There was a time when NFC East rivalries dominated Sundays. The Cowboys-Redskins, Giants-Cowboys, Eagles-Cowboys and so on. Those games were must-see TV and created huge tension between teams on the field and their fans. Now, not so much as the division has crumbled. The Cowboys lead the way at a paltry 6-5 and are 3-5 in their last eight games. And they are the best the division has to offer.
Dallas is tumbling
The Cowboys are the only team in the division that has outscored its opponents, 295-210. They have failed against strong playoff contenders New Orleans, Green Bay, Minnesota and New England. None of their victories are against teams that are currently over .500. People seem to wait forever on Jason Garrett’s reign coming to an end. Could we win the division, fail quickly in the playoffs and be gone? That tune has been played before.
The Eagles have been clipped
Can you be on the hot seat two seasons after winning a Super Bowl and becoming a saint in the City of Brotherly Love? It feels like Doug Pederson and Philly have completely lost their way. They had two chances in the past two weeks to prove their mettle, home games against New England and Seattle and they failed in both. Carson Wentz does not appear to be the franchise QB they rewarded with a massive contract. The offense goes nowhere and the defense in the position of trying to hold opponents because the offense can’t score. This is a team that won at Green Bay and Buffalo and is under .500. Ouch.
The Giants have a case of the blues
There is nothing big about Big Blue, unless you consider its current seven-game losing streak. This was going to be a transition year with rookie Daniel Jones taking over for Eli Manning. Then a two-game winning streak ignited hope. It’s been doused week after week. Three of the remaining games should leave them feeling green as they faced Philly twice and Green Bay The Pat Shurmur era feels like it may join tenures of Ben McAdoo, Ray Handley, Bill Arnsparger and Alex Webster: Unsuccessful.
Saquon Barkley
What has happened to the dazzling rookie? This is beyond a sophomore jinx. He no longer breaks long plays whether running or catching passes after a first season that saw him account for more than 2,000 yards of total offense. Yes, he lost time to the high ankle sprain. Still, he will be hard-press to account for 1,000 yards total offense in 2019. In addition to everything else, he is the No. 1 fantasy football nightmare.
Washington is washed out
Jay Gruden probably didn’t think it but being let go allowed him to avoid an abysmal season. Washington is 2-9 and has been outscored by 125 points. The defense isn’t good and the offense is, well, offensive. Bill Callahan deserves extra pay for taking on this project. Interim will be the only title he wears.
Tough year for rookie QBs
Washington and the New York Giants have handed the keys to the offense to first-round rookie QBs. Daniel Jones can’t get through a game without a fumble. Dwayne Haskins was so overwhelmed as Washington was about to defeat Detroit Sunday he started taking a selfie with fans rather than taking the field for the final play of the game. This wouldn’t fly at high school, let alone Ohio State or the NFL. “I was so hype I think I broke a water bottle,” Haskins said. “I look up and we were in victory (formation) and said, ‘Oh, I thought the game was over with already. But I’ll get it next time.” He’s lucky he is a rookie or there might not be a next time for a while, and who knows when the next time a Redskins QB will be in victory formation.
Coaching carousel
Could all four coaches be looking for new jobs come 2020? This is a division that is a collective 15-29. It feels implausible but Washington already needs a new head coach. The Giants are going nowhere under Shurmur. Doug Pederson has watched a Super Bowl champ struggled and need a miracle stretch to make the playoffs in 2018 and is below .500 this season and Jason Garrett always seems to be on borrowed time. Four-for-four, a clean sweep in the coaching department in the NFC East. Stranger things could happen.
