Week 2 shook up the NFC East just enough to make the first set of power rankings look shaky, but not enough to flip the whole division on its head.
Philadelphia is still the only undefeated team in the group, Dallas answered its opening-week loss with a convincing divisional win, Washington slid to 0-2 and lost Jayden Daniels to a dislocated elbow injury, and the Giants followed their strong start with a rough night in Los Angeles. Nobody is safe yet, and the early order feels more fragile than settled.
Here’s where things stand entering Week 3 of the 2026 season:
- Giants: 1-1, 1-0 in the division, 34 points for, 48 against, minus-14
- Eagles: 2-0, 1-0 in the division, 48 points for, 42 against, plus-6
- Cowboys: 1-1, 1-1 in the division, 57 points for, 48 against, plus-9
- Commanders: 0-2, 0-2 in the division, 42 points for, 61 against, minus-19
Week 2 results:
- Giants lost to the Rams 28-6
- Eagles beat the Titans 24-20
- Cowboys beat the Commanders 37-20
Philadelphia stays at No. 1, but the margin is getting uncomfortable. The Eagles escaped Tennessee with a 24-20 win that required a last-minute drive, and that’s the kind of finish that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence even if the record says 2-0. They got the job done, but barely.
The Giants remain second because their Week 1 head-to-head win over Dallas still matters. That said, there wasn’t much in Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Rams that helps their case.
New York produced only 182 yards of offense, put up just six points, and left Los Angeles dealing with injuries to arguably its top four players. Jaxson Dart’s injury is a major factor heading into next week’s rankings.
For now, the Giants keep their spot, but the cushion is gone.
Dallas moves up to No. 3 after a much-needed rebound. After opening the season at the bottom of these rankings, the Cowboys responded by blowing past Washington 37-20.
Dak Prescott was sharp, throwing for 279 yards and four touchdowns, and the defense looked more locked in under DC Christian Parker. The season-opening loss to the Giants still keeps Dallas behind New York for now, but this was the kind of performance that reminds the rest of the division what the Cowboys can do when they’re clicking.
Washington drops to last after a brutal night against Dallas. The Commanders were beaten 37-20 and also saw Daniels go down with that dislocated elbow injury, a blow that could keep them stuck in the basement until he returns.
Daniels wasn’t exactly filling it up before the injury, either, and that leaves Dan Quinn with a defense that already looks shaky and an offense that needs more juice. Prescott and Lamb had their way, and Washington is now staring at an 0-2 start with plenty of problems to sort out.
In Other News...
Giants QB Search Already Hit One Very Public Dead End
The Giants quarterback search has quickly become one of the leagues more watched side stories after Jaxson Darts season-ending knee injury left the team scrambling for answers. Jameis Winston is the current primary option, but the usual swirl of names followed almost immediately, with Shedeur Sanders and Jimmy Garoppolo both surfacing as possible alternatives as New York looks for stability under center.
One of those possibilities, at least publicly, has already gone nowhere. Derek Carr, who retired and has spent his time away from football focusing on personal interests like gaming, has dismissed any notion of a comeback, knocking down the kind of rumor that tends to follow a team when it is searching for help at quarterback. For the Giants, it is a reminder that finding a viable solution may be easier to discuss than to actually secure. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Suddenly Have A Familiar Quarterback Decision To Make
The Giants are back in the market for quarterback help after Jaxson Dart was ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and the timing has quickly turned a familiar name into a possible solution. One of the options being discussed is a trade for Tommy DeVito, now with the New England Patriots, as the team sorts through how to shore up the spot behind its current starter.
DeVito would bring something the Giants value in this kind of emergency, namely NFL reps and some comfort with the organizations overall environment. He has played in 12 games and made eight starts, completing 65.3 percent of his passes with eight touchdowns and three interceptions, which is enough to make him a credible backup candidate while the Giants decide how aggressive they want to be. [Read more 🡒]
Jaxson Dart Gave Giants Fans One Reason To Smile This Week
The Giants got a sobering update on Jaxson Dart this week, with the rookie quarterbacks left knee injury serious enough to require surgery and end his 2026 season. The damage includes his MCL, PCL and meniscus, while the ACL remains intact, and head coach John Harbaugh confirmed Dart will miss the regular season as Jameis Winston steps into the starting role.
Even with the long recovery ahead, there was at least one encouraging note for Giants fans to hang onto: Harbaugh said Dart has a slim chance to return if the team reaches the playoffs. It is hardly the kind of news anyone wanted to be discussing after the injury, but in a season suddenly without its young quarterback, even a small opening can feel meaningful. [Read more 🡒]