Division games are always a great game. Playing twice each year means the teams know each other very well; however, with significant changes to the coaching staff of the Washington Commanders and Philadelphia Eagles, both sides needed to be on their toes.
While the Eagles and Commanders battled for the top of the NFC East, the Dallas Cowboys struggled in the battle of Texas, and the New York Giants made a quarterback change. Without further ado, here are the NFC East power rankings heading into Week 12.
4. Dallas Cowboys (Last Week: 4th)
Fumbles don't occur too often, never mind two on the same play. That is, unless you're the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Cooper Rush was stripped of the ball by longtime Eagle Derek Barnett on a wind-up, and after recovering the ball, left tackle Tyler Guyton ran with one hand on the ball. To no one's surprise, the ball was hit out, and recovered by Barnett, who returned it for a touchdown.
That play perfectly describes how the 2024 season has gone for the Cowboys. Rush showed he is incompetent in his ball placement, and in finding open receivers. What didn't help was a beat-up offensive line having three starters leave with injuries. Guyton, Zack Martin, and Tyler Smith all needed attention from the medical staff.
Including the horrific playoff loss against the Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, this loss was the sixth consecutive game of Dallas trailing by 20+ points at home, an NFL record. It's a shame because the Cowboys' playmakers played well, getting open even though Rush wouldn't throw to them.
Outside Micah Parsons, the defense was not playing well. Thankfully for them, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud missed several throws. Dallas couldn't stop the run, get to Stroud, or play tight in coverage. It was a disaster all around and looked much worse than the 34-10 final score.
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3. New York Giants (Last Week: 3rd)
While most teams use their bye week to nurse lingering injuries for their players, some use it as an opportunity to make a change. With the trade deadline behind them, the New York Giants used their bye week to install Tommey DeVito as their starting quarterback, benching Daniel Jones.
Considering most of the team's problems stemmed from their quarterback play, the change in scenery can't result in much worse. Their offensive playmakers can dominate when given the opportunity, and their defense has been solid considering their lack of support offensively.
The team skipping over Drew Lock to name DeVito as their starter is likely due to the latter's string of decent success last season while Jones was nursing an injury. If he can play average to just below average, the Giants will be a significantly better team.
2. Washington Commanders (Last Week: 1st)
Every season, there's one team that football fans love to support due to a great storyline. This year, it's the Washington Commanders. After years of struggling to compete, having quarterbacks fall to injury, and controversy surrounding the team name and ownership, there is stability.
New coaching hires and the electrifying play of rookie quarterback, Jayden Daniels, among other offensive weapons, made Washington the people's team. Unfortunately for them, Washington is now on a two-game losing streak after their Thursday Night Football 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Commanders' offense led them to play like one of the top teams in the NFL, but the Eagles put a hard stop to that. No Washington receiver had more than ten receiving yards in the first half, with running back Austin Ekeler the only one to do so. By the end of the game, Ekeler (89) and tight end Zach Ertz (47) were the only ones to eclipse 20+ receiving yards.
The defense played well to start the game, holding Philly to three points in the first half, and running back Saquon Barkley to a -4.0 total rush EPA, but that changed to 23 points and Barkley earning an 18.0 total rush EPA in the second half. Both of their sacks came in the first half, with the pocket relatively clean from the third quarter and on.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (Last Week: 2nd)
The Philadelphia Eagles did it again, somehow coming out with a win despite facing adversity. Kicker Jake Elliott missed two field goals in the first half, costing Philly precious field position and leaving points on the board. Despite not getting the team going in the first half, everything came together after halftime.
That started with the defense holding the Commanders' offense in check, highlighted by cornerback Quinyon Mitchell locking up star receiver Terry McLaurin. Mitchell followed McLaurin on 20 of 25 routes, resulting in zero targets, and allowed one target for zero catches on 39 total coverage snaps all game.
The Commanders could not get much going offensively due to Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in coverage, and Jalen Carter and the defensive line plugging up running lanes while pressuring Jayden Daniels responsibly. Interior lineman Jalen Carter registered three pressures in an average of 1.70 seconds, the fastest in a game this season.
The offense was slow to start but picked up chunk plays from their many offensive playmakers. Barkley had two plays of 35+ yards and tight end Dallas Goedert had one play of 32 yards. If Elliott was a competent kicker, rather than leaving seven points on the board, this game would have been a blowout.
The Eagles earned their top spot in the NFC East, and the Giants are fighting to not be the worst. The Commanders must fix their recent offensive issues if they are to once again be a threat to the league. The Cowboys should stop trying at this point. No one else needs to get hurt.
Week 12 look ahead
The Washington Commanders have another division matchup, this time at home against the Dallas Cowboys. With Dallas struggling mightily on defense, this could be the game to get the Commanders' offense back on track.
The Philadelphia Eagles travel to Los Angeles to play the Rams, a team with an underrated offense and defense. The New York Giants will have newly-named starter, Tommy DeVito play his first game at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have struggled defending the pass, so it could be a good first game for the 26-year-old.