The NFC East is currently mired in a historic slump, but as the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys prepare for Monday night’s pivotal clash, the division crown remains wide open. For the first time in NFL history, all four teams in the division went winless over consecutive weeks, leaving the 2-4 Eagles and 2-4 Cowboys looking up at the division-leading New York Giants.
“We lost and we’re seeing everybody else lose,” said Cowboys defensive tackle Kenny Clark.
The “Monday Night Football” matchup (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN/ABC) serves as a desperate bid for momentum for two franchises that entered the season with championship aspirations but have instead been defined by crisis.
For the Eagles, it has been a barrage of misfortune. The team is currently in the midst of a four-game losing streak and has failed to score more than 24 points in nine consecutive outings. The latest blow was the loss of franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has been sidelined due to blood clots in his lungs. In his stead, Tanner McKee will make his fourth career start, tasked with sparking a stagnant offense under first-time coordinator Sean Mannion.
“The NFC East is struggling and the NFC East is really asking for someone to take it over,” said Eagles running back Saquon Barkley. “It’s going to be a team that figures it out and starts playing at a high level.”
The Cowboys, meanwhile, are struggling to find an identity on both sides of the ball. Despite an offense led by veteran Dak Prescott, the team has been streaky and turnover-prone. Defensively, the unit has failed to generate pressure, recording only eight sacks all season, and has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 69% of their passes. The recent addition of Joey Porter Jr. via trade and the hiring of senior defensive assistant Mike Pettine represent last-ditch efforts by Dallas to stabilize a defense that has consistently let them down in close games.
Both coaching staffs are under intense scrutiny. While Cowboys play-caller Brian Schottenheimer has faced criticism for late-game management, he maintains that he is focused on the team’s potential. In Philadelphia, head coach Nick Sirianni’s success over the last five years is being tested by the current skid. With a depleted roster and a revolving door at coordinator positions, the pressure to turn the ship around is mounting.
As the trade deadline approaches on November 10, the outlook remains volatile. While neither team has played with consistency, the winner of Monday night’s game will emerge as the primary challenger to the Giants, holding a clear opportunity to claim a weak division. For the loser, the focus may quickly shift toward personnel evaluations and preparing for a potential retooling of the roster.
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