NASCAR icon Ricky Bobby once said, “If you’re not first, you’re last.” An NFL division race can feel that way sometimes, but there are worse things than second place. That’s where the Dallas Cowboys find themselves after Week 7, thanks to a big win over the Washington Commanders.
Washington will have to wait until the Christmas Day game to get their revenge, and will hope that having a few more healthy receivers will help turn the tide. By that point, Week 17, the potential impact of that game should be very clear. But Dallas should have some of its own weapons back by then too, particularly on defense. Both teams feel like their seasons could go in a lot of directions right now, so we’ll see just how crucial that game feels two months from now.
A look at the standings, particularly the Eagles’ now 5-2 record, can take some of the joy out of Dallas’ victory. Philadelphia benefitted from facing Carson Wentz, who you just know was in his ever-unreliable head, as they picked up a significant road win in Minnesota. Philly is hardly a juggernaut this year, and Dallas still has a chance to gain ground with the rematch in Week 12. But they can afford few, if any, missteps along the way.
The Giants found an epic way to make sure they stayed in the NFC East basement, allowing a historic comeback by the Broncos for their fifth loss. There’s still a lot of positive momentum behind Jaxon Dart’s move into the starting lineup and Cam Skattebo’s breakout, but New York’s fall on Sunday may have been a back-breaker to their season.
After seven weeks, here’s how the NFC East stacks up:
- Philadelphia Eagles 5-2 (1-1 in division, 4-1 vs NFC)
- Dallas Cowboys 3-3-1 (2-1, 2-3-1)
- Washington Commanders 3-4 (1-1, 1-4)
- New York Giants 2-5 (1-2, 1-3)
To keep things moving in the right direction, Dallas will now have to do what the Giants couldn’t by corralling the 5-2 Broncos. The Cowboys’ offense has become a monster, even for Denver’s defense, but the story will be how Dallas’ own defense handles a road game against a better-equipped offense than the one they faced on Sunday. At the very least, in that thin Mile High air, Brandon Aubrey might be able to get you three points from anywhere on the field.
Things could go from bad to worse for Washington on Monday night, traveling to meet the resurgent Chiefs. Kansas City has won four of their last five, clawing their way back into AFC contention, and now have WR Rashee Rice back in the mix. After what CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were able to do last week, Dan Quinn’s crew has a tough assignment ahead.
While watching the Giants suffer is fun, we’d love for them to have a better time this Sunday in Philadelphia. You know the Eagles are hungry to make up for the upset loss a couple of weeks ago, so this one might not be pretty. But if New York can play four full quarters like they did against Denver, the most surprising sweep of 2025 isn’t inconceivable.
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