Around the NFC East: Kenny Clark’s Message, Eagles Turmoil, and Giants’ Vision for the Future
Cowboys: Kenny Clark Urges Focus Over Hype
Kenny Clark has been around long enough to know that momentum means nothing without follow-through. The veteran defensive tackle, now in his first season with the Cowboys, isn’t getting caught up in the positive vibes surrounding Dallas’ recent play. He’s focused on the bigger picture - and that’s clawing their way into the playoff picture.
“It’s a lot of good momentum, but it don’t mean nothing if we don’t go out and handle business,” Clark said. And he’s absolutely right.
This time of year, every week is a gut check. There’s no room for complacency, especially for a team trying to dig itself out of a midseason hole.
Clark’s message is clear: reset, refocus, and keep proving it every Sunday. That mindset is exactly what Dallas needs in a conference where the playoff race is tightening by the day.
Eagles: Frustration Mounts as Injuries and Off-Field Issues Pile Up
It’s been a rough stretch in Philly - and the frustration is starting to boil over.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed that standout defensive tackle Jalen Carter suffered a shoulder injury in Week 13. That’s a major blow to a defense that’s already been under the microscope during the Eagles’ recent slide.
Off the field, things took an even darker turn. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s home was vandalized following the team’s second straight loss. Patullo addressed the situation, making it clear that while criticism comes with the job, personal attacks cross a line.
“We all know that part of our job is to handle criticism... But when it involves your family, it obviously crosses the line,” Patullo said. It’s a sobering reminder of the pressure cooker that is Philadelphia sports - and how quickly passion can turn toxic.
Head coach Nick Sirianni, meanwhile, is trying to steady the ship. He acknowledged that everything is on the table when it comes to fixing the offense, but stayed tight-lipped on specifics.
“Everything was being evaluated,” Sirianni said. “We’ll think about some different things... scheme, everything.”
Despite the offensive struggles, Sirianni confirmed that Patullo remains the team’s play-caller - at least for now.
The Eagles are still very much in the playoff picture, but with injuries mounting and tension rising, this is a team at a crossroads. How they respond in the coming weeks will define their season.
Giants: Schoen Stands by Dart Pick, Eyes Brighter Future
There’s been plenty of chatter about how and why the Giants drafted quarterback Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft - and whether former head coach Brian Daboll was the driving force behind the decision. But GM Joe Schoen set the record straight this week: it was a full-team call.
“Anytime you’re going to make a decision on a first-round quarterback, that’s going to be an organizational decision,” Schoen said. And that’s the right approach. You don’t roll the dice on a franchise quarterback without full alignment from the front office and coaching staff.
Now in his fourth season running the show, Schoen is 20-43-1 as GM. He’s not hiding from the record - or the mistakes.
“I’ve made mistakes,” he admitted. “Everybody’s going to make mistakes...
I’m better today than I was four years ago when I took this job.”
It’s a refreshingly honest take from a GM who knows the pressure is on. But Schoen sees reasons for optimism, starting with the young core that’s taking shape on both sides of the ball.
On offense, wide receiver Malik Nabers has been electric, putting together a rookie year that’s already being talked about in historic terms. The offensive line has foundational pieces in place, and there’s promise in the backfield and at tight end with Theo Johnson showing flashes of real potential.
Defensively, it starts in the trenches with Dexter Lawrence, but Schoen also pointed to the team’s pass rush and secondary as areas with real talent. The challenge now is putting it all together.
“There’s 11 guys on the field that need to be doing the same thing,” Schoen said. “Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do that. That starts with me.”
As the Giants prepare for another coaching search, Schoen believes the job will be an attractive one. A young quarterback, a top-tier receiver, and a defense with playmakers - there’s a foundation to build on.
But as Schoen emphasized, talent alone isn’t enough. It’s about cohesion, consistency, and culture.
Final Word
In the NFC East, there’s no shortage of storylines. The Cowboys are trying to turn momentum into a playoff push.
The Eagles are fighting through adversity on and off the field. And the Giants are laying the groundwork for what they hope is a brighter future.
December football is here - and the margin for error is shrinking by the day.