The top of the NFC East once again held serve in Week 5, although with the Philadelphia Eagles losing for the first time, the gaps are narrowing in the standings. Could we see a tie at the top after Week 6? Where do the Dallas Cowboys stack up in the division? Let’s take a look.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1)
You can only play with fire so many times before you get burned, a lesson that Philly finally learned the hard way in a 21-17 loss in which they blew a 14 point fourth quarter lead. Perhaps this loss will force the Eagles to face some concerning issues that have plagued them all season.
Saquon Barkley was once again severely limited, recording only 30 yards and a miniscule six carries. Yes, he had a fantastic 47 yard touchdown reception, but his struggles on the ground have reached a nadir that no one anticipated going into the season.
Adding to the disappointing day was Jalen Hurts getting sacked six times. The season high total is a concern in itself, but it also continued the season opening streak of surrendering at least one sack in five straight games.
The Eagles either can’t or won’t run Saquon, and they’re struggling to protect their QB in the pocket. Yes, they’re still 4-1, but suddenly they don’t seem as inevitable as some thought.
2. Washington Commanders (3-2)
Jayden Daniels made a triumphant return as Washington pulled away from the Los Angeles Chargers in a 27-10 win. Both sides of the ball were impressive, as the offense hung 27 on what had been a top five defense going into the week, while the defense limited an explosive to a season low in points.
That latter part is especially head turning. Yes, the offense was never in doubt this season, especially with Daniels’ return imminent. But starting in Week 2, the defense had given up 27, 24, and 27 points.
With that side of the ball stepping up, the Commanders put together their most complete performance of the season, giving credence to the thought that the division isn’t totally out of reach.
3. Dallas Cowboys (2-2-1)
Speaking of complete performances, how about them Cowboys? Long had Dallas fans dreamt of what could happen if the defense was at least competent and, on Sunday, those dreams came true.
In a 37-22 win that wasn’t even that close, the defense showed that they have the capacity to dominate bad teams. While that may sound obvious, it was something they struggled with to start the season.
On the offensive side of things, it was interesting to see the Cowboys put up five touchdowns on a day where, based on the eye test, Dak was merely very good as opposed to his planet destroying self he’d been all season. If the defense can be even a below average group as opposed to the sieve-like unit they’d been the first month, the Cowboys might just have a chance to make things interesting in December.
4. New York Giants (1-4)
QB development isn’t ever linear, something Giants fans have grown uncomfortably familiar with over the better part of the last decade. Jaxson Dart is no different as, for as impressive as he can be at times, he’s been equally maddening.
The Giants committed turnovers on five straight drives, three of which Dart himself was responsible for. Still, he threw for two touchdowns while going over 200 passing yards and throwing in another 55 on the ground. As long as the good is still there, the Giants can live with the bad as he continues to learn.
Defensively, the 87-yard touchdown catch surrendered to Rashid Shaheed and zero sacks are concerning and will need to be improved upon. But, it’s hard to be too harsh on them when their offense committed so many turnovers.
Hopefully, a more normalized game will be played next week, allowing us to get a better handle on just where the Giants are as a team.
Big Picture
The Eagles went from heavy favorites to unsettled leaders in one week with their loss. With Jayden Daniels returning and the Cowboys’ defense potentially turning a corner, things could get interesting quickly. As for the Giants, well, at least Dart is fun to watch.