The NFC East’s no good, very bad week

When we last checked in on the NFC East, the Eagles were comfortably in first place. A week later and they’re even more comfortable! Murphy’s Law says that "anything that can go wrong will go wrong" and that’s pretty much what happened in Week 10 in the NFC East. If only every week was that easy. *looks at schedule* This week looks like it could be another no good, very bad week for everyone else.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

Last Week: Didn’t play and increased their lead on the division. And you can’t beat the hours.

This Week: Visit the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Big week for the Eagles and Cowboys, who are both missing their left tackle, a key running back, their best linebacker, and a key special teams player. Even bigger week for the media, who will not take this into consideration if Dak Prescott and the Cowboys lose. Even if he plays well and loses, Carson Wentz will be blamed. Heavy lies the crown.

Dallas Cowboys (5-4)

Last Week: Ezekiel Elliott was finally, actually suspended, Tyron Smith was out and the Cowboys lost 27-7 to the Falcons.

This Week: Host the Eagles on SNF, you might want to watch this game.

The Cowboys first game without Ezekiel Elliott seemed a good matchup on paper. The last time the Falcons played at home, they lost to the Dolphins. In half their games, they have failed to score 20 points. They haven’t stopped anyone on the ground. It seemed a good matchup.

Instead, the Cowboys looked like sacrificial lambs for a homecoming game. Adrian Clayborn became the first player in a decade to have six sacks in a game, and Sunday was the fourth time anyone has done that since Clayborn was born. It’s easy to blame that on Tyron Smith’s replacement, Chaz Green, but he was more effective than his replacement, Byron Bell. Green gave up “only” 4 sacks to Clayborn in 46 snaps, Bell gave up 2 in 17 snaps.

The Falcons scored 27 straight points… with Devonta Freeman leaving the game after 2 carries and Julio Jones catching 6 passes for just 57 yards. Matt Ryan’s 215 yards was his lowest of the season. The Cowboys had no Elliott, no Smith, no Lee, no Bailey, and no chance.

Washington Redskins (4-5)

Last Week: Lost to the Vikings, who’s kicker made all his kicks, 38-30.

This Week: Visit the Saints, who don’t really need a kicker.

The Redskins win over the Seahawks, which was the result of Seattle’s kicker missing all three of his field goal attempts, was supposed to be some kind of statement game for WASTEAM. Shouldn’t 29 year old QBs with 50 starts and head coaches in their fourth year be beyond “statement games”? Anyway, statements need substance behind them. There was none for the Redskins, who ground out a 17-14 lead late in the 2nd quarter, then gave up three straight touchdowns to the Vikings, including two in a 1:27 span, similar to their Monday Night Football loss to the Eagles. Case Keenum had a career high 4 touchdown passes, while Kenny Cousins’ 78.7 passer rating was his second worst of the season. Are statement losses a thing? They should be.

It what would be a very fitting set of results for WASTEAM, watch them beat the Saints this week, which helps the Eagles, then lose to the Giants next week.

New York Giants (1-8)

Last Week: Lost to the previously winless 49ers 31-21.

This Week: Does it even matter any more? Like Ben McAdoo’s players, I’m done with this team. (They host the Chiefs.)

Tweet of the Week

Next year, Papa John.