The NFC East’s first month has produced a leaderboard nobody would have predicted, with the Giants sitting on top at 3-1 after four weeks and the rest of the division chasing from behind.
That’s the headline, but it comes with a catch. New York’s margin is slim, and the record doesn’t scream dominance.
The Giants have beaten opponents whose combined record is 3-9, and their only win over a team viewed as a contender before the season came in the opener against Dallas. Still, they are 3-1, and that matters.
John Harbaugh’s arrival in the NFC East already had people paying attention, and his group has kept winning even after losing QB1 Jaxson Dart to injury. The Giants have gone 2-0 since that setback, which is no small thing. If they’re still in the race in December, Harbaugh would be in strong position to make a real run at Coach of the Year.
The bigger story might be that New York is leading because the Eagles and Cowboys have let the door stay open. Philadelphia has dropped two straight, first to the Bears without Caleb Williams and then at home against the Rams. That Week 3 loss was the uglier one, but the bigger picture is still rough for a team that suddenly has some real tension around it.
Lane Johnson’s sudden retirement only adds to the pressure on Nick Sirianni and Jalen Hurts. With a longtime leader and starting right tackle gone, the Eagles have another hole to manage while trying to steady themselves.
Here’s where the division stands after Week 4:
- New York Giants 3-1 (1-0)
- Philadelphia Eagles 2-2 (1-0)
- Dallas Cowboys 2-2 (1-1)
- Washington Commanders 1-3 (0-2)
That said, the standings and the power rankings don’t line up perfectly. If you’re judging the division by overall strength and where each team might finish, Philadelphia still sits first, Dallas second, New York third, and Washington fourth.
And yes, that means the Cowboys are still being placed ahead of the Giants despite New York’s win over them four weeks ago. That’s a fair debate, but it’s also early. A one-score home win doesn’t suddenly turn the Giants into a powerhouse, and losing Dart changes the equation for the rest of the season.
Quarterback health is going to shape this division all week long. It starts Thursday night in Dallas, where the Cowboys try to build on their season against the Buccaneers. Dak Prescott has been playing well, and Tampa Bay will be without Baker Mayfield, instead turning to undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels on a short week.
For Dallas, this is the kind of game that can swing a season. At 2-2, the Cowboys need to avoid letting a winnable matchup slip away. A move to 3-1, followed by extra rest before a trip to Green Bay, would give them real momentum heading deeper into 2026.
The Giants, meanwhile, have a chance to add to their division lead with a road game against Washington. Jayden Daniels is expected to return for the Commanders, which gives Washington the advantage at the game’s most important position. Whether that’s enough to beat New York is another question entirely - and one Dallas and Philadelphia will be watching closely.
As for the Eagles, they’re the team with the toughest immediate assignment. They head to London to face the 3-1 Jaguars, and Trevor Lawrence has been one of the best quarterbacks in 2026 so far. That sets up a direct comparison with Hurts, and another chance for Philadelphia to prove it can get back on track.
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