October is upon us, and four weeks from 2024 NFL football is in the books. There’s still a lot of season left, but at about the fourth mark of the regular-season calendar, it’s a little easier to gauge which teams are ready to contend, and which teams aren’t. Or is it? There may not be a more confusing division than the NFC East, which hasn’t had a repeat champion in 20 years and is once again up for grabs.
Where exactly do the NFC East clubs stand after four games? Let’s take the pulse of the set:
SATISFACTION
Record: 2-2 | Rank of offense: 13th | Defense Rank: 26th
Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb remained steady through the air, and the pass rush led by Micah Parsons proved capable of stifling inferior offensive fronts. However, Jerry Jones’ always high-profile lineup was one-dimensional with the ball in his hands, posing no real threat on the ground. New defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has also overseen a streaking unit, especially against the run. Coach Mike McCarthy still has enough talent at premium spots to be in the playoff mix, but with Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence the latest to get busted, things may get worse before they get better.
Quarter-season grade: C
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Record: 1-3 | Rank of offense: 22nd | Defense Rank: 13th
Coach Brian Daboll has been tasked with resurrecting Daniel Jones for the second time in three years this season, and so far, that has failed, with the G-man averaging just 15 points per game — tied for third-worst in the NFL. Rookie Malik Nabers has been a revelation amid the expected hiccups, providing steady chain-moving speed and acrobatic hands, but the only other strength of this middling team — forever stuck in a rebuild, it seems — is Shane Bowen’s defense, which. proved scrappy despite uneven returns from the highly touted pass-rushing duo of Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Quarter-season grade: D
SATISFACTION
Record: 2-2 | Rank of offense: 6th | Defense Rank: 29th
On the one hand, sitting at .500 despite recently missing injured all-stars like AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith and Lane Johnson bodes well for the long haul. On the other hand, not because Jalen Hurts was dueling Patrick Mahomes inside Super Bowl LVII has the Eagles’ offense looking consistently special, let alone reliable. The yards are there; the decision making situation is often not. Coach Nick Sirianni is under great heat to get this team more prepared, more creative, more disciplined, which is the same thing we said late in 2023. The pieces (like new star Saquon Barkley) are there to make it right. What about the leaders?
Quarter-season grade: C
SATISFACTION
Record: 3-1 Rank of offense: 5th | Defense Rank: 27th
The Commanders have gone from one experienced defensive coach to another this offseason, but under Dan Quinn so far, they’ve excelled more with the ball in their hands. Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was one of the NFL’s more conservative passers overall, but his rushing accuracy coupled with effortless mobility made for a perfect pairing with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. If the lackluster secondary doesn’t improve, it will be difficult for them to continue their success against elite foes. But the offense led by Daniels is spread out, involving everyone, and complementary on the ground, making them a potential spoiler.
Quarter-season grade: B+
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