Week 2 left the NFC East limping into September, and the quarterback injuries are now the headline hanging over the whole division. Jaxson Dart and Jayden Daniels both went down with knee and elbow injuries, respectively, and the source material says either one could have played his final game of 2026. At the very least, both are expected to miss significant time, which could reshape the Giants, the Commanders and the division race itself.
That’s a brutal turn for Washington and New York, but it doesn’t mean the rest of the East is in the clear. Philadelphia and Dallas came into 2026 as the consensus favorites, yet neither has looked fully comfortable.
The Cowboys already lost to the Giants in Week 1 and are still dealing with defensive concerns. The Eagles are unbeaten, but both wins have gone right down to the wire against the Commanders and Titans, who are a combined 0-4.
Philadelphia’s offense is still a work in progress, but the important part is that the Eagles haven’t taken a loss while sorting it out. If the rhythm comes later and the early-season growing pains never hit the standings, that could make them a very difficult team to reel in.
The division table after Week 2 reflects that balance of survival and instability:
- Philadelphia Eagles 2-0 (1-0)
- New York Giants 1-1 (1-0)
- Dallas Cowboys 1-1 (1-1)
- Washington Commanders 0-2 (0-2)
This week gives the Eagles another favorable setup, with Chicago coming to town. Caleb Williams has avoided a major injury and is not ruled out for Monday night, but the source notes that it may not make sense to throw him into a matchup with Philadelphia’s defensive front. With it still early in the season, Ben Johnson is expected to take the long view and give Williams more time.
If that happens, the Eagles may end up facing Case Keenum, Chicago’s third-string quarterback, because Tyson Bagent still hasn’t cleared concussion protocol. A 14-year veteran stepping in under those conditions would leave the Bears with a lot less firepower, even at home, and that makes it much harder to keep pace with Philadelphia.
The Giants, meanwhile, couldn’t ask for a cleaner spot for Jameis Winston’s first start of the year. Hosting the 0-2 Titans gives New York a chance to stay above .500 and rebuild some confidence around both the team and its quarterback, who is expected to be QB1 for at least the next few months.
Washington doesn’t get that kind of break. Marcus Mariota and the Commanders have to deal with the 2-0 Seahawks, and Seattle may be getting Sam Darnold back.
Even if that doesn’t happen, Drew Lock has handled backup duty without problems so far. Either quarterback should have a chance to produce against Washington’s struggling defense, while Seattle’s defense is set up to make life miserable for Mariota and first-time offensive coordinator David Blough.
The toughest assignment of the week may belong to Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker. Dallas and Baltimore are meeting in Brazil, and Parker is now trying to piece together a plan with several starters and key role players missing. That’s a heavy lift with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry on the other side.
With Dallas and Philadelphia looking like the main contenders again, this week could widen the gap. The Eagles appear on track to move to 3-0, and that would add even more pressure on Brian Schottenheimer’s Cowboys to answer in South America.
In Other News...
Cowboys Fans Wont Like What The NFL Did To Jake Ferguson
Jake Fergusons Week 2 celebration has turned into a league office issue, with the Cowboys tight end fined $13,611 by the NFL for what was deemed an offensive gesture after he appeared to imitate shotgunning a beer. The moment drew attention in the aftermath of the game, and now Ferguson is dealing with the kind of offseason-style discipline that can follow even a brief celebration on Sundays.
Ferguson plans to appeal, which keeps the matter from being fully settled just yet, and it adds another line to a growing list of Cowboys-related fines this season. The NFL has handed out similar penalties to other players as well, but for Dallas fans, the frustration is less about the league being consistent than about seeing another team regular flagged for something that happened in the heat of the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Quarterback Search Takes A Turn Ravens Fans Should Notice
The Giants quarterback search has taken another quiet turn after the season-ending injury to their starter, with the team now sorting through both short-term stability and longer-term depth. Jameis Winston is set to start for now, but the front office is still surveying the market as it tries to make sure the position is covered beyond the immediate fix.
One name floating in the background is Joe Milton, who remains on the Cowboys practice squad, though Josina Anderson reported the Giants have not made any formal move to acquire him. For Dallas, it is another reminder that quarterback speculation can hover around the roster even when nothing is imminent, and for the Giants the situation is still fluid as they weigh whether to stay patient or act before the picture gets any clearer. [Read more 🡒]
Cowboys Already Have A Draft Fit Fans Will Want To Watch
The Cowboys early-season defensive issues have already put a spotlight on the middle of the line, where run defense has been leaky and coverage has not been clean enough behind it. With that in mind, a fresh 2027 mock draft from SI.com points Dallas toward a name that fits the problem pretty neatly: Ole Miss defensive tackle Will Echoles, a disruptive interior presence who has drawn attention for his versatility.
Echoles has made enough noise this college season to be viewed as one of the top interior defenders in the next draft class, and that kind of profile is exactly why he stands out for the Cowboys. Dallas does not need another long-term project in the middle so much as a player who can help tighten the front and create more havoc, which is why this is one draft fit worth keeping on the radar as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]