The Eagles (6-2) didn’t even play this week and still gained ground on the rest of the division. The Commanders (3-6) lost on the field and in the locker room as Jayden Daniels was likely lost for the season with an elbow injury, while the Cowboys (3-5-1) and Giants (2-7) both lost as well. The Eagles somehow were able to sit back and open up a bigger lead on the rest of the division! Let’s look at what happened in the division in this Week 9 edition of NFC East Takeaways.
Commanders:
Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is helped off the field after an injury during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The season is basically over
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With Jayden Daniels suffering a dislocated elbow in the blowout loss to the Seahawks, the Commanders’ playoff hopes are basically non-existent. Sitting at 3-6, they’ll have to face the Lions next. They get an easier game against Miami before having to face the 7-2 Broncos, so there’s a good chance that Washington will have eight losses before December. This is looking like a lost season for the Commanders.
More bad news
If the Daniels injury wasn’t enough, Terry McLaurin has already been ruled out for Week 10 so things aren’t going to get any easier for Washington. Deebo Samuel and Zach Ertz are more than capable of stepping up for the Commanders, but the loss of McLaurin (short-term) and Daniels (long-term) is going to be almost impossible to overcome.
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Cowboys:
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) communicates during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
This team is in trouble
Dallas had some hope after getting to .500, but they’re now 3-5-1 after losing two in a row. With nine teams in the NFC currently having five or more wins, the Cowboys have an uphill battle to make the playoffs. They have a winnable game against the Raiders after their upcoming bye, but things get a lot harder after that, as they then have to play the Eagles and Chiefs.
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Help is on the way?
Jerry Jones alluded to the Giants having already made a trade before their 27-17 loss to the Cardinals, so it looks like they’ll get some reinforcements soon. The trade will likely be on the defensive side of the ball as Dallas is still searching for help after the Micah Parsons trade. They’ll likely need more than one player there, however, as giving up 340 total yards to the Cardinals isn’t a great look.
Giants:
Jaxson Dart
Denver, Colorado, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks on during warmups against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
The one-man show
With Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo out for the year, the Giants turned into a one-man show in the 34-24 loss to the 49ers. While he only threw for 191 yards, Jaxson Dart was also the team’s leading rusher with 56 yards on the ground. Wan’Dale Robinson is still a solid player (and he had nine catches for 46 yards in the loss), but it’s become abundantly clear that Dart doesn’t have much to work with around him.
About to become a seller
With the 2025 season slipping through their fingers, it’s time for the Giants to turn to 2026. They have a few players (like Kayvon Thibodeaux and Darius Slayton) who could fetch some draft pick compensation, so it would make perfect sense to stock up on some draft capital for next year. They’re not likely to trade anyone who can demand a first or second rounder, but the Giants will likely make a deal before the deadline.
Eagles:
Oct 26, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) reacts after the game against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Bye week takeaway
While the Eagles had a bye week, their star players, mainly Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and the defense, were able to get some much-needed rest. Expect them to come out looking fresh in week 10. Also, the team was still busy improving their roster as they dealt a third-round pick in the 2026 draft to the Dolphins for Jaelen Phillips. Though Phillips has had some injuries over the last few years, he’s a very talented player who will help the Eagles defensive line and pass rush. Despite the week of rest, the Eagles still somehow got better.
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