In the NFL, Week 1 performances rarely demonstrate how well a team will handle the season, but by Week 2, some teams begin to trend in the right direction. Others show fatal flaws in Week 2 that indicate serious issues as the season wears on.
While it is still only the infancy of the season, some of the NFC East teams have some extra reps to put in this week to remain relevant, with all four teams facing head-to-head battles in Week 3.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (2-0, 0-0 Division)
Week 1 Rank: 1 | NFL Rank per NFL.com: 3 (+7)
Week 2 Result: 24-7 Win vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Philadelphia Eagles are making a statement that they deserve to be feared in the NFC. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is showing promise that the athleticism that made him a star at OU is translating into skills at the sport’s highest level. He was 26 of 31 for 333 yards, one touchdown, an interception, and a fumble that was recovered by the Eagles.
While Hurts and the offense did their thing, the Eagles’ defense is showing itself to be a predatory animal. Darius Slay had five pass defenses and ultimately recorded two interceptions in the game.
In all, the Eagles recorded three interceptions, a fumble recovery, and sacked Kirk Cousins twice. The Eagles defense shut down any opportunities for Minnesota in the second half, forcing the Vikings to go INT-INT-Punt-INT before stifling the Vikings’ final offensive drive.
Philadelphia is playing physical, aggressive football on both sides of the ball. Hurts still has some room for growth, but this team’s defense will keep the offense in many tight games this season if they continue to play at this high level.
Philadelphia is on the road against the Washington Commanders in Week 3.
2. New York Giants (2-0, 0-0 Division)
Week 1 Rank: 2 | NFL.com Rank: 19 (+2)
Week 2 Result: 19-17 Win vs. Carolina Panthers
New York picked up a win on a gutsy two-point conversion in Week 1. This week, it was placekicker Graham Gano — kicking against his former team — knocking through a 56-yard field goal to put the Giants up by three late in the fourth for the improbable win. The Giants forced a special teams fumble recovery on the opening kickoff of the game, then forced another fumble on Carolina’s second possession to go up 6-0 on two short field goals.
The Giants offense continues to show signs of weakness. Their first two drives began inside Carolina territory, but neither drive resulted in a touchdown. New York would ultimately put together a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter, but only after Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield hit a 29-yard pass and then netted 22 yards on the ground that was aided by an illegal contact penalty against New York.
The G-Men are off to their best start to a season since 2016, but there are plenty of issues to watch. Quarterback Daniel Jones has yet to get the offense into any consistent rhythm, which will be a problem against better defenses in the league. Maybe this is a lucky season for the New York Giants, who seem like they’ve got the ball bouncing their way through two wins.
New York will host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football
3. Dallas Cowboys (1-1, 0-0 Division)
Week 1 Rank: 4 | NFL.com Rank: 21 (+6)
Week 2 Result: 20-17 Win vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Dallas overcame the loss of the team’s franchise star quarterback with a steady run game that opened up opportunities for Cooper Rush to complete enough passes to hang on to a lead. Rush threw a touchdown, and Tony Pollard rumbled another ball into the end zone to match a pair of Brett Maher field goals, netting the Cowboys their first win of the season.
The Cowboys defense continues to look like an elite unit in the NFL that will give even the most adept offense a run for its money. Micah Parsons turned in yet another highlight reel game, recording two sacks for the second straight game and being a major disruptive factor almost every time the Bengals offense had the ball. In all, the Cowboys caused six sacks but could not record an interception.
The biggest improvement for the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2 is the reduction in drive-killing penalties. The offense was flagged only once this week after registering eight penalties in Week 1. Dallas will need every yard it can get this season, and limiting penalties is a positive step for a unit that led the league in 2021.
Dallas travels to New York on Monday Night Football.
4. Washington Commanders (1-1, 0-0 Division)
Week 1 Rank: 3 | NFL.com Rank: 27 (-3)
Week 2 Result: 36-27 Loss at Detroit
Washington skated into a win in Week 1, but the magic evaporated in Week 2 as the Commanders found themselves bullied about the field by a talented Lions team. The Commanders struggled to find answers for Amon-Ra St. Brown and D’Andre Smith. St. Brown had nine catches for 116 yards and two runs for 68 yards. Smith added another 87 combined yards.
Washington got into trouble early against Detroit and allowed the home team to pile on 22 points in the first half. Washington didn’t get on the board until the first possession of the third quarter and couldn’t keep pace against a young, fast, and explosive Lions offense.
The Commanders defense left Ford Field having surrendered an average of 7.5 yards per pass and 8 yards per run while failing to record a turnover.
In a competitive division, the Washington offense won’t be able to win many games playing as they did on Sunday. Quarterback Carson Wentz turned in a decent-looking stat sheet but couldn’t get the offense over the hump until late in the game when the hole they were trying to dig out of was bigger than the talent Washington is currently fielding.
Washington hosts the Eagles on Sunday.
