The common assumption that, coming out of their bye, the Eagles will be a better team, is sound and true. They are likely to see the return of running back Miles Sanders and right tackle Lane Johnson, defensive tackle Malik Jackson should be fit, and receiver Alshon Jeffery might decide to finally earn some of the $10 million he'll take home this season.
However, the assumption that the Eagles' inevitable improvement, combined with their lead in the NFC East with that gaudy 3-4-1 record, makes them solid favorites to win the division — that is unsound. This assumption assumes that the other teams won't appreciably improve. And this is untrue.
The Giants and Washington can beat the Eagles any time, anywhere. The Giants won't be favored when the Eagles visit Sunday, and Washington might be the underdog when the Eagles host them in the season finale Jan. 3, and the Eagles still have the best defensive line (barely), the best head coach (barely), and the best quarterback (even this is arguable at the moment). But both of these teams are getting better.
The Giants beat Washington on Sunday, 23-20, in what was a completely watchable contest; perhaps the first in the division this season. Giants quarterback Daniel Jones didn't commit a turnover for the first time this season and for only the second time in his 22-game career. Thirty-six-year-old backup Alex Smith, who lost two years to injury, relieved Kyle Allen, who got hurt, and Smith threw for 325 yards and touchdown, commanding Washington with the same proficiency that sent him to three Pro Bowls when he played for Andy Reid in Kansas City. The Cowboys lost to the unbeaten, somnambulant Steelers, 24-19, and, with Arena League veteran Garrett Gilbert playing the game of his quarterbacking life, they almost looked good doing it ... until they blew a 10-point, fourth-quarter lead, at home.
None of it wasn't football as opera, by any stretch. Smith threw two interceptions. Washington turned it over five times. The two teams played each other, and 1-7 beat 2-5. But it was a much, much better show than it projected to be.
