The NFC East was easily the worst division in football in 2020; Washington won it with a 7-9 record and the other three teams were all laughably bad. But things are looking up this year as the Cowboys have moved to 3-1 and the division produced three winners in Week 4.
Dallas knocked off the previously undefeated Carolina Panthers in commanding fashion, holding a 36-14 at one point before some garbage-time scores. Washington got a road victory in Atlanta while the Giants finally put one in the “W” column in an overtime victory over the Saints.
The Eagles were the only loser this week, dropping another deuce at home to Kansas City. Andy Reid’s homecoming in Philadelphia, completely overshadowed by the one happening in New England, went as you’d expect.
NFC East Standings
(Division Record in parentheses)
- Dallas Cowboys 3-1 (1-0)
- Washington Football Team 2-2 (1-0)
- Philadelphia Eagles 1-3 (0-1)
- New York Giants 1-3 (0-1)
Back to the winning teams. Were the three victories by Dallas, New York, and Washington that impressive?
The Panthers were undefeated before Sunday but did it against two of NFL’s worst teams, the Jets and Texans, and a Saints team that just lost at home to the Giants. Carolina’s definitely moving in the right direction under Matt Rhule but there was probably some fool’s gold in that 3-0 record.
The Falcons are another of those worst teams in 2021, making the fact that Washington needed a last-minute to beat them somewhat mitigating. Still, the Football Team is doing this with a backup QB and a road win is nice in any context.
New Orleans was 2-1 before meeting New York but has an identity crisis at the moment. Are they the team that blew out Green Bay 38-3 in the season opener and beat the Patriots in Week 3 or the guys that lost 26-7 to the Panthers and dropped a home game to the Giants?
Week 5 for the NFC East will be interesting as most of the aforementioned teams will be featured again. The Cowboys will host the Giants, Washington hosts the Saints, and the Eagles will fly south to play the Panthers.
Dallas definitely has the easiest matchup of the three; a great chance to create separation from the Football Team in the standings. Let’s hope they keep riding this momentum!
