Somewhere in the Washington DC area, Dan Quinn is probably still smiling. With a revamped offense and defense, a new coaching staff, and a rookie quarterback, Quinn has led the Washington Commanders to a 2-1 record. They are also tied for first place in the NFC East.
The icing on the cake is that the Commanders are one game ahead of the Dallas Cowboys after three weeks of the 2024 season.
It’s far too early to say anything is decided – especially with 14 more games to go – but Quinn is well on his way to having the last laugh. Especially with Dallas’ defense imploding and the offense slowly getting going each week.
Considering that the Eagles don’t exactly seem unbeatable despite their own 2-1 record, Quinn has every reason to be happy.
One thing cannot be denied: the Commanders have made a good start.
Here is the status of the NFC East after three weeks.
Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
They don’t like to say that you have to win a game in the fourth week of the season, but that’s the way it is. After failing in a furious fourth-quarter comeback against Baltimore on Sunday, the Cowboys can’t afford to lose to the Giants on Thursday.
For the second straight game, the Cowboys defense was overrun, both on the field and on the scoreboard. The offense was nonexistent for most of the game.
That must not happen against the Giants.
The Cowboys hope that their offense has emerged from the crisis it has been in for seven quarters.
Dak Prescott managed around 200 passing yards in the last quarter. He needs to repeat that, but in the opening quarter.
The Cowboys’ entire offense must play the first half like it did in the fourth quarter against Baltimore. The defense must play like it did in the season opener against Cleveland.
The Cowboys’ two-game losing streak has brought something positive. Dallas can now increase its Scoragami numbers by two new points.
Both the 44-19 loss to the Saints last week and the 28-25 loss to the Ravens on Sunday were the first times that Cowboys games ended with such scores.
Dallas now has 418 unique finishes in its 1,051 total regular season and playoff games. Dallas is 599-446-6 overall in the regular season and playoffs combined.
The Cowboys have a 563-415-6 regular season record before Thursday’s game.
Next game: at the New York Giants, Thursday, 7:15 p.m.
New York Giants (1-2)
The Giants did manage to secure a win, albeit against the Browns, but it was a win. They are also no longer alone in the bottom of the NFC East table.
With a win on Thursday, they have a chance to single-handedly defeat the Cowboys.
Daniel Jones has been playing well for New York lately.
He will try to avenge last year’s nightmarish season opener, when the Cowboys crushed the Giants 40-0.
It will be interesting to see if New York follows the plan laid out by the Saints and Ravens when it comes to defending Dallas. If so, Devin Singletary could be in for a big game.
Next game: against the Dallas Cowboys, Thursday, 7:15 p.m.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1)
The Eagles went to New Orleans on Sunday and got a win. There is no other way to describe it. Philadelphia should not have won this game.
The Saints offense, which seemed unstoppable in the first two weeks of the season, disappeared against the Eagles.
Their coach also botched the game by not attempting a field goal, thus achieving a 6-0 lead even though no points were scored.
The Saints defense held Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles offense in check for three quarters, but then collapsed in the final quarter.
A long touchdown run by Barkley gave Philadelphia a 7-3 lead, and then Hurts led his team to a game-winning drive and a 2-point conversion.
Derek Carr was hampered by the loss of two of his offensive players, but he just couldn’t get his game going in the first three quarters and should have won the game long before the fourth quarter began.
Next game: against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 12:00 p.m.
Washington Commanders (2-1)
If you have added Jayden Daniels to your fantasy league, congratulations.
Along with the Washington Commanders, you’re probably at the top of your league. If you played against him this week, my condolences.
For the Commanders, Daniels had a breakthrough game on Monday Night Football against the Bengals, winning 38-33.
Daniels completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also scored 40 yards on 11 carries.
His final pass was a 27-yard dime to Terry McLaurin that tied the game with just over two minutes left. McClaurin finished the game with 100 yards on four catches.
Daniels snatched a rookie record from Prescott with the win. His 91.3% completion rate surpassed Prescott’s 2016 record of 88%.
More importantly, Washington is now tied with the Eagles for first place in the NFC East. Had the Saints not collapsed late in their game against Philadelphia, the Commanders would have been all alone in first place.
Next game: Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 12:00 p.m.
