starter for 4 video games and accounted for 10 touchdowns (seven passing, three speeding). The Giants are averaging 25.5 factors with him because the starter after being thirty first in factors per sport every of the earlier two seasons. So clearly there was a distinction. Even in a hostile street surroundings reminiscent of Denver, Dart “made quite a lot of good performs for us,” in response to coach Brian Daboll.
Backside line, this offense is now, on the very least, harmful with Dart behind middle. The primary-round decide has an opportunity to be a extremely good participant if he retains creating.
Positional want for potential commerce? That is straightforward: large receiver. The Giants have already been linked to Miami’s Jaylen Waddle. There’s curiosity there, in response to sources. The largest downside is that the Dolphins aren’t motivated to maneuver him for the time being. New Orleans’ Chris Olave and Las Vegas’ Jakobi Meyers are another names which have been talked about. Nonetheless, extra possible, the Giants will add a lower-end veteran and maintain on to that future draft capital despite the fact that star large receiver Malik Nabers is out for the season with a torn left ACL.