The Cowboys enjoyed their bye in Week 7 while the rest of the NFC East was in action. Despite sitting out, Dallas still saw its division lead increase as Philadelphia and Washington both took losses yesterday.
The off week came at a great time for the Cowboys. Dak Prescott limped to the locker room following their OT victory over the Patriots and got the extra time to rest and rehab his strained calf. It also gave extra time to help get returning players like WR Michael Gallup, OT La’el Collins, and CB Kelvin Joseph better prepared for Sunday Night Football.
Even better, the rest of the division stayed true to form in Week 7. The Eagles and the Football Team were both outclassed in road losses to the Raiders and Packers, dropping them to 2-5 and giving Dallas another half-game in its division lead.
The Giants, who were in the basement at 1-5 prior to yesterday, were the only winner in a thorough handling of the Panthers. But this had more to do with Carolina’s implosion, losing their fourth straight, than anything overly impressive from New York.
NFC East Standings
(Division Record in parentheses)
- Dallas Cowboys 5-1 (2-0)
- Washington Football Team 2-5 (1-0)
- Philadelphia Eagles 2-5 (0-1)
- New York Giants 2-5 (0-2)
Week 8 features some easier games for the Cowboys’ rivals and perhaps one of the tougher matchups left on Dallas’ schedule. Our heroes will travel to Minnesota on Sunday night, who may be 3-3 but have kept it close against some of the league’s best teams in their losses.
In their three defeats from the Bengals, Cardinals, and Browns, the Vikings have lost by a total of just 11 points. They took Cincy to OT in Week 1 and only lost by one point on a last-second field goal to still-undefeated Arizona.
The Eagles will also be on the road against an NFC North team this week, expect they draw the 0-7 Detroit Lions. But given how close the Lions have been in some of those losses, and Philly’s struggles all year, this could easily be when Detroit finally get one in the “W” column.
Washington travels to Denver with the Broncos on a four-game losing streak. Neither team has been impressive in 2021 but at least it’s a home game for Denver; hopefully that’s enough to swing it in their favor.
Next Monday night, the Giants will head down to Kansas City. It’s hard to believe the Chiefs are struggling this much so far in 2021; 3-4 and with Patrick Mahomes losing his mojo. Hopefully they unload all that frustration on Big Blue.
