Even if you live in the middle of Manhattan, you may not have thought that the New York Giants would be leading the NFC East after four weeks. You especially didn't think it after quarterback Jaxson Dart was lost to injury. But here we are, with the first quarter (kinda) of the 2026 season behind us and the rest of the division looking up at Big Blue.
Now, let's not get carried away here. The Giants' lead is still narrow with the Cowboys and Eagles at 2-2. New York's three wins are against teams with a combined 3-9 record: the season-opener against Dallas its only victory over a team considered to be a contender going into the year.
Still, John Harbaugh coming to the NFC East was something that made us all take notice. Now he's gone 2-0 since losing his QB1, which is impressive regardless of the competition. An emerging Coach of the Year candidate, Harbaugh could lock that award up if his team is still contending by December.
While the Giants got to 3-1 on their own merits, they're leading the NFC East because the Cowboys and Eagles have allowed it. Philly's dropped two in a row, first to the Bears without Caleb Williams and then at home to the Rams.
That Week 3 loss was far more embarrassing, but altogether there's a pall forming over the team. Longtime leader and starting right tackle Lane Johnson's sudden retirement is another blow, putting a lot of pressure on Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts to right the ship.
NFC East standings after Week 4
Note: Division record in parentheses
1. New York Giants 3-1 (1-0)
2. Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (1-0)
3. Dallas Cowboys 2-2 (1-1)
4. Washington Commanders 1-3 (0-2)
If we were to compare these actual standings to power rankings for the division, would they look the same? Do we think thew Giants are truly the best team in the NFC East right now, or are we just in a temporary state due to their weak recent schedule?
If I were ranking the division by overall strength and projected contention by the end of the year, it would still look like it did before Week 1.
NFC East power rankings before Week 5
1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Commanders
Is it arrogant to rank Dallas over New York when they beat us four weeks ago? Sure, if you put that much weight on early-September football. A one-score win at home doesn't make the Giants a juggernaut. Take Dart out of that game and it likely goes the other way, and New York won't have him for the rest of the season,
The importance of QB1 will be a story for the entire division this week. It starts Thursday night in Dallas, where the Cowboys look to start a win streak against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Dak Prescott is putting together a strong season, the Bucs will be without Baker Mayfield and starting undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on a short week.
All games are crucial when you're .500, but this one could break the Cowboys if they don't get an expected win. Improving to 3-1 and then getting extra rest before heading to Green Bay could cause a major momentum swing for Dallas as we get into the thick of 2026.
The Giants look to pad their NFC East lead with a division road game against Washington. Jayden Daniels is expected to return for the Commanders, which should give them the edge at football's most important position. Will that be enough to lift them over New York, though? Dallas and Philly certainly hope so.
Speaking of the Eagles, correcting course won't be easy this week against the 3-1 Jaguars in London. Trevor Lawrence has been one of the top QBs so far in 2026, which will put a spotlight on how Hurts plays by comparison.
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