The New York Giants did not play in Week 8, but they gained ground anyway. While the team sat idle, the rest of the division stumbled hard enough to leave New York with a real lead. The Giants entered the bye week with a 4-2-1 record and a 1.5-game advantage over Dallas. They left the break with a two-game lead over both the Cowboys and Washington Commanders.
Per Yahoo Sports, the Cowboys fell to a 3-5 record after a 33-30 overtime loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Dallas led by two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter before surrendering a late rally. The Cardinals tied the score with six seconds left in regulation before winning on a field goal in overtime. This defeat leaves Dallas trailing New York by two games within the division. The Eagles suffered an even worse fate, dropping to 2-6 after a 27-10 loss to Washington. Philadelphia established a 10-0 lead in the first quarter but surrendered 27 straight points as the Commanders dominated on Sunday night.
Division Standings Shift
Following the win, Washington climbed to 2-4-1 and overtook the Eagles in the standings. Both teams remain well behind the Giants, who now hold a three-game cushion over Philadelphia. A victory in Philadelphia this Sunday would widen the gap between the Giants and other NFC East teams. This highlights the benefit of the week off, which matters greatly given the upcoming Thursday night matchup against the Commanders in Week 10.
Special Teams And Depth
While the division rivals lost, the Giants have been getting healthy and reviewing their roster. Big Blue View noted that long snapper Ben Mann has not had a poor snap yet. Jordan Stout, the punter, excels by topping the league with a 51.6-yard average per punt. He has punts of 78 and 74 yards, plus a pair of 66-yarders that continually flip the field. Dominic Zvada began 9 for 9 as kicker but has since converted only 4 of 9 attempts. He has had issues placing the ball on kickoffs, but he still has a ton of talent. The team must decide if they can wait for consistency.
Tyrone Tracy, the returner, averages 28.9 yards across nine returns, placing him ninth league-wide. Although his season start was strong, he will sit out for a minimum of four more games. Jameis Winston might no longer be the starting quarterback, yet his leadership stays crucial. General manager Joe Schoen explained that having a veteran in the room helps the young guys. Schoen said, “The multiplier effect that that will pay for those guys down the road is invaluable.”
New York resumes play after the bye by facing the Eagles on Sunday, Nov. 8 at 1 p.m. ET at Lincoln Financial Field. A win in Philadelphia would solidify the two-game lead they now hold.
