As good as the Cowboys’ Monday night win felt, a look at the NFC East standings throws cold water on things. The Eagles have improved to 8-2 on a four-game win streak, most recently against top competition in the Lions and Packers. Even with seven games to go, including this Sunday’s head-to-head, Dallas may not have enough road left to catch up to the defending champs.
While they haven’t been pretty wins, Philly has just outlasted two of the best teams in the NFC. They still have some quality opponents coming in the Bears, Bills, and Chargers, but the Eagles’ ascending defense and versatile offense make them very hard to beat.
Of course, they haven’t clinched the division yet. Dallas still has the potential to finish 11-5-1, just as Philly could somehow wind up 8-9. That leaves a little cushion over the next seven weeks, but not much. And it certainly puts incredible pressure on the Cowboys to hold their ground this Sunday in their rematch with the Eagles.
Here are the NFC East standings going into Week 12:
- Philadelphia Eagles 8-2 (2-1 in division, 7-1 vs NFC)
- Dallas Cowboys 4-5-1 (2-1, 2-4-1)
- Washington Commanders 3-8 (1-1, 1-6)
- New York Giants 2-9 (1-3, 1-7)
If Dallas can pull it off this week, they’ll need to make up three more wins somehow down the stretch. But the Cowboys have an arguably tougher remaining schedule, facing the Chiefs, Lions, and Chargers in three of their next four games. Thankfully, only the Detroit game is on the road. But Dallas may have to go nearly perfect over these last two months to steal the division.
At this point, if the Cowboys can make the playoffs at all, it will likely be as a wild card team. But until it’s truly off the table, we’ll keep tracking the NFC East race.
The Commanders and Giants appear focused on the future now. Washington’s off this week while the Giants travel to Detroit, a game Dallas would very much like to see them win. The 6-4 Lions are one of the teams currently standing between the Cowboys and a playoff spot.
As they should be, all eyes will be on Dallas and Philadelphia this Sunday. Can the Cowboys keep the hope train running, or will the Eagles derail it?
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