Not everyone can make it into the playoffs, with only seven teams in each conference doing so. The Philadelphia Eagles took the NFC East championship, while the Washington Commanders claimed the second wild-card spot. That left the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants packing early.
There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the 2024 season, with all three teams not named the Giants spending at least one week in the number one spot. While for the Cowboys it was only one week, it beats the Giants' inability to crack the top two. With the regular season wrapped up, here are your NFC East power rankings.
4. New York Giants (Last Week: 4th)
If there's one positive for Giants fans to take from this game, it's rookie Malik Nabers having the most catches by a Giants rookie, eclipsing Odell Beckham Jr. While it wasn't a standout performance against the Eagles, he made a couple of impact plays.
Still, the team lacks top-end talent. Nabers is accompanied by rookie running back Tyrone Tracey, who is the only other reliable offensive weapon on the team. Wan'Dale Robinson has improved but is still not a WR2. Without left tackle Andrew Thomas, the offensive line is in shambles.
Leaning on your defensive line is not a bad strategy, as they can set up everything else; however, relying on them to make a play on every snap to avoid the opposition scoring is a losing recipe. The trio of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence has been holding the defense afloat.
More talent is needed to help support the defensive line. Rookie safety Tyler Nubin is one piece that will help as he develops, but cornerbacks and linebackers are desperately needed. Until they are drafted or signed, the Giants' defense will continue to get picked apart.
3. Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: 3rd)
Injuries can turn promising seasons into a dumpster fire. The Dallas Cowboys know that just as well if not more than any team in the NFL. While the team took a step back roster-wise, it was a talented group that was expected to make the playoffs nonetheless.
Trey Lance got the start at quarterback after many had been calling for him to get real opportunities to play. He impressed, showing his improved patience and beloved athleticism. The willingness to take shots downfield, but not force throws into trouble while showing the patience to wait for wideouts to get open shows the quarterback has been learning.
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Wideouts Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin were the beneficiaries of Lance's impressive play. Tolbert was often the receiver Lance found while waiting for receivers to get open, and Turpin was hit in stride multiple times and gained extra yardage. The offensive line held up well for the most part, with Lance having more than enough time to make plays.
The defense played very well, with defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer scheming up pressures from all angles. Micah Parsons and Chauncey Golston showed up on the defensive line, with DaRon Bland containing whoever he was on, which often included Terry McLaurin. It's a strong case for Zimmer to return in 2025.
2. Washington Commanders (Last Week: 2nd)
Players are coming out of their shells at the right time for the Washington Commanders. The duo of Zack Ertz and Olamide Zacchaeus had back-to-back impressive games to end the regular season. Their compliment to McLaurin will be crucial to competing in the playoffs.
The offensive line was very underwhelming, failing to protect their quarterbacks or opening rushing lanes for the running backs. The Cowboys were blitz-heavy, which played a role in the collapsing pockets, but they did not make any adjustments throughout the game. Washington finished the game victorious, though, thanks to a couple of big plays.
Jonathan Allen's return is huge for the Commanders, as he has the ability to control the middle of the offensive line. He got one of the two sacks for the team and proved he is the clear focal point of the defensive line. That push from the interior will make the jobs of Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong much easier.
Mike Sainristil continues to impress with his tackling and ability to get his hands on the ball. The three pass breakups this game brought his season total to 14, which is good to tie for 10th in the NFL. Safety Jeremy Chinn continues to play well on the backend and remains an underrated player in the Commanders' secondary.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: 1st)
The Eagles rested their starters to prepare for their Wild Card matchup against the Green Bay Packers. That meant MVP candidate, Saquon Barkley, sat out the game and was just shy of breaking the record for rushing yards in a season. There are many others that sat out on both sides of the ball.
Quarterback Tanner McKee started in place of Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett. He was efficient, making safe throws and setting up receivers to run with the ball. Eagles fans must be happy to see tight end Dallas Goedert get some usage after getting a fraction of his previous opportunities and to see wideout Jahan Dotson break out while playing as the WR1, although he will be WR3 once again next week.
17 tackles is a lot, but that's what backup Oren Burks racked up while plugging in holes against the run. Kelee Ringo did an excellent job erasing the Giants' wideouts on the left side of their formation, playing aggressively on the ball and using his speed to make up for the soft coverage he gave.
Seeing that many starters sat out the game, and the defense still excelled against the Giants, although that's not a high bar, it's still an offense with dangerous weapons. Giving up only 13 points is a great day for a second-team defense.
The Commanders and Eagles head into the postseason happy with the development of their depth players and relatively healthy rosters. There are concerns, though, about the return of Philly's Jalen Hurts from a concussion, and the Commanders' Tyler Biadasz and Marshon Lattimore from their respective injuries.
Wild Card look ahead
The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders both play on Sunday. Their opponents are the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers respectively. The Eagles are favorites to win at home while the Commanders are visiting underdogs.
The New York Giants' owner John Mara committed to keeping general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll but must find change somewhere. The Dallas Cowboys have not officially committed to anything yet, with the likelihood of the coaching staff returning being a 50-50 split.
With the offseason in full swing for two of the NFC East teams, power rankings will have to hold until more change comes for all parties. Lots of changes can be made in free agency and the draft. For now, Cowboys fans will sit back and wait while the Commanders and Eagles fight for the Super Bowl.