Around the NFC East: Frustration Mounts in Dallas, Resilience in Philly, and Confusion in New York
With just three games left in the regular season, the NFC East is feeling the weight of unmet expectations, injury frustrations, and playoff pressure. Let’s take a closer look at where things stand for the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants - and how players and coaches are reacting as the postseason picture begins to take shape.
Dallas Cowboys: A Team Searching for Answers
Dak Prescott didn’t mince words when asked about the Cowboys’ current situation - and you could hear the frustration in every syllable.
“Definitely surprised,” Prescott admitted, reflecting on the team’s rollercoaster ride this season. “Especially after the bye week, the trades, getting on a roll like we did for those few weeks, and then watching the confidence just skyrocket.”
He’s not wrong - for a stretch, Dallas looked like a team ready to make a deep run. They were stopping opponents, lighting up the scoreboard, even clawing back from a 21-point deficit. But now, with the season winding down and the playoff path suddenly murky, the mood has shifted.
“To be in this position… just reminds you that every play matters,” Prescott said. “It’s a hard game.
Those guys get paid too. They practice just like we do.”
That’s the reality of the NFL - every inch is earned, and no lead is safe. Prescott called this “one of the toughest ones” he’s been a part of, and it’s clear the sting of missed opportunities is setting in.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones echoed that disappointment. When asked if the team had underachieved, his answer was as direct as it gets: “Yes. Yes.”
Jones had envisioned a different December - one where Dallas wasn’t “behind the eight ball” with three games left. “It’s very disappointing,” he said.
“I’m disappointed for our fans. I’m disappointed for these players.”
Jones pointed to Minnesota as the team that “did the best job out there on both sides of the ball,” a nod to the Cowboys’ recent struggles to match that level of execution. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, this isn’t where they expected to be.
And then there’s the situation with cornerback Trevon Diggs, who says he’s ready to return - but the team doesn’t seem to agree.
“I know I’m healthy enough to play,” Diggs said. “I’ve been ready. I’m just waiting on my opportunity.”
Diggs has been practicing well and believes he’s shown enough to get back on the field. But the final call isn’t his, and for now, he remains on the sidelines, adding another layer of tension to a team already feeling the pressure.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Hurts Keeps Commanding the Huddle
While Dallas is trying to figure out what went wrong, the Eagles are leaning into what’s been working - and at the center of it all is Jalen Hurts.
“He’s resilient. Always has been,” said head coach Nick Sirianni, praising his quarterback’s poise and leadership.
Hurts didn’t light up the stat sheet, but Sirianni pointed to his command of the offense, smart decision-making, and physicality in the run game as key factors in his solid performance. This is what the Eagles have come to expect from Hurts - a steady hand who can keep the offense moving, even when the pressure ramps up.
Meanwhile, the league handed out fines to two Eagles players: tight end Cameron Latu was docked $4,666 for using his helmet, and safety Andre’ Sam was fined $4,741 for the same infraction. It’s a reminder that physical play still comes with a cost - especially in today’s NFL, where player safety is under the microscope.
New York Giants: Jaxson Dart Left Wondering What Happened
In New York, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart found himself unexpectedly pulled from the game for a concussion check - and he’s still not sure why.
The play in question? A busted trick pass that forced Dart to scramble.
He didn’t take a massive hit, didn’t feel dazed, and didn’t expect to be pulled. But the officials thought otherwise.
“I didn’t want to make a bad play even worse by forcing the ball, so I just tried to get back to the line of scrimmage,” Dart explained. “I’m not really sure what the reason was I had to come out of the game. It was really just… weird.”
This isn’t the first time Dart’s been caught off guard by a medical check, but this one clearly left him scratching his head.
“Definitely surprised. It didn’t feel like it was that big of a hit at all.”
For a Giants team trying to evaluate young talent and build something sustainable, moments like these can be frustrating. Dart wants to compete, and every snap matters - especially when you’re trying to prove you belong.
Final Word
As the regular season winds down, the NFC East is a study in contrast. The Cowboys are battling disappointment, the Eagles are leaning into their identity, and the Giants are navigating the growing pains of a young quarterback. There’s still time for things to shift - but for now, emotions are running high, and every play, every decision, and every game feels bigger than the last.