Teams unsure of fates ‘waiting and hoping’
The historic struggles of the NFC East in 2020 are well documented.
No team has more than three wins. The combined record of the four teams against the rest of the NFL is 2-18-1.
But an NFC East champion will be crowned. So how do things break down heading into Week 11 after the Giants’ 2717 victory over the Eagles, the first time New York has beaten Philadelphia in four years?
Take a look at the four teams, what’s remaining on the schedule and which team might have the upper hand:
Giants (3-7)
What’s left: at Bengals, at Seahawks, vs. Cardinals, vs. Browns, at Ravens, vs. Cowboys
Combined record of remaining opponents:
Why they can win it:
28-25-1
We can crunch the numbers all we want, but when it comes to the Giants and their chances, it boils down to this: They’re the best team in the division right now. They’ve competed with all but one team on their schedule, and you can see the Giants improving play to play, week to week. The Giants could be favored in Cincinnati when they return from the bye and in the season finale against the Cowboys. The games in Seattle and Baltimore might be the least winnable ones of the slate, but finding a way to beat Arizona or Cleveland at MetLife Stadium might not be impossible.
Eagles (3-5-1)
What’s left: at Browns, vs. Seahawks, at Packers, vs. Saints, at Cardinals, at Cowboys, vs. Washington
Combined record of remaining opponents: 36-27
Why they can win it: We all thought the Eagles were going to be a different team with Miles Sanders and Alshon Jeffery returning to the lineup. Truth is: They weren’t, and there is the potential for this team to get worse over the next few weeks. The next five opponents are legit playoff contenders, all of whom have at least six wins. Sure, if Doug Pederson’s team turns things around, finishing the season with two division games is a plus. But it might have fallen out of contention by then.
Cowboys (2-7)
What’s left: at Vikings, vs. Washington, at Ravens, at Bengals, vs. 49ers, vs. Eagles, at Giants
Combined record of remaining opponents: 23-39-2
Why they can win it: If the Cowboys used their bye to their advantage, and they can get competent play from either Garrett Gilbert or Andy Dalton, the schedule is in their favor. They have a caveat of facing the Giants in Week 17, and the only game that’ll likely be out of reach is the one in Baltimore. The Cowboys are currently in line for a top-three pick in the 2021 NFL draft, but they could also still win the division. It’s a crazy time for Jerry Jones, and there is pressure on Mike McCarthy’s team to show some signs of life.
Washington (2-7)
What’s left: vs. Bengals, at Cowboys, at Steelers, at 49ers, vs. Seahawks, vs. Panthers, at Eagles
Combined record of remaining opponents: 29-34-2
Why they can win it: Their chances might have gone by the wayside when Lions kicker Matt Prater’s 59-yard field goal split the uprights to beat them in Week 10. Alex Smith will potentially give the Football Team its best play at quarterback in some time, but that might not matter. The Giants’ sweep of the WFT is going to hurt Ron Rivera’s team if the division comes down to tiebreakers.