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Recapping the NFC East after Week 1: Cowboys bring up the rear

Dallas has work to do.
ByJess Haynie
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Another year of NFC East football has begun! Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season saw two division games, leaving the Eagles and Giants with arms raised and the Cowboys and Commanders looking up from the mat.

We all know how Sunday night went for the Cowboys and Giants. New York's victory, which was more one-sided than the final score suggests, left them feeling really good about their coaching changes and Dallas wondering about its staff from the top down.

Shortly before their kickoff, the Commanders came up short in a comeback attempt in Philadelphia. The Eagles were up 17-9 going into the final quarter, but then Washington's offense finally woke up.

Jayden Daniels engineered two 60-plus drives for touchdowns, but the Commanders couldn't convert the final two-point attempt needed to tie the game. The Eagles also responded with their own late score to maintain the lead, capped by a 43-yard touchdown between Jalen Hurts and Dallas Goedert.

NFC East standing after Week 1

Note: Division record in parentheses

1. New York Giants 1-0 (1-0)
2. Philadelphia Eagles 1-0 (1-0)
3. Washington Commanders 0-1 (0-1)
4. Dallas Cowboys 0-1 (0-1)

Ever after just one week, last place still stinks. Dallas is technically behind Washington, despite their matching records, due to having a higher point differential in their loss than the Commanders did.

Week 2 preview for the NFC East

The Cowboys have a clear opportunity to get out of the NFC East basement, hosting the Commanders on Sunday afternoon. As with the Giants, Dallas has mostly dominated Washington during Dak Prescott's first 10 seasons. The Cowboys lead 15-5 overall during that span, and four of those losses saw Andy Dalton, Trey Lance, and other backups at quarterback.

Generally, when Dallas is healthy and playing for something, they've had no trouble with Washington. The motivation is certainly there, but confidence is a little tough right now after what happened in New York. Will the Cowboys stop the bleeding, or will the Commanders further open the wound?

The Giants look to keep their good vibes going in a Monday Night Football date with the Los Angeles Rams. Between a blowout loss to the 49ers and losing Myles Garrett to injury, the Rams are doing their own soul searching this week. If New York goes 2-0 against two presumed NFC contenders, John Harbaugh will be an early favorite for Coach of the Year.

The Eagles, meanwhile, are visiting a Tennessee Titans team that put up a stinker in Week 1, losing to the New York Jets. Cam Ward and Co. managed just 10 points on offense. We can only hope that Philly overlooks their opponent, but even a sloppy outing might be enough to beat this Titans team.

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