Cowboys and Giants playing for NFC East division lead tonight

So, the Cowboys 2018 season got off to a terrible start, losing in unimpressive fashion to the Carolina Panthers. Many were calling tonight’s Sunday night tilt against the New York Giants a “must-win”, citing that less than 12% of teams that start 0-2 go on to make the playoffs.

And yet, with a win tonight, your Dallas Cowboys will firmly entrench themselves at the top of the NFC East. Okay, they would be in a three-way tie for first place with Washington and Philadelphia, but would technically be at the top by virtue of having a division win.

All this is possible because both Philadelphia and Washington lost today. The Redskins were outclassed by the Indianapolis Colts, losing 21-9. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Eagles lost to Tampa Bay 27-21 in a game the Eagles trailed by 20 late in the third quarter. A fourth quarter comeback came up short.

The two losses mean there is no undefeated team in the NFC East. One of the teams will win tonight’s Cowboys and Giants contest (unless there is a tie) and thus there will be a three-way tie for first place at one-and-one. So enjoy it Cowboys’ fans, we’re playing for first place tonight. This just goes to show how fast things can change in the NFL. An impressive win by the Cowboys in tonight’s division contest would completely change the largely negative narrative that has surrounded this team for the last week.