Tag: 2022 New York Giants

NFC East unimpressive in Week 15

It wasn’t the best week for the NFC East in Week 15.

All season the NFC East has shone brightly above the other seven divisions.

Until Week 15. Last Sunday, the Giants and Commanders played a hard-fought, competitive game. However each team further revealed they are limited offensively, they are going to battle for a playoff spot, but both teams look like they will be overmatched in a playoff game.

The Eagles won a battle defeating the Bears in Chicago, but might they have lost the war to come later in the playoffs with quarterback Jalen Hurts injuring his shoulder?

Dallas is fighting the Eagles for the NFC East title and managed to somehow lose to the Jaguars in overtime?

The Eagles now travel to face the Cowboys on Christmas Eve at AT&T stadium, and it looks like Hurts will not start for the Eagles Saturday. X-Rays were negative on the Hurts shoulder, but it cannot be overlooked; this is his throwing shoulder.

Suddenly, the Eagles may be led by Gardner Minshew in the next few weeks. How significant of a drop-off will occur in the Eagles’ offense? If the Eagles win one of their final three games, they will be the NFC overall top seed in the playoffs.

Dallas’ Micah Parsons last week was talking down Hurts, and the Dallas defense Sunday revealed they indeed were thinking about the Eagles and not entirely prepared for the Jaguars. Consequently, the Cowboys blew a 17-point lead, and Dak Prescott threw two huge picks, and the game was lost to the Jags.

Dallas has been the most impressive team in the NFL, crushing the Vikings in Minnesota. But the other side of the coin is just as true: Prescott since returning from his injury has the most interceptions in the NFL (10). Additionally, he has the most interceptions in the last four weeks (7).

Suddenly, has the NFC East fallen back to the rest of the pack?

When they last met: Washington and NY Giants

The Commanders and Giants last met — two weeks ago.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Washington 20, New York Giants 20 – Week 13, Dec. 04, 2022

Former Washington Redskin and current New York Giants kicker Graham Gano’s 58-yard field goal attempt missed as time expired in the overtime period, resulting in a 20-20 tie for the Commanders and Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The Commanders had scored their first two possessions jumping out to a 10-0 lead. However, in their first possession, on a 1st & 10 at the NYG 22, Taylor Heinicke missed a wide-open Logan Thomas for what should have been a touchdown. Washington settled for a 21-yard Joey Slye field goal to take a 3-0 lead.

For the next two full quarters, the Commanders were outplayed by the Giants 20-3 as the Giants drove 45, 81, 66 and 20 yards scoring on four consecutive possessions.

When the Commanders began a fourth-quarter possession at their own 10-yard line, only 3:53 remained on the game clock, with the Commanders down 20-13.

Heinicke rose his level of play, completing passes of 11 yards to Terry McLaurin, 6 yards to Curtis Samuel, and on 4th & 4 from the Washington 27, he again found Samuel for 20 yards to the Commanders’ 47.

Again it was Heinicke to Samuel, this time for 25 yards to the NYG 28 and a first down. On the next play Heinicke found Jahan Dotson, who spun his way to a 28-yard touchdown tying the game 20-20 with 1:45 remaining.

Washington’s last three possessions (one in regulation, two in overtime) all resulted in Tress Way punts. The Commanders allowed Heinicke to be sacked five times and hit 10 times by the Giants.

Brian Robinson Jr. rushed for 96 yards in 21 carries while Terry McLaurin had 105 receiving yards in eight receptions and Curtis Samuel’s six receptions totaled 63 yards.

Slye missed a 52-yard field goal with 10:12 remaining and Washington trailing 20-13.

 

 

Commanders and Giants to battle for NFC playoff spot

It’s been a while since Washington and New York have played meaningful December football against one another.

It’s been 7 NFL seasons since Washington and New York played meaningful, important games in December against each other.

The Commanders, on Sunday, go to New York to face the Giants (7-4) who are in the 6th position, one-half game ahead of Washington. The oddity of the Washington schedule is going to be magnified greatly because both teams are unexpectedly in playoff contention as we enter December.

Consequently, Washington will play at the Giants on Dec. 4, enjoy its bye week on Dec. 11 and then turn right around and host the Giants in their next game on Dec. 18. Thus, both games will have large playoff implications, and for both teams.

The last time Washington and the Giants faced each other late in the season with both teams in playoff contention was 2016.  The Giants (10-5) had locked up a spot in the NFC playoffs. They traveled to meet Washington (8-6-1) at FedEx Field. The game meant everything for Washington, who with a win, would qualify for the playoffs. Yet, it was the Giants who from the opening kickoff, played with motivation and purpose, ending Washington’s season with a 19-10 victory.

This season the Giants have lost both of their games within the division, having lost twice to Dallas. Washington is 1-2 within the division, having lost to Philadelphia and at Dallas and defeating the Eagles in Philadelphia. Washington is 4-4 in the conference, while the Giants are 3-4 against the NFC.

If you are interested, Washington has the higher strength of schedule (.515 – .456) and also the higher strength of victory over the Giants (.395 -.381).

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NFC East keeps rolling, goes 3-1 in Week 12

Yet another banner week for the NFC East.

The NFC East continues to outperform all expectations, again going 3-1 in Week 12.

The Giants were the only divisional team to lose, falling 28-20 to the Cowboys in Dallas on Thanksgiving.

The Eagles outscored the Packers 40-33 and the Commanders survived the Falcons 19-13.

