Week 2 is in the books and it was definitely one for the ages but for teams in the NFC East, it was a total rollercoaster. Strap yourselves in, here’s your week 3 guide on the ‘state of the NFC East’:
Philadelphia Eagles
2019 Record: 1-1
2019 RANKS:
• Offense: 8th
• Defense: 25th
• Passing offense: 12th
• Rushing offense: 23rd
Key players of Week 2:
• Carson Wentz – 25/43, 231 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• Nelson Agholor – 8 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD
• Zach Ertz – 8 receptions, 72 yards
Key injuries: DT Timmy Jernigan is out for a month with a broken foot, WR DeSean Jackson is out for two weeks with an abdominal strain, WR Alshon Jeffery is doubtful for Sunday with a calf strain, TE Dallas Goedert is day to day with a calf injury.
Week 3 vs Detroit Lions @ 1pm ET
The Eagles have a lot of soul searching to do heading into week 3. They lost more than just the game against the Falcons. They’re missing their two starting receivers in Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson, while also going down another defensive tackle due to the Jernigan injury. The injuries are piling up once against for this team and it’s happening during a time where even Doug Pederson’s play-calling has become questionable. Despite Carson Wentz’s late-game heroics in Atlanta, the team fell short while their QB put his body on the line. The game against the Lions will teach us a lot about who this 2019 Eagles team really is. They have to start fast and more importantly, they have to find their identity.
Washington Redskins
2019 Record: 0-2
2019 Ranks:
• Offense: 10th
• Defense: 31st
• Passing offense: 10th
• Rushing offense: 30th
Key players of Week 1:
• Case Keenum – 26/37, 221 yards, 2 TDs
• Terry McLaurin – 5 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD
Key injuries: RB Derrius Guice, TE Jordan Reed, DT Johnathan Allen, CB Quentin Dunbar, and CB Fabian Moreau.
Week 3 vs Chicago Bears @ 8:15pm ET
Well, it’s another season where the Redskins just can’t catch a break. TE Jordan Reed has yet to make the impact on this team that he once did, the defense is falling apart and their head coach doesn’t have a good relationship with the owners. This team just keeps on spiraling and has become the definition of ‘rock bottom’ in the NFC East. At times, they looked as if they were going to give the Cowboys a run for the money but “looked” is the keyword in that phrase. Things don’t get easier in week 3 as they take on the Chicago Bears. The Bears defense is just as strong as it was last year, if not stronger. Gruden and company may be approaching a separation but I don’t even think that would be good for either party. On the bright side, Adrian Peterson did play and he did score a goal-line touchdown, so that has to count for something…. if you picked him in fantasy.
Dallas Cowboys
2019 Record: 2-0
2019 RANKS:
• Offense: 5th
• Defense: 13th
• Passing offense: 3rd
• Rushing offense: 6th
Key players of Week 1:
• Dak Prescott – 26/30, 269 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
• Devin Smith – 3 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
• Ezekiel Elliott – 23 carries, 111 yards, 1 TD
Key injuries: S Xavier Woods, WR Michael Gallup
Week 3 vs Miami Dolphins @ 1pm ET
Two games in and it looks like the Cowboys have it all figured out. Prescott has started the last two games kind of slow but has managed to show up no matter what. He looks like he’s playing at a different level but let’s pump the brakes for a second. They’ve only beaten the two bottom teams of the NFC, Giants and Redskins, and they’re facing the Miami Dolphins next. Yes, the same team that has lost by a margin of 102-10 in the first two games of the season. There’s no way Dallas leaves AT&T Stadium this Sunday without a win and if they do, well then, it looks like this talk will be going differently next week. Prescott and company have the formula to success right now but how long can they sustain it? That’s the real question right now.
New York Giants
2019 Record: 0-2
2019 Ranks:
• Offense: 26th
• Defense: 30th
• Passing offense: 11th
• Rushing offense: 8th
Key players of Week 1:
• Eli Manning – 26/45, 250 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
• Saquon Barkley – 18 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
• Bennie Fowler – 5 receptions, 51 yards
Key injuries: WR Cody Latimer, RG Kevin Zeitler, WR Sterling Shepard.
Week 3 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ 4:05 pm ET
The time has finally arrived folks, the Eli Manning era is officially over barring anybody changing their mind. Head Coach Pat Shurmur has announced that Daniel Jones will be the starting QB heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Bucs. Jones may have a fair welcome to the NFL. His defense will be facing an inconsistent Jamies Winston while Jones will be hoping to provide a spark in a Giants team that has hit rock bottom. Unfortunately, Saquon Barkley has been burdening as much as he can. As a football fan, it kills me to see a talent like Saquon being possibly wasted by a team who’s management can’t figure out how to restore this roster. The Bucs are coming off of a Thursday night win against the free-falling Carolina Panthers. A game no one expected them to win, so their confidence may be flaring but it’s up to Shurmur and company to pop their bubble.
Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
