The Philadelphia Eagles bounced back, the New York Giants are never boring, and there was actually movement in the standings after the Dallas Cowboys doubled up the Washington Commanders. Let’s take a look at where the NFC East is after Week 7.

After back-to-back losses and a trip to London on tap, there was more than a little handwringing going on in Philly. Turns out, all it took for the team and fanbase to exhale was a quick jaunt across the Atlantic. 

By beating the Minnesota Vikings 28-22, the Eagles answered questions about their defense and passing game, as the team forced two turnovers while AJ Brown and Devonta Smith both eclipsed 120 yards while finding the endzone. 

There are still questions about Saquon Barkley, who recorded only 44 yards on 18 carries, and the team will be limited in the postseason if they can’t get him going. But for now, they’ll savor a victorious flight home as they prepare for a revenge game against the Giants in Week 8.

For the first time since starting these power rankings, the names of two teams in the header had to be switched as the Cowboys leapfrogged the Commanders after their 44-22 win. And while it wasn’t inconceivable that Dallas could win, few saw them doing so on the backs of their defense. 

Indeed, the Cowboys not only tied a season-best in points allowed against Washington, but they also they also got six points from that side of the ball via a DaRon Bland pick-six. If the defense has truly taken a step forward, the floor and ceiling may both be enough for a postseason birth. 

Not to be outdone, the offense saw Javonte Williams rebound to the tune of 116 yards while CeeDee Lamb posted his third game of 100+ yards in his return from injury. Complimentary football has been a rare sight in Dallas this year, but hopefully it’s here to stay after their performances in Weeks 5 and 7.

On the other side of the Cowboys win, we have the Commanders. There’s a lot to go over, but the most pressing concern is the injury to Jayden Daniels. While it sounds like he avoided anything serious, it’s disheartening to see the Washington offensive line once again struggle to protect their second-year savior. 

He of course had very little to work with when he was on the field though, as Deebo Samuel and Terry McLaurin both sat out, the fourth straight game that McLaurin has missed. Getting them back on the field with Daniels will be paramount to any sort of revival hopes that the team has. 

And finally, the defense continues to drag down any sort of hope that the offense provides. Yes, they recorded a safety, but they also surrendered 37 points if you don’t count Bland’s pick six. 

That’s the fifth time in their last six games that the team has surrendered at least 24 points, with the opposing offense putting up 34 or more twice in that stretch. If the defense can’t tighten up, it won’t matter who Washington trots out on offense, a sentiment that Cowboy fans can more than relate to. 

In my six years working in college football, every single head coach I worked for said the same thing: you never want to be bad, but the worst thing you can be is boring. Since inserting Jaxson Dart into the starting lineup, the Giants have taken that concept to heart. 

After blowing both 19-0 and 26-8 leads in the fourth quarter, and allowing the Denver Broncos to kick the game-winning field goal 38 seconds after scoring what looked like the game-saving touchdown, New York has exhibited the tell tale signs of a young but talented team: lots of points scored, exciting young skill players, and a defense that just doesn’t quite know how to finish. 

While these types of games are gut punches, they’re important growing pains as well, the kind that fans will look back on as the turning point in a group of players' careers as they’re enjoying contention years later with those same players at the helm. And maybe that’s the best part of this season: for the first time in years, they have a team that, despite youthful mistakes, they can plausibly envision contending with. 

While the Eagles bounced back, the movement below them is worth tracking -- if not for the division, then possible wild card scenarios. With that said, you can never say never in this sport. Until the division is officially clinched, Philadelphia can’t take their foot off the gas with the way Dallas has played two out of the last three weeks.