Washington moves into NFC East lead with division win
Early season standings are often full of oddities, and the NFC East certainly has one after Week 2. Thanks to their victory over the New York Giants, plus losses by the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles, the Washington Commanders have moved into first place.
While the Commanders, Cowboys, and Eagles are all tied at 1-1 overall, Washington’s victory over New York gives them the edge with the only division victory so far in 2024. That won’t be the case for long as Dallas and New York will meet in Week 4, but it gives the Commanders the top spot for the moment.
While nobody lost as badly as the Cowboys did last week, the Eagles’ late collapse against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football was still ugly. Up 21-15 with just 1:39 left on the clock, they allowed Atlanta to go 70 yards on just six plays and score the game-winning touchdown. Missing A.J. Brown seemed to clog the offense, and now Philly will have to head into New Orleans with the 2-0 Saints firing on all cylinders.
The Commanders’ win over the Giants was no surprise given where New York appears to be headed this season. It took a last-minute drive and field goal to get the win, but credit Washington’s rookie QB Jayden Daniels for helping to engineer that drive and get his team their first victory. The Commanders will face stiffer competition next Monday night in Cincinnati, with the Bengals having just pushed the Chiefs to the limit and desperate to get their first win.
New York is probably heading to 0-3 with a road game in Cleveland next week. While the Cowboys dominated the Browns in Week 1, they bounced back with a road win over Jacksonville and are getting healthier on the offensive line.
With the Cowboys searching for answers after last week and a tough Baltimore team heading this way on Sunday, it’s hard to guess who will be on top of the division after Week 3. Dallas, Philadelphia, and Washington all face tough matchups, so if anyone winds up 2-1 it will be well-earned.