Updated NFC East Standings: Week 2

It is obviously early in the season, as only one week of games are in the books, but it is never too early to see how the rest of your division is doing. The New York Giants are in the cellar of the NFC East after losing to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1. But, they are not alone, as the rest of the NFC East outside the Cowboys struggled also.

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The Washington Redskins were defeated by the Miami Dolphins in an ugly game, and the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football. So, heading into Week 2, the Giants have some company in the cellar as the Redskins and Eagles will be joining them at 0-1, leaving the Cowboys as the leader in the clubhouse after Week 1 as the only team to pick up a victory.

Of the three teams, the Giants are technically in the worst shape because they lost to a division opponent. Those are the most important games on the schedule for a team, followed by intra conference games. Matchups with teams outside the conference have the least impact in the long run, so with that logic the Redskins suffered the least damaging loss.

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But, taking a look at all the games, there is really no clarity in the NFC East. The Giants and Cowboys both had lackluster offenses for most of the night, despite having what many people think to be two of the more explosive offenses in the NFL. With Dez Bryant sidelined for at least the next four weeks because of a foot injury, the Cowboys offense has lost its most explosive piece and could see struggles in the coming weeks. For the Giants, Eli Manning needs to avoid brain cramps he showed down the stretch if they are to make anything of this season.

The Eagles fast paced offense was hit or miss against the Falcons, as they struggled in the run game throughout the evening; only Darren Sproles had any success, rushing for 50 yards on five attempts while newly signed DeMarco Murray gained only nine yards on eight carries and Ryan Mathews gained four on three carries.

Sep 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford (7) sets to throw the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

That led to an absurd 52 pass attempts for Sam Bradford, who didn’t get sacked but was under a lot of pressure, being hit eight times and throwing two interceptions as a result. Jordan Matthews does look like the real deal though through one week, even though the game icing interception was tipped off his hands.

The Redskins played in one of the uglier games of Week 1, but if they are to win it will have to be in games they make ugly and dirty. They actually held a lead over the Dolphins heading into the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold it, with the deciding score coming on a punt return for a touchdown by Jarvis Landry.

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While the Redskins lost the game, they should come away feeling good about a couple of things. Alfred Morris looked good despite the Dolphins possessing one of the most imposing defensive fronts in the NFL. Also, Jordan Reed made it through a game without getting injured and showed off his abilities, catching seven passes for 63 yards and touchdown as Kirk Cousins peppered him with 11 targets. The Cowboys were not the only team to lose a top receiver this week in the NFC East though, as the Redskins will be without DeSean Jackson for a couple of weeks as well.

None of the teams in the NFC East played particularly well, as all four teams have flaws; that is what makes this division truly wide open. All three teams that lost could have easily won as well, speaking to the work and flaws that each team needs to cover up.

Next week will be another eventful one in the NFC East, as the rival Cowboys and Eagles will be facing off for the first time in 2015. The Redskins will be looking to get into the win column for the first time as they host the St. Louis Rams, and the Giants will be looking to do the same with the Atlanta Falcons in their home opener at MetLife Stadium.

Here are the current standings in the NFC East:

Dallas Cowboys: 1-0
New York Giants: 0-1
Philadelphia Eagles: 0-1
Washington Redskins: 0-1

Next: New York Giants Studs and Duds vs. Dallas Cowboys Week 1

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