New York Giants (5-7, 0 GB)
After starting a horrid 0-5, the New York Giants looked bound for another top 10 draft pick. The team has quickly turned it around going 5-2 in their last seven games and is currently holding first place in the division after 13 weeks.
Giants fans can accredit most of the turnaround to a stout defense which ranks fourth best for rushing yards allowed and tenth in total yards surrendered. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has done a phenomenal job of putting his defenders in a position to succeed week in and week out.
Though the offense has struggled at times throughout the season, they have a solid run attack that ranks 11 (119.8 YDS/G) in the league. Running-back Wayne Gallman Jr. has been a pleasant surprise for New York ever since Saquon Barkley was ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear back in a Week 3 loss in Chicago.
At the start of the season it may not have translated into wins but the defense has kept them in every single game– except in a week 3 blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers–
Out of the seven games they’ve lost this year, five have been decided by one possession. Three out of the five wins have also come against NFC East opponents.
Players have clearly bought into the Joe Judge system which has helped give a consistent identity throughout the season, controlling the clock on offense and playing suffocating defense.
The Giants are one of the hottest teams in football currently on a four game winning streak and are looking to extend that to five straight with a win against the Cardinals. The team is also seeking to become the first team in NFL history to start 0-5 and win their division.
Remaining schedule: vs Arizona Cardinals, vs Cleveland Browns, @Baltimore Ravens, vs Dallas Cowboys
Washington Football Team (5-7, .5 GB)
Though they are the only team in the division with a positive point differential, the only reason the Washington Football Team is not currently in first place is because they failed to beat the Giants at least once in their two meetings.
Washington started the season with quarterback Dwayne Haskins, but decided to bench him in favor of Kyle Allen in Week 5. Kyle Allen then dislocated his left ankle in a Week 9 loss to the Giants, which forced them to roll with Alex Smith as their starter for the rest of the season.
Since Smith took over the team has gone 3-1, currently on a three game win streak with wins against the Bengals, Lions, and then undefeated Steelers.
Smith should almost be a lock for the Comeback Player of the Year award for not only being able to suit up after a career (and life) threatening injury, but for actually showing flashes of the player he once was as he hopes to lead Washington to its first playoff berth since 2015.
Washington’s defense has been no slouch themselves. Washington ranks fourth in total yards surrendered and eighth in points surrendered per game (21.7). Not to mention a defense led by a solid front seven including rookie phenom Chase Young.
Remaining schedule: @San Francisco 49ers, vs Seattle Seahawks, vs Carolina Panthers, @Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles (3-8-1, 1.5 GB)
The Philadelphia Eagles come into Week 14 with their worst record since drafting Carson Wentz. Despite the issues in Philadelphia they mathematically still have a chance to win the division.
Head Coach Doug Pederson is looking for a spark to somehow turn Philly’s season around or gain momentum heading into the 2021 season by turning to rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts who they took in the second round of last years draft. If Philadelphia fails to make the postseason, it would only mark the second time that they have missed the playoffs since hiring Pederson.
When Jalen Hurts was inserted into the game during last weeks loss to the Green Bay Packers it was evident that he provided the spark that Coach Pederson was looking for. Hurts’ first NFL career touchdown pass came on a 32 yard dime on a 4th & 18 to receiver Greg Ward.
Wentz is in just his second year of his four-year $128 million deal he signed back in June 2019. Whether the Eagles sneak into the playoffs or not, they have some hard decisions ahead of them this offseason.
Remaining schedule: vs New Orleans Saints, vs Arizona Cardinals, @Dallas Cowboys, vs Washington Football Team
Dallas Cowboys (3-9, 2 GB)
The Dallas Cowboys should be very fortunate to have three wins at this point (as crazy as that sounds). They are one badly botched onside kick recovery attempt by the Atlanta Falcons from only having two wins on the season.
Dallas got unlucky early in the season when they lost Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback Dak Prescott for the season with a gruesome ankle injury in a Week 5 victory over the Giants. Andy Dalton has been an exceptional backup in Dak’s absence, but he also has his best supporting cast since entering the NFL in 2011. At the end of the day they only have three wins to show for it.
Dallas’ defense has been no help whatsoever and is on pace to be statistically one of the worst the NFL has ever seen. The defense gives up a league worst 32.8 points per game. They also rank dead last in rushing yards given per game (167.8 YDS/G).
With a win in Cincinnati and help from a few other division losses that could happen in Week 14, it would put the Cowboys just one game out of first place. Dallas still has two divisional games left to play. If they play their cards right, they could set the stage for a Week 17 showdown for the NFC East title with the Giants and would sweep them on the season with a win.
Head Coach Mike McCarthy has called out his players for their lack of effort as of late. Which could be a sign of him losing the locker room already in year one.
Remaining schedule: @Cincinnati Bengals, vs San Francisco 49ers, vs Philadelphia Eagles, vs New York Giants
If you’d like to read about our NFC East division winner odds click here