It’s been 8 weeks into the NFL season and when every division is trying to compete for the playoffs and win the Lombardi Trophy, this one division is not.
This division has been one of the worst divisions in NFL history with all 4 teams with a losing record.
I assume you have guessed it, I am talking about the NFC East or should I say… the NFC Least.
As much as we don’t want to talk about this division, we are still intrigued to see who comes out of this division because they are basically a bye for the team facing them in the playoffs.
1. Philadelphia Eagles ( 2-4-1)
Through 8 weeks into the season Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz has not been playing his best football. So far his stats are not, throwing 10 passing touchdowns to 10 interceptions with 5 rushing touchdowns.
His completion percentage is 58.6% and has a QBR of 52.6. He certainly has regressed since his 2017 season.
However it’s not all Wentz’s fault that the Eagles have a 2-4-1 record. They have a decimated O-line with 4 of the 5 starters dealing with injury.
Wentz hasn’t had much help either, his best receiver being Travis Fulgham. Fulgham being a sixth-round pick drafted by the Lions and only playing 3 games for them before getting released. It also doesn’t help JJ Arcega-Whiteside being a bust of a 2nd round pick, Jalen Reagor the rookie being injured, and his two other receivers being unknowns in John Hightower and Greg Ward.
Even with all that being said, Carson needs to play better as the franchise quarterback. He signed a 4-year, $128 million contract. This year he is getting paid the 2nd most ($39 million) for a QB only behind Kirk Cousins ($40 million.)
The Eagles will go as high as Carson Wentz can take them and with this weak division… the chances of the Eagles winning the division is high.
Another thing that will help them is the win against the Giants on TNF which was a divisional game. With the upcoming Sunday Night Football Game coming up against the Cowboys. A win will be crucial.
Their upcoming schedule is Cowboys, Giants, Browns, Seahawks, Packers, Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys, Washington
If they just win against their divisional games, they win the NFC East.
2. Dallas Cowboys ( 2-5 )
The Dallas Cowboys are a complete mess. The new hire of Mike McCarthy and DC Mike Nolan hasn’t improved the team, but has regressed them.
The front office has not done a good job picking the right personnel for the team and not having agreed to a contract with their franchise QB Dak Prescott. It also sucks that QB Dak Prescott has been injured and is out for the season with a compound right ankle fracture and dislocation. This hurts the team going forward.
More recently, the team’s second-string QB Andy Dalton got hurt against Washington.
With a crucial game coming up against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football. The Cowboys now have to rely on their 3rd string QB Ben DiNucci.
On top of that, the Cowboys have a really bad defense as they rank last in the NFL. The defense has given up an average of 35 pts per game. This has caused them to play from behind and put more pressure on the quarterback then needed so.
The Cowboys are also dealing with injuries and their O-line is decimated with injuries. Injuries on the line include tight tackle La’el Collins with a hip injury, and 7x All-Pro Tyron Smith to a neck injury, Center Joe Looney for multiple weeks to a knee injury, 6x Pro Bowler Zach Martin to concussion, and backup left tackle Brandon Knight to knee injury. The once “Great Wall of Dallas” has fallen and the offense has suffered from it. One that’s suffered a lot has been, Ezekiel Elliot…
In order for the Cowboys to win the division, they must get better defensively. If they can get better defensively and win the turnover battle, this will give the offense some life and ability to run the ball which will in turn take pressure off the quarterbacks.
What also can’t hurt is being in the terrible NFC East, they have 4 crucial games left with inner-divison teams and need to win as many as they can to give themselves a chance.
3. Washington ( 2-5 )
The Washington Football Team have taken care of their business. They have won against the Eagles and Cowboys, but lost to the Giants.
They have a 2-1 record in their division. The only reason they lost against the Giants was because of coaches decision of going for a 2pt conversion instead of the extra point.
With new coach Ron Rivera coming from the Caroline Panthers, he has had a rocky start so far as some of his decisions have brought attention.
He benched 2nd year QB Dwayne Haskins for Kyle Allen. Who last year threw for 16 interceptions and fumbled 13 times for Carolina last season and believes that he gives a better chance to win than Dwayne Haskins.
Offensively they suck. Ranking 30th only behind the Giants and Jets. That is not good company to be in.
Defensively they are really good. They rank 6th in sacks per game, 15th in takeaways and 8th in interceptions. Overall, they rank 4th in defense and 1st in passing defense.
Simply put they are a much better team defensively but in order to win games… They need to be able to score the ball. Offensively, they need to figure things out, but without a #1 QB and constant change in that position for the team… I don’t see that solved anytime soon.
4. New York Giants ( 1-6 )
The New York Giants are simply put… a bad football team in the worst division in football.
The Giants at this point in the season should consider to tank for a high draft pick and not make the mistake like last year. They need to honestly… focus on a rebuild.
The way I see it they should be on the market to be sellers as the NFL trade deadline is looming and acquire as many draft picks as possible.
As many are considering Trevor Lawrence as the best QB in the upcoming draft, the Giants should consider drafting him and start the rebuild process and build up for the future.
Final Take!
My final take on who wins the NFC East are the Philadelphia Eagles.
Why? Well let me explain.
What I see from the Eagles is that they have a QB, even if he isn’t playing his best football. Carson Wentz is playing better football each week and in the 4th quarter is where he is at his best. His QBR in the first 1-3 quarters is 67.8 and in the 4th 85.3 QBR.
Coming off a huge win against the Giants, leading his team from an 11 point deficit. He showed flashes that he is coming back into shape.
They are getting healthier at certain positions as they get back Jalen Reagor(WR), Dallas Goedert(TE), and Jason Peters(LT).
Also coming off a bye week and facing the Cowboys who are relying on 3rd string QB Ben DiNucci. Eagles have the 3rd easiest schedule in the NFL only behind Cleveland and Pittsburgh.
So yes, I believe the Eagles are going to win the NFC East.
