NFC East Power Rankings: Eagles’ Free Fall Gives Cowboys Renewed Hope in Dramatic Division Race

The NFC East, known for its chaotic and unpredictable nature, is living up to its reputation in the final weeks of the 2025 NFL season. What appeared to be a runaway division title for the Philadelphia Eagles has suddenly become a tense, two-team race thanks to an alarming three-game skid by the defending NFC champions.

Jalen Hurts’ career-worst five-turnover game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football capped off a brutal 0-3 stretch for the Eagles, which also included a gut-wrenching home loss to the Dallas Cowboys (blowing a 21-0 lead) and a sloppy defeat to the Chicago Bears. The Eagles are still in first place, but the team’s stock is plummeting, while the Dallas Cowboys—despite their own recent stumble—are gaining traction and a clear path to contention.

As the division enters the crucial final month of the season, here are the updated NFC East power rankings:

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 1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-5)

(Previous Rank: 1)

The Eagles still sit atop the NFC East, but their hold on the division is tenuous, and their overall performance screams of a team that is not ready for the playoffs. Their two-game advantage in the standings is the only thing keeping them here.

The Free Fall

• Turnover Epidemic: The five turnovers against the Chargers, combined with other costly giveaways in recent weeks, have destroyed the team’s margin for error. Jalen Hurts has looked overwhelmed and has regressed in his decision-making, forcing throws and failing to protect the ball.

• Offensive Struggles: The offensive attack, which had been a model of efficiency and aggression, has stalled. They are still moving the ball but have struggled significantly with red-zone execution and finishing drives—a problem that is exacerbated by turnovers.

• Magic Number: Despite the losses, the Eagles’ magic number to clinch the NFC East remains three. Any combination of three Eagles wins or Cowboys losses (including the tie) will secure the division for Philadelphia. This means the pressure is on the Cowboys to play nearly perfect football to force a dramatic finish.

Week	Opponent	W-L-T	Implication
Week 15	vs. Las Vegas Raiders	(2-11)	Must-Win: Easiest opponent remaining; chance to reset.
Week 16	at Washington Commanders	(3-10)	Divisional road game; must avoid a trap game.
Week 17	at Buffalo Bills	(9-4)	Toughest game remaining; huge test of playoff mettle.
Week 18	vs. Washington Commanders	(3-10)	Expected win; potentially a division-clinching opportunity.

Bottom Line: The schedule, particularly the two games against the struggling Commanders and a home game against the Raiders, is a gift. Philadelphia must use this stretch to stop the bleeding, protect the football, and regain their offensive identity. If they go 3-1, the division is theirs. If they stumble even once more, the Cowboys are right there.

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 2. Dallas Cowboys (6-6-1)

(Previous Rank: 2)

The Cowboys remain two games back in the win column, but their tie earlier in the season is a critical factor preventing them from being in an identical record-based race. However, Dallas’s renewed hope is powered by two main factors: their momentum and the Eagles’ implosion.

Renewed Hope and Current Form

• Momentum Shift: Despite a recent loss to the Detroit Lions, the Cowboys won two straight games prior, including the critical comeback victory against the Eagles. Their offense, led by an MVP-contending Dak Prescott and the recent addition of George Pickens, remains one of the most explosive and high-scoring in the entire league.

• Division Record Advantage: The Cowboys hold a 3-1-0 divisional record, compared to the Eagles’ 2-2-0. While the tie complicates the overall standings, this divisional success shows they can beat the teams they need to.

• The Tie Complication: The tie against the Green Bay Packers means the Cowboys must gain three wins on the Eagles to surpass them. For example, if the Eagles go 2-2 (finishing 10-7) and the Cowboys go 4-0 (finishing 10-6-1), Dallas would win the division due to a superior winning percentage ($10.5/17 = .617$ vs. $10/17 = .588$). This makes the tie a huge asset.

Week	Opponent	W-L-T	Implication
Week 15	vs. Minnesota Vikings	(5-8)	Must-win home game to stay in the division hunt.
Week 16	vs. Los Angeles Chargers	(9-4)	Tough home test against a playoff contender.
Week 17	at Washington Commanders	(3-10)	Christmas game; expected divisional win.
Week 18	at New York Giants	(2-11)	Expected divisional win to potentially complete the comeback.

Bottom Line: The Cowboys have a clear, if difficult, mandate: Win out. If they can sweep their final four games to finish 10-6-1, the pressure shifts entirely to the Eagles. Dallas must be rooting for the Bills to beat Philadelphia in Week 17 to give them the opening they need.

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3. Washington Commanders (3-10)

(Previous Rank: 3)

The Commanders have been mathematically eliminated from the division race. However, their recent play suggests they are not a team that will roll over, making them the ultimate “villain” or spoiler for the final month of the NFC East race.

• Showing Life: Despite their record, the Commanders have put up surprisingly strong fights in recent weeks, particularly against the Denver Broncos. They are well-coached under Dan Quinn, and the team’s defense, even without a successful season overall, can still cause problems.

• The Eagles’ Roadblock: Washington is the only team with two divisional matchups remaining against the Eagles. Their games in Week 16 and Week 18 will directly impact the division title. If Washington can manage an upset in either game, it dramatically increases the Cowboys’ chances of winning the NFC East.

Bottom Line: Their season is about pride and playing spoiler. Their ability to deliver one unexpected win could be the most important factor in the NFC East championship race.

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4.  New York Giants (2-11)

(Previous Rank: 4)

The Giants are in full rebuild mode, having already fired their head coach and struggling with injuries and quarterback instability. They are statistically and psychologically out of contention.

• Rebuilding Focus: The team is focused on evaluating young players, including quarterback Jaxson Dart, and improving their draft positioning for the 2026 NFL Draft.

• Cowboys Finale: Like the Commanders, their only remaining significance is their role as a potential spoiler. Their Week 18 home game against the Cowboys could be a critical moment, though Dallas will be heavily favored.

Bottom Line: The Giants’ primary goal for the remainder of the season is to get to the finish line and look ahead to the offseason.

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The Bottom Line: Who Wins the NFC East?

The Eagles’ recent form makes this question a legitimate debate, but the advantage remains firmly with Philadelphia.

The difference comes down to the number of must-win games. The Eagles need three combined wins/Cowboys losses to clinch. The Cowboys must win all four of their remaining games and need the Eagles to lose at least two of their four to have a realistic shot.

Scenario	Eagles Final Record	Cowboys Final Record	NFC East Winner
Eagles go 3-1, Cowboys go 4-0	11-6	10-6-1	Eagles (11 wins > 10.5 wins)
Eagles go 2-2, Cowboys go 4-0	10-7	10-6-1	Cowboys (10.5 wins > 10 wins)
Eagles go 4-0	12-5	Any Record	Eagles (Clinch Week 16/17)

The Eagles have three highly winnable games against the Raiders and Commanders (twice) and one likely loss against the Bills. The Cowboys have a harder road, with two games against playoff contenders (Vikings, Chargers) and two road division games.

Prediction: The Eagles’ schedule is too forgiving. They will go 3-1, beating the Raiders and Commanders twice, and losing to the Bills. The Cowboys will likely drop one of the next two tough home games (Vikings or Chargers), allowing the Eagles to secure the division crown in Week 17 or 18.

Eagles win the NFC East, but not without a tremendous amount of stress.