Dallas Cowboys News: Team Leads Redskins, Eagles In NFC East, Remaining Schedule Favors Washington

The Dallas Cowboys took control of the NFC East on Thanksgiving with a key victory over the Washington Redskins. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants Sunday afternoon, making it a three-team race to win the NFL’s most competitive division.

Dallas and Washington both share a 6-5 record, but the Cowboys sit in first place because of a better division record. Philadelphia is one game out of first place at 5-6. New York sits in last place with a 3-8 record, and they fell to 0-4 in the division with their Week 12 loss.

The Cowboys remain the favorite to win the NFC East. Alex Smith’s season-ending injury could mean the Redskins won’t finish their season strong. The Eagles haven’t looked like the defending Super Bowl champs all season long, and they are 1-5 against teams that are .500 or better.

Philadelphia hosts Washington on “Monday Night Football” in Week 13 in an important divisional matchup. The two teams will meet again in Week 17.

The Eagles were defeated at home by the Cowboys a few weeks ago. They’ll look to pay back Dallas when they travel to AT&T Stadium in Week 14. With upcoming games against the Los Angeles Rams and Houston Texans, Philadelphia has the most difficult schedule of the NFC East contenders.

Because they’ll host the New Orleans Saints Thursday night, Dallas can quickly fall out of first place. The Cowboys are early seven-point underdogs in Week 13, according to the betting odds at OddsShark. After hosting the Saints and Eagles, Dallas finishes up the season against the Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers before visiting the Giants.

Washington doesn’t face a team that’s currently above .500 the rest of the way. Aside from games against the Giants and Eagles, the Redskins will visit the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

It’s possible for two NFC teams to make the postseason. If the playoffs were to begin in Week 13, the Cowboys would be the No.4 seed and the Redskins would be in as the second wild-card team. Philadelphia is a game behind Washington and the NFC’s No.9 seed.