NFL Standings 2021: Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers Have NFC’s Biggest Division Leads After Week 6

One-third of the 2021 NFL season is complete and a handful of teams already appear well on their way to the playoffs. The Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers are firmly in that group after Week 6, owning the largest division leads in the NFC.

Both Dallas and Green Bay extended their winning streaks to five games Sunday with impressive road victories. The Cowboys won the week’s most exciting game, defeating the New England Patriots 35-29 in overtime. The Packers took care of business at Soldier Field with a 24-14 win over the Chicago Bears, extending their lead in the NFC North.

With the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team and New York Giants all losing in Week 6, Dallas has a three-game edge atop the NFC East. Green Bay is two games ahead of both the Bears and Minnesota Vikings in the division race.

Sharing a 5-1 record with Dallas and Green Bay, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a 1.5-game lead over the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South. The undefeated Arizona Cardinals actually have the smallest edge of any first-place team in the conference, despite sitting atop the overall NFL standings. Arizona has a one-game lead over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC West.

The Cowboys haven’t lost since coming up just short against the defending champs in the 2021 Kickoff Game. Heading into a Week 7 bye, the Cowboys arguably have the leading candidates for NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year.

After throwing for 445 yards and the game-winning touchdown in New England, Dak Prescott ranks in the top five in yards, touchdowns, completion percentage and passer rating among all quarterbacks. Trevon Diggs has more than twice as many interceptions as any other player with seven, and he’s returned two of those picks for touchdowns.

Prescott is set to undergo an MRI for what is being called a calf strain. The quarterback said he isn't concerned about the injury.

Dallas leads the NFL in total offense and ranks first among all NFC teams with 34.2 points per game. The Cowboys’ defense has been better than expected, making the team a legitimate Super Bowl contender.

Green Bay hasn’t been as dominant as Dallas, only outscoring its opponents by eight points this season. The Packers are undefeated since their inexplicable 35-point loss against the Saints in Week 1.

Aaron Rodgers has followed up his third MVP campain with a 104.6 passer rating, 12 touchdown passes and three interceptions in six games. Rodgers continues to own the Bears with a 21-5 career record against Chicago.

Davante Adams leads all receivers with 668 yards.

The Packers should improve to 6-1 in Week 7. Green Bay is a massive favorite against Washington at Lambeau Field. The Packers will be tested the following two weeks when they visit Arizona and Kansas City back-to-back.

In Week 11, Green Bay visits Minnesota in what could be a pivotal NFC North matchup.

If the playoffs started next week, the Packers would host the Saints in the wild-card round as the NFC’s No. 3 seed. As the No. 4 seed, Dallas is currently in line to host Los Angeles in the first round of the postseason.