Headed toward the final stretch, the 2022 NFL season will be determined as much by the wind, rain, and snow as by the past performances of the teams.
To say things get harder from here is an understatement. Injuries mount, depth charts are tested, and the fate of an entire season teeters on each win or loss.
Two of the four NFC East teams got a break from action this week; while some players rested and stayed ready for next week, others took time away from the team. At least one player suffered a significant non-football injury that puts his team in an unenviable position.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8–0, 2–0 division)
NFL Rank per NFL.com: 1 (+1)
Week 9 Result: 29–17 win at Houston Texans
The Eagles continue their march, helping ease the Phillies fans’ pain after a tough World Series loss. At 8–0, Nick Siriani has the Eagles off to the best start for the franchise. Ever.
That’s saying something for a team that seems to be coming together as the most complete in the league.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts is getting the calls he needs to maximize his wealth of athleticism. Moreover, his accurate passing intimidates, threatening that the second-year man out of OU may just bust off a big run at any time.
Against the lowly Texans, the Eagles did what they had to do — scored points and limited mistakes.
Jalen Hurts threw for 243 yards, missing on only six passes all day. He added another 23 yards on the ground to back up Miles Sanders, who was just a few steps from a 100-yard ground performance.
The Eagles are setting the benchmark in the NFC; will their next opponent bring this high-flying team back to roost?
The Eagles face division-rival Washington on Monday Night Football in Week 10.
2. Dallas Cowboys (6–2, 2–1 division)
NFL.com Rank: 4 (no change)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Coming out of the break, Dallas will look to reinforce the team’s successes in recent weeks by keeping the ground game churning with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard. Elliott is expected to be ready to go after missing Week 8; meanwhile, Pollard is having a breakout season as the No.2 back.
The break should give some of the offensive weapons an opportunity to get right. Rumors continue to swirl that one of the game’s all-time greats might be just a signature and a few weeks of rehab from joining America’s Team.
The Dallas defense will continue to be the focus of success for this team. Some of the numerous outstanding performances are recognized across the league; others have been somewhat under the radar.
Dallas is getting ready to begin one of the more challenging stretches of the season as they face head coach Mike McCarthy’s former team at Green Bay on Sunday. Then tilts with the NFC North-leading Vikings will be followed by a division showdown against the Giants to wrap up November.
3. New York Giants (6–2, 01 division)
NFL.com Rank: 13 (-2)
Week 9 Result: Bye
Injuries to key players are an unfortunate experience that every team goes through sooner or later, but when those injuries happen off the field, it drives coaches mad. Head coach Brian Daboll likely has plenty to be livid about with starting Xavier McKinney.
The third-season safety took off to Baja California during the bye only to suffer a broken hand in an ATV accident that will sideline the defensive captain and play-caller for at least several weeks.
With McKinney down, the Giants will need to demonstrate that they have the depth and resilience to find ways to finish close games with wins. With the top three teams in the NFC East all playing at league-leading levels, even a slight misstep by Big Blue could spell doom in 2022.
The Giants take on the Houston Texans on Sunday.
4. Washington Commanders (4–5, 0–2 division)
NFL.com Rank: 25 (no change)
Week 9 Result: 20–17 loss vs. Minnesota Vikings
Despite the low record and inability to finish close games, the Commanders are probably one of the more interesting teams in the NFC this season. With career stick-in-the-mud Taylor Heinicke under center while Carson Wentz recovers from injury, the Commanders put together a not-bad product, something that cannot be said for many other teams bringing up the bottom of their respective divisions.
Short of one or two mistakes, the Commanders had an opportunity to upset the NFC North-leading Vikings and nearly delivered the team only its second loss of the season. An ill-timed overthrown pass by Heinicke — resulting in an interception and the game-tying score in the fourth quarter — and the defense’s inability to exit the field on the last drive of the game kept the Commanders from getting to .500.
Washington looks to recover with a pivotal Monday Night game against the NFC East-leading Eagles.