  • Eagles 10-1
  • Cowboys 8-3
  • Giants 7-4
  • Commanders 7-5

If the season had ended after Week 12, it would mark the first time in NFL history that all four teams in a division qualified for the playoffs. But of course, it is also just as true that this is only the third season where seven teams from each conference will qualify and participate in the playoffs.

NFC East goes 3-1 in Week 11

It was yet another strong week for the NFC East.

The NFC East (29-12) continued its run of having the best record of the divisions in the NFL, winning three of four in Week 11.

The AFC East (26-14) also has each of its teams with a winning record. However, with the Eagles being two games better than the Dolphins and Bills, the NFC East still holds the edge.

Dallas was super impressive going to Minnesota and kicking the Vikings 40-3. It was hands down the most impressive victory by an NFL team thus far in 2022.

The Eagles scored late to escape Indianapolis with a 17-16 win, while Washington went to Houston and shut down the Texans 23-10.

However, the Giants were disappointing, losing at home to the Lions 31-18.

  • Eagles 9-1
  • Cowboys 7-3
  • Giants 7-3
  • Commanders 6-5

NFC East continues to have best record in NFL

It was another banner week for the NFC East, led by the Commanders’ upset over the Eagles.

The NFC East has each team at .500 or better. Incidentally, in the AFC East, each team has a winning record. However, seeing both Philadelphia and New York have better records than all AFC East teams, the NFC East still has the best overall record through Week 10.

Dallas led Green Bay at Lambeau 28-14 in the second half, but the Cowboys were outscored 17-0 down the stretch, falling to the Packers 31-28.

Washington went up to Philly and surprised the undefeated Eagles 32-21, while the Giants took over second place in the division with their 24-16 win over the Texans.

  • Eagles 8-1
  • Giants 7-2
  • Cowboys 6-3
  • Commanders 5-5

 

NFC East goes 3-1 in Week 8

It was another banner week for the NFC East.

The NFC East continues to shine, winning three of four games in NFL Week 8.

The Eagles remained undefeated rolling the Steelers, the Cowboys owned the Bears, the Commanders came from behind late in Indianapolis to win, and the Giants lost on the road to NFC West leader Seattle.

  • Eagles 7-0
  • Cowboys 6-2
  • Giants 6-2
  • Commanders 4-4

NFC East goes 3-0 in Week 7

Another stellar week for the NFC East. The best division in the NFL?

Is there any doubt the NFC East is the NFL’s best division seven weeks through this season?

The Commanders topped the Packers, the Giants won in Jacksonville, and the Cowboys easily defeated the Lions. Only the Eagles did not win, but that was because they were scheduled for their bye week.

  • Eagles 6-0
  • Giants 6-1
  • Cowboys 5-2
  • Commanders 3-4

NFC East Week 4 preview

We preview Week 4 around the NFC East.

  • Eagles 3-0
  • Cowboys 2-1
  • Giants 2-1
  • Commanders 1-2

 

PHILADELPHIA

The Eagles sit atop the division and this week play host to the surprising Jaguars who went out to Los Angeles in Week 3 and crushed the Chargers 38-10.

Jalen Hurts leads the Eagles passing offense which is currently 3rd in the NFL with 296.7 YPG.

The Eagles display effective offensive balance ranking 7th earning 150 YPG.

DALLAS

After losing Dak Prescott, the Cowboys have won both of their games and are understandably favored this week at home against Washington, who has lost their last two, being outscored 46-0 in the first half of those two games.

In addition, the Cowboys have received great news as Michael Gallup, Dalton Schultz and Connor McGovern are expected to return for the offense while Jayron Kearse is expected to be back on the defense.

Cowboys QB Cooper Rush has the eighth-highest DVOA overall at 18.8% while Washington’s Carson Wentz ranks 26th at -19.8%.

The Cowboys are fourth in the NFL in rushing offense at 16.2% with both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard placing in the top 10 in DVOA. The Commanders are far behind in rushing the ball, ranking 25th with a -24.8%.

Yet, the most glaring difference in the two teams thus far might actually be the Cowboys’ front 7 on defense has looked and performed far superior to Washington’s offensive line.

NEW YORK

The Giants are hosting the Bears in a contest between two 2-1 teams. The Giants are going to be without wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Wan’Dale Robinson. Even more, they will miss the play of defensive lineman Leonard Williams, who was also listed out.

The Giants defeated the Titans and the Panthers the first two weeks before falling to the Cowboys on Monday night at home.

The Bears upset San Francisco in Week 1, then fell to the Packers in Week 2. This past Sunday, the Bears defeated the Texans 23-20.

WASHINGTON

The Commanders’ offense yielded an embarrassing 17 QB hits to the Eagles in a 24-8 romp in Week 3. That same offensive line now must face the Dallas Cowboys front 7 which includes Micah Parsons, DeMarcus Lawrence and Dorance Armstrong, Jr.

Even more, Wes Schweitzer is out for Sunday, and Charles Leno has been battling a bad shoulder and is questionable.

Carson Wentz was sacked 9 times by the Eagles and endured 17 QB hits. He has thrown 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. However, Wentz has apparently not seen the field well, taking 15 sacks and his QBR is down to 40.4.

 

Around the NFC East in Week 3

The Eagles stand alone atop the NFC East with a 3-0 record.

The Eagles and Cowboys were big winners in Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season, as the four NFC East teams faced off against each other.

Both the Eagles and Cowboys not only won their games against the Commanders and Giants respectively, but both wins were on the road.

  • Eagles 3-0
  • Cowboys 2-1
  • Giants 2-1
  • Commanders 1-2