The Cowboys, Eagles or Giants?
A new wrinkle this week.
We'll have an accompanying poll asking you, simply: Who is going to win the NFC East?
It'll be a good way to gauge your confidence level.
The divisional breakdown:
Dallas Cowboys (8-3)
Division record: 2-1
Remaining schedule: at Giants, San Diego, at New Orleans, at Washington, Philadelphia.
Record of remaining opponents: 35-20
Home games remaining: 2
Road games remaining: 3
Division games remaining: 3 (at New York, at Washington, Philadelphia)
They were part of the terrible Thanksgiving Day lineup. After managing just two touchdowns in eight quarters, the Cowboys got well against the Raiders, beating Oakland, 24-7. Dallas' running game has impressed me. They averaged 5.2 yards per carry in the win. On the season, they average 5.3 yards per carry, tops in the NFC. But a difficult stretch begins Sunday night at the Meadowlands.
Philadelphia Eagles (7-4)
Division record: 3-1
Remaining schedule: at Atlanta, at Giants, San Francisco, Denver, at Dallas.
Record of remaining opponents: 32-23
Home games remaining: 2
Road games remaining: 3
Division games remaining: (at Giants, at Dallas)
I said it Sunday. You can classify the victory over the 'Skins as a gutsy win or an ugly one. Like many other teams around the league, the Birds are banged-up. They get a break by not having to face Matt Ryan Sunday and are really in good position to get into the playoffs, likely having to go 3-2 in their final five. The Week 17 matchup in Dallas could be for the division.
New York Giants (6-5)
Division record: 2-1
Remaining schedule: Dallas, Philadelphia, at Washington, Carolina, at Minnesota.
Record of remaining opponents: 32-23
Home games remaining: 3
Road games remaining: 2
Division games remaining: 3 (Dallas, Philadelphia, at Washington)
It's pretty incredible to consider that as bad as the Giants have played, they still have a shot at the division. Think about it. If they beat the Cowboys and Eagles at home over the next two weeks, the Giants will be 8-5 (4-1 in the division) and in the thick of the NFC East race. Of course, they've won just one game since Oct. 11 and looked awful Thanksgiving night against the Broncos, but don't bury them yet.