NFC East teams were all over the map in Week 5, both literally and figuratively. Two teams found ways to win in hostile theaters, while another cheated the odds-makers to garner a win seen on multiple continents. For one team, the 2022 season is already growing long and tiresome as mistakes seemingly doom any chance of success.
The NFL is unlike most other professional sports in that the season is comprised of only a handful of games. Each win and loss compounds the difficulty of succeeding every week, and a tough start can turn into a losing season in no time. Entering Week 6, two of the NFC East teams are establishing themselves as contenders, with one fighting for recognition, and the other thinking about drafting a quarterback next season.
1. Philadelphia Eagles (5-0, 1-0 Division)
NFL Rank per NFL.com: 2 (-1)
Week 5 Result: 20-17 Win at Arizona Cardinals
It wasn’t pretty, but the Eagles found a way to get a win on Sunday in Phoenix, Arizona. The victory was bittersweet as it came about only by questionable mistakes at the hands of Cardinals’ QB Kyler Murray. On the final possession of the game, Murray spiked the ball on first down and then failed to achieve a first down by sliding prematurely on second down. He spiked the ball on third down to stop the clock with 23 seconds to play, setting up a 54-yard field goal that sailed wide, giving the Eagles their fifth win of the season.
The Eagles’ unbeaten season will face a stiff challenge when they face the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday in Philadelphia.
2. Dallas Cowboys (4-1, 2-0 division)
NFL.com Rank: 10 (+3)
Week 5 Result: 22-10 Win at Los Angeles Rams
Dallas traveled to Los Angeles to face the Rams’ much-vaunted defense led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey. Dallas got the win in dramatic fashion, putting together the fifth-straight game in which an opponent scored only one touchdown. Dorance Armstrong had a monster game, forcing a fumble on a sack on the first drive of the game that was recovered for a touchdown by Demarcus Lawrence. Linebacker Micah Parsons fought through a groin injury and demonstrated why he is also in the conversation of best defensive players, turning in two sacks, including a strip-sack that ended the game in favor of the Cowboys.
Dallas is on the road to face the NFL’s only unbeaten team in the Philadelphia Eagles, a division-rivalry game made all the more interesting by the possibility that Dak Prescott could be back on the field for the Cowboys.
3. New York Giants (4-1, 0-1 division)
NFL.com Rank: 13 (+6)
Week 5 Result: 27-22 Win at Green Bay Packers in London, England
Road games are always tough, especially when traveling to Europe for a Week 5 match. New York earned a win with yet another remarkable performance by Saquan Barkley, who is running like he never suffered a critical injury just two seasons ago. Barkley had 106 total yards, including a 41-yard catch and run, and 70 ground yards on 13 carries with one touchdown. The Giants’ defense was the big story, shutting down Aaron Rodgers and company on fourth-and-one from the six-yard line in the fourth, then getting a strip sack on the final play of the game to end any chance at a miracle.
The Giants host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in a game they enter as the underdog despite a better record.
4. Washington Commanders (1-4, 0-2 division)
NFL.com Rank: 30 (-1)
Week 5 Result: 21-17 Loss vs. Tennessee Titans
Nothing seems to be working for the Commanders in 2022. Carson Wentz turned in a 359-yard, two-TD performance, then tossed the game-sealing interception at the goal line with only 13 seconds remaining in the game. Wentz was sacked three times and fumbled the ball three times, but was able to recover each time. Washington simply couldn’t keep up with the Titans. After hitting a 30-yard touchdown on offense, the Commanders surrendered to running back Derrick Henry, who rumbled into the endzone on a one-yarder for the decisive score.
The Commanders have a short week ahead as they face the Chicago Bears on Thursday Night Football. A win will keep the team relevant in a division that features two 4-1 teams and a 5-0 team in mid-October.
