Eagles Break the Curse, Clinch Back-to-Back NFC East Titles for First Time in 21 Years
For the first time in over two decades, the NFC East has a repeat champion - and it’s the Philadelphia Eagles who’ve finally broken the cycle. With Saturday’s win over the Washington Commanders, Philly clinched the division for the second straight season, becoming the first team to go back-to-back since their own run from 2001 to 2004.
That’s 21 years of chaos, parity, and pure unpredictability - all hallmarks of a division that’s been as entertaining as it’s been maddening. The NFC East has long been the NFL’s wild card, where preseason predictions go to die and anything can happen on a given Sunday.
Over the past two decades, no team could hold onto the crown for more than a year. That streak wasn’t just unusual - it was unprecedented.
And now, it’s officially over.
What made the streak so compelling wasn’t just the turnover at the top - it was the drama that came with it. One year, a team would look like a juggernaut.
The next, they’d be spiraling into dysfunction. But even amid the chaos, the division still delivered on the league’s biggest stage.
The Giants won two Super Bowls (2007, 2011), the Eagles claimed their first Lombardi in 2017 and added a second in 2024. The Cowboys?
They tied the Eagles for the most division titles during the streak with seven - but never made it past the Divisional Round. That’s the NFC East in a nutshell: full of talent, always dramatic, and never predictable.
The end of this streak doesn’t just mark a statistical milestone - it’s the closing chapter of one of the NFL’s most bizarre and entertaining eras. For fans who’ve lived through the highs, lows, and constant turnover, it’s bittersweet. The NFC East was football’s version of controlled chaos, and for two decades, it was must-watch TV.
Now, with the Eagles asserting themselves as the clear top dog - at least for now - the question shifts. Is this the start of a new dynasty in Philly? Or just a brief moment of stability before the division returns to its unpredictable roots?
Ravens Collapse Late, Leave Derrick Henry on the Sideline
The Baltimore Ravens had a golden opportunity to solidify their playoff standing Sunday night. Up 24-13 in the fourth quarter against the Patriots, they were in control - until they weren’t. New England stormed back, Baltimore’s defense faltered, and the Ravens let another late lead slip away.
But the most head-scratching part? Derrick Henry, who had already racked up 128 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, didn’t get a single touch in the fourth quarter.
Not one. The same guy who had bulldozed his way through the Patriots' front seven for three quarters was suddenly MIA when the Ravens needed to close out the game.
Afterward, head coach John Harbaugh was left trying to explain the unexplainable. His answer - something about sticking to a predetermined rotation - didn’t do much to calm the frustration.
When your season is hanging in the balance, and you’ve got a future Hall of Famer running like his prime self, you don’t rotate. You ride the hot hand.
You give the ball to your closer.
Now, Baltimore’s season is teetering. Two games left, two games back in the division, and not much room for error. It’s a painful loss, made worse by the feeling that it didn’t have to go down this way.
Quick Hits from a Wild Weekend in Sports
- DK Metcalf and the Fan Incident: Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf appeared to take a swing at a Lions fan during Sunday’s game. The NFL is reviewing the incident, and depending on what league officials determine, Metcalf could be facing a significant penalty. Emotions run high in this sport, but contact with fans is a line the league doesn’t take lightly.
- Lions’ Last-Second Heartbreak: Detroit suffered a gut-punch loss to the Steelers, and the ending was as brutal as they come. A game-losing offensive pass interference call sealed the deal - and the way the ref made the call only added to the sting. It’s the kind of moment that sticks with a team heading into the final stretch.
- Tom Brady Finds His Voice in the Booth: After a rocky start to his broadcasting career, Tom Brady has settled in. He’s showing the polish and poise fans expected from the GOAT, and this season, he’s started to sound like a natural behind the mic. It’s clear he’s been putting in the work - and it’s paying off.
- Jake Paul Suffers Broken Jaw in KO Loss: The weekend’s fight card kicked off with a bang - or, more accurately, a knockout. Anthony Joshua dropped Jake Paul in a bout that left Paul with a broken jaw and a trip to the operating room. Surgery followed, and while Paul’s future in the ring is uncertain, the loss was a statement from Joshua.
From playoff races to sideline drama to unexpected knockouts, this weekend had a little bit of everything. And with just a few weeks left in the regular season, the intensity is only going to ramp up. Buckle up.