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It was a slow week for the NFC East since two teams were on a bye last weekend.
New York Giants
Last Week:
New York Giants 49 - New Orleans Saints 52
Next Up: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There is a possibility the Giants will get a major lift this weekend with the return of a vital pair on defense. Cornerback Prince Amukamara received positive news regarding his torn pectoral. Although the injury is not likely to be fully healed, there is a good chance that he will return to the field on Sunday to help firm up a defense that allowed Drew Brees throw for over 500 yards and seven touchdowns. Jason Pierre-Paul is even more likely to return for New York. The Giants are last in the NFL in sacks, and JPP being on the field would be a major lift for the defense as the team enters the second half of the season.
Brees was not the only quarterback to lead an offensive explosion. Eli Manning also tossed five touchdown passes while going down to defeat. Odell Beckham, Jr. and Dwayne Harris did something that no pair of New York receivers had accomplished in over two decades. The pair each had multiple touchdown games for the G-men. Beckham put three scores on the board while Harris caught two touchdowns while manning the slot receiver position.
They are at the top of the NFC East standings, but the Giants have a plethora of issues that are keeping them from joining the list of "power" teams in the National Football League. Among those are a series of missteps that have hindered the teams growth over the past few seasons. Two of the biggest factors have been a failure to devote attention to the linebacker position and the disregard of depth in the secondary. Once injuries to key pieces like Amukamara and Jon Beason started impacting the squad the Giants did not have the horses to pull away from the rest of the division even as the other teams tried to give them a free road to the crown.
Washington Commanders
Last Week: Bye
Next Up: @ New England Patriots
Coming out of the bye the Commanders face multiple questions as they begin their quest to better their recent performances. The biggest questions surround the running game. That is a two fold question. Part one is can Washington fix the running game that carried them during the opening weeks. This will fall in large part on Bill Callahan and the offensive line. The other question also revolves on the battle in the trenches. The Skins need to find a way to stop opposing runners. The defensive line also started out strong but has laded fast in recent weeks. The Commanders will have to fix both problems to contend in the division.
The Commanders passing offense should get a boost with the return of DeSean Jackson. Out since Week 1, Jackson has said he's ready to go this week. Unknown is the status of injured players like DeAngelo Hall, Chris Culliver and Ryan Kerrigan. Washington will also be looking for some consistency out of Kirk Cousins who has managed to have good games and bad games, but really hasn't put together a streak of solid play.
Philadelphia Eagles
Last Week: Bye
Next Up: @ Dallas Cowboys
The Eagles defense has been the focal point of the team over the past few weeks. On Sunday they anticipate the return of one of the better pieces on Bill Davis' unit. Linebacker Kiko Alonso was lost the last time the Cowboys and Eagles met. He will rejoin Mychal Kendricks, who returned right before the bye, to strengthen the D in Philly. The pair would give Davis four healthy and capable inside linebackers as the second half of the season begins.
The Eagles are looking for the bye to provide an opportunity for passer Sam Bradford and tight end Zach Ertz to gel as a combination. The two did not have the opportunity to work during the preseason due to Ertz' core muscle injury, but they had been finding their grove of late. It is hoped that once they get in sync the two can breathe life into a struggling offense.
The Eagles were the subject of some speculation about a possible trade for Colin Kaepernick. It was also believed that they would be interested in moving Vinny Curry. Neither potential move ever took place place. Like almost everyone else in the NFL the Eagles let the trade deadline come and go without making any moves. They will roll into the closing weeks of the season with what they have on their roster.
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