Could anyone have predicted such a dramatic first five weeks of the season for the NFC East?
From major quarterback injuries to surprise retirements to season-changing trades, there’s never a dull moment in this division, for better or for worse.
This season is already shaping up to be a replica of 2020, when the Washington Commanders won the division title with a 7-9 record.
There are so many questions and concerns across the four teams, all different, but one consensus is the questionable coaching.
Whether it’s playcalling, game management or overall decision-making, fan bases across the East are up in arms this Monday afternoon.
It may not take more than nine wins to clinch the division this year, but as of now, it’s seemingly going to be a race to see who can keep the losses from consuming them.
After Week 2, I gave my reasons to be optimistic, causes for concern and one pressing question for each team. Now, with 27.8% of the season in the books, let’s revisit.
New York Giants (3-1-1)
Biggest Question from Week 2: Will the Giants add a quarterback or stick with Jameis Winston?
Winston has seemed to settle in after being thrown back into the fire following Jaxson Dart’s devastating season-ending injury in Week 2.
Each week has brought more and more of a sense of comfort for Giants fans that, maybe, just maybe, Winston can lead Big Blue back to the playoffs, with the team currently sitting atop the division.
With New Orleans and Houston up next in two winnable games before their bye week, Harbaugh’s squad can certainly put themselves ahead of the rest.
Now, rewinding to yesterday against Washington, in a monsoon early on, Winston and Nabers were on the same page all day, Skattebo was rumbling and tumbling (until he wasn’t), and Arvell Reese looks like everything promised and more on the defensive side.
Trailing until the fourth quarter, the Giants positioned themselves to win in overtime (twice), but a missed field goal and Skattebo fumble nearly sealed their fate. The Commanders’ malpractice and idiocy ultimately left the game in a tie.
Harbaugh stated in his postgame presser that it’s hard to know how to feel, but a tie is better than a loss.
I’ve stated that I’ve seriously liked the direction the Giants are moving, and being in the driver’s seat early on is the best position to be in after Week 5.
But the biggest question still remains: Will Winston continue to get the job done, or will we see J.J. McCarthy in the near future to witness the “Nine” experience (which will mean the season is in the can)?
Philadelphia Eagles (2-3)
Biggest Question from Week 2: Will the Eagles be able to put it all together when facing quality opponents?
Since my last article, the Philadelphia Eagles’ demise has begun.
Just as easily as Philly could be 4-1, they could also be 0-5. The NFL is a hilarious league.
On a three-game skid, scoring just three points TOTAL in the second half of those games, the Eagles have fallen in some heartbreakers.
Just when fans think it couldn’t get worse… it does.
The Bears loss was a complete embarrassment, while late-game, or last-second, collapses against the Rams and Jaguars have Nick Sirianni on the hottest of seats, while seemingly Jalen Hurts is getting off scot-free, per usual.
The game management and game decisions from Sirianni are inexcusable, especially for a coach who does not call plays or specialize on one side of the ball and is supposed to be this ‘CEO’ head coach.
Sean Manion has to be given some grace as a young first-year play caller, but should be helped more by his Super Bowl-winning head coach. He has not received that grace.
As for Hurts, I’ve said it for years: he is an average quarterback at best and is extremely limited, needing an all-star cast around him to win.
The “all he does is win” saying crowd does not look too hot right now.
Ninety-two points through five weeks ranks as the third-lowest total across the league.
Now, an almost practice-squad offensive line, without newly retired Lane Johnson and now-Raven Cam Jurgens, who the fan base wanted benched anyway, is no longer there to protect him. The offensive line was my biggest concern heading into 2026. Bingo.
Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert have all missed time, which does not help anything.
But, to add to the Hurts criticism, for a guy who is “elite,” it’s inexcusable that he cannot drive his team down the field in the second half. Regardless of the playcalling, he is a vetted enough quarterback to find a way to put the ball in the end zone, especially for a guy “that just wins.”
This all goes to say, this is what the Eagles are in 2026.
The roster is what it is, and if this team continues to lose games and can’t find its footing, it’ll be interesting to see how Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman handle the future.
It’s not always sunny in Philadelphia.
Dallas Cowboys (2-3)
Biggest Question from Week 2: Can Christian Parker’s defense improve throughout the season to help an elite offense?
Huge sigh.
Is it truly a shocker that the Cowboys’ defense is still abysmal?
If any fanbase wants to see their quarterback compete at an MVP level, with record-setting QBRs, pray to see the Dallas Cowboys on the schedule.
Just when you think, “There’s no way the Dallas defense can be worse than 2025,” they simply amaze you.
Undrafted rookie from Kansas University Jalon Daniels looked like a 10-year Pro Bowler this past Thursday night to kick off Week 5, going 19-of-25, extending plays and allowing the Cowboys to make mistakes in the secondary.
Similar to Nick Sirianni, Brian Schottenheimer’s seat has turned the warmers on.
Questionable play calls and a decision to go for two points in the fourth quarter turned some heads.
People have already begun to call for his job after the Ravens debacle in Rio, but the Tampa Bay game topped it.
Dak Prescott, who has had his battles with Todd Bowles’ defenses throughout his career, had an off day, stats and almost-late-game heroics aside. Bowles’ pre-snap disguises rattled Prescott after an amazing opening drive for the rest of the way.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year missed throws he normally completes and just looked off rhythm. However, his receivers did him no favors, with Ryan Flournoy and Jake Ferguson letting easy receptions bounce in the air and into interceptions.
There was a chance to tie the ballgame late and fight in overtime, but the undisciplined team did not allow that, leading to one of the more embarrassing losses in some time.
I’m not worried that the offense will get back on track, especially once Tyler Smith knocks the rust off at left guard.
George Pickens finally had his breakout game in the loss, hauling in nine receptions for 130 yards and a score.
As for the defense, injuries have plagued the unit, but it’s inexcusable how unprepared they are, racking up penalties and mental errors.
Around the team, Christian Parker is still fully trusted, with the understanding that it’ll take time with the young defensive coordinator. But in a year when the defense could just be average, the Cowboys could run away with the East.
Washington Commanders (1-3-1)
Biggest Question from Week 2: Can Jayden Daniels get healthy and give his team a fighting chance?
Jayden Daniels is back: smiles.
Jayden Daniels forgets he has no timeouts in overtime: frowns.
The NFC East squads all tried to lose in the worst fashion possible in Week 5, but Dan Quinn’s squad might take the cake for the most inexcusable game.
But, hey, at least it’s a tie.
Blame can go all around because the entire team deserves to be ridiculed for the tie, which certainly should have been a huge division win.
There is no excuse for why none of the 11 players nor any of the coaching staff emphasized, to the highest degree, the time and situation.
A Little League team mishap. Embarrassing.
If you didn’t think Quinn was on the hot seat before, he damn sure is now.
Another step behind the rest of the East, it’ll be an uphill battle in 2026.
In most years, a 1-3-1 record would’ve ultimately eliminated you from a title shot, but not this season.
Daniels returned with a huge arm brace on his left elbow and had an exceptional day on the ground with 103 yards.
It still remains: Can he stay healthy?
When he’s on the field, the Commanders will always have a shot to win the game.
But that leads me to say the defense has been awful, allowing 27 or more points in every game except the Week 1 loss to the Eagles. Shocker.
They have to find a way to slow down teams, and that may have to wait until after their Week 7 bye because the undefeated San Francisco 49ers are looming next Monday night.
It may be another year of bad fortune in the nation’s capital.
For more NFL content, follow me on Twitter @MontaltoJared, on TikTok @JarSportsTakes, and on YouTube @PickSwapMedia.
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