The NFC East just got a whole lot more interesting.
After the Philadelphia Eagles dropped their third straight game - this time in a tough overtime loss to the Los Angeles Chargers - the division race is suddenly wide open. The Eagles now sit at 8-5, and while they still lead the division, the Dallas Cowboys are lurking, and team owner Jerry Jones isn’t hiding his excitement.
“Real excited,” Jones said Tuesday morning on 105.3 The Fan. “They didn’t even need to put any fuel in the plane.
I flew up here on my own. We sure got a shot at this thing.”
That "thing" is the NFC East crown, and after a chaotic Week 14, it’s very much up for grabs.
Eagles Stumble in L.A.
Let’s start with the Eagles, who came into Monday night’s matchup with the Chargers desperate to stop the bleeding after back-to-back losses to the Cowboys and Bears. Statistically, they did a lot right - 365 total yards (90 more than the Chargers), more first downs (19 to 16), and a better average per play (5.5 to 3.9). But the scoreboard told a different story.
The difference? Execution in the critical moments.
Jalen Hurts was picked off four times - a career-high - and the Eagles came up empty in both of their red-zone trips. Meanwhile, the Chargers controlled the tempo, holding the ball for over 38 minutes.
That’s nearly 10 more minutes than Philly, and it showed. The Eagles' defense was gassed late, and the Chargers took full advantage in overtime.
Cowboys Still in the Mix
The Cowboys didn’t do themselves any favors earlier in the week, falling to the Detroit Lions in a game that dropped them to 6-6-1. That record had many assuming the Eagles were still in the driver’s seat. But with Philly’s latest misstep, the door is wide open again.
Jones knows it. And with four games left, the Cowboys have a real shot to make a run - but it won’t be easy.
The Road Ahead
Both teams have four games remaining, and both face at least one serious test down the stretch.
Eagles' Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs.
Raiders (2-11)
- Week 16: at Commanders (3-10)
- Week 17: at Bills (9-4)
- Week 18: vs.
Commanders (3-10)
On paper, the Eagles have a favorable schedule. Three of their final four opponents have three wins or fewer.
But that Week 17 trip to Buffalo looms large. And after three straight losses, nothing can be taken for granted.
Cowboys' Remaining Schedule:
- Week 15: vs.
Vikings (5-8)
- Week 16: vs.
Chargers (9-4)
- Week 17: at Commanders (3-10)
- Week 18: at Giants (2-11)
Dallas has a similar path. The Chargers will be the biggest hurdle, and that game could end up being a make-or-break moment. But the final two weeks - road games against struggling division rivals - offer a chance to finish strong if the Cowboys handle business.
Who Takes the East?
This is the kind of late-season drama the NFC East has become known for. The Eagles still lead, but their margin for error is shrinking fast. The Cowboys, despite a rocky season, are very much alive - and they’ve got momentum on their side after handing Philly one of those three straight losses.
Jones isn’t just talking for the sake of soundbites. The Cowboys have a legitimate shot.
But they’ll need to clean things up quickly and capitalize on the Eagles’ recent slide. The next four weeks will be a test of resilience, execution, and who can rise when the pressure hits hardest.
Buckle up - this division race is far from over.