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Alastair Talbot

NFL Thanksgiving Week Grades NFC East: While Saquon Barkley's pushes for the MVP and Jayden Daniels emerges what has gone wrong in New York and Dallas?

How have the teams in the NFC East performed as we enter the final stretch of the season?

The NFC East has been a division marked by dramatic highs and lows. While the Philadelphia Eagles remain the standout team, the Washington Commanders have made notable strides under new leadership.

On the other hand, the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants have badly faltered, with each experiencing a frustrating season full of missed opportunities.

With the Eagles and Commanders locked in a competitive battle for the top spot, the future of the division is still very much in play.

  • Jalen Hurts Philadelphia EaglesGetty images

    Philadelphia Eagles (9-2)

    The Eagles are a team that has shown both brilliance and vulnerability at times, but their overall trajectory remains strong. Jalen Hurts continues to be an offensive dynamo, contributing both through the air and on the ground. Despite some turnover issues, his ability to put the team on his back is undeniable.

    A.J. Brown has emerged as a top-tier wideout, and the defense, once a weak point, has drastically improved and now ranks among the league's best. Saquon Barkley has also performed at a high enough level to garner MVP consideration and become one of the franchise leaders following his offseason move to Philadelphia.

    With a solid mix of talent on both sides of the ball Philadelphia looks poised for a deep playoff run.

    Grade: B+

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  • Jayden Daniels Washington CommandersGetty Images

    Washington Commanders (7-5)

    After a disappointing year in 2023, the Commanders have made significant improvements, with their offense showing newfound success under rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

    His development has been a bright spot, and while their defense is still a work in progress, it has shown flashes of excellence. Despite a tough losses to the Eagles and Cowboys in recent weeks, Washington’s youth and potential make them an exciting team to watch as they look to assert themselves in the NFC East.

    Their biggest weakness is a run defense that could prevent them from making serious postseason noise, but they have the pieces to build something special for the future.

    Grade: A-

  • Dallas Cowboys v Pittsburgh SteelersGetty Images Sport

    Dallas Cowboys (4-7)

    What a fall from grace for the Cowboys. From playoff contenders to a team in disarray, Dallas is on a downward spiral, losing five straight games. With Dak Prescott now out for the season, their offensive finding consistency is in jeopardy of not happening at all this season, and their defense, which has been a stringth in recent years has struggled to deliver for majority of the year.

    It’s a season that feels like the beginning of a rebuild rather than a playoff push.

    Grade: F

  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers v New York GiantsGetty Images Sport

    New York Giants (2-9)

    The Giants have been one of the most disappointing teams this season, and while there have been some individual bright spots—such as wide receiver Malik Nabers in the Rookie of the Year conversation—the overall performance has been lacking.

    Former quarterback Daniel Jones has consistently struggled with turnovers and paid the price by being released, while the defense, despite leading the league in sacks, is hemorrhaging yards on the ground.

    Without a reliable offensive attack or run-stopping defense, the Giants seem to be spinning their wheels with no clear path forward this season.

    Grade: D-