Thursday night’s 34-17 upset loss sustained by the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t just cost them a game; it dramatically altered the NFC East landscape. Their loss to the New York Giants has exposed cracks in the armor that everyone thought was invincible.
The Eagles have dropped from 4-0 to 4-2, with the Washington Commanders resurging to take over the division lead, emerging as slight favorites to win the NFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles Collapse As New York Giants Shock the Division
When the Eagles entered MetLife Stadium on Thursday, they were the obvious favorites. But what unfolded was one of the season’s biggest surprises and the most dramatic shocks. Jalen Hurts finished 24-of-33 for 283 yards and two total touchdowns. Yet Philadelphia’s offense lacked the precision and aggression that really defined their 4-0 start this season.
Costly turnovers, poor tackling, and an inability to control the line of scrimmage allowed the Giants to dictate the pace from the opening quarter.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart delivered a poised performance for the New York squad, completing 17-of-25 passes for 195 yards, a touchdown through the air, and another on the ground.
RB Cam Skattebo dominated with 98 rushing yards and three touchdowns, breaking through the Eagles’ strong defense that was almost worn down by halftime. In addition to this, Cam also caught two passes for 12 yards.
GIANTS ROOKIE DUO STUNS EAGLES 🔥
DART: 1 TD, RUSH TD, 253 TOTAL YARDS 🎯
SKATTEBO: 3 TD, 110 TOTAL YARDS 😤
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT IN NEW YORK. pic.twitter.com/kjnkkgtmqN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 10, 2025
And just like that, the Giants managed to outscore the Eagles 21-0 in the second half, sealing a statement win that jolted the division standings.
For the Eagles, the loss comes on the heels of another poor outing against Denver, marking their first back-to-back defeats since late 2023. Internal frustration has reportedly surfaced among offensive players, and the team’s rhythm under head coach Nick Sirianni now appears shaky.
The setback drops them to 4–2, tightening the NFC East picture dramatically. This is where the Washington Commanders come in!
How Can Washington Now Become NFC East Favorite and Capitalize on Eagles’ Collapse?
While the Eagles stumble, the Commanders have moved into the division conversation in a way they hadn’t before. Their Week 5 win over the Chargers (27-10), powered by the return of Jayden Daniels and a strong running game from Jacory Croskey-Merritt, gave them a lot of momentum. Meanwhile, Washington’s defense forced multiple turnovers and dominated in the trenches.
This head-to-head volatility aligns with recent modeling. According to PFSN’s NFL Playoff Predictor, Washington is the new favorite over Philadelphia to win the NFC East, 44.5% to 44.2%. The margin may seem slim, but it is a massive shift that underscores how much the division has flipped since the Eagles’ early dominance.
Washington’s path forward is clear:
- Head-to-head matchups loom large. Washington and Philadelphia meet twice more this season. If the Commanders win both (or even split under favorable conditions), they would hold a critical advantage in tiebreakers.
- Momentum and health check. Daniels is back, and his chemistry with the offense is improving. Meanwhile, Philadelphia looks rattled; back-to-back losses can spiral into deeper inconsistency.
- Exploiting Philadelphia’s offensive weakness. The Eagles’ offense has shown instability and internal friction. They reportedly held a players-only meeting earlier this week. Washington’s defense, already generating turnovers, could press that weakness.
- Schedule and room for error. While no team in the East is flawless, Washington can afford fewer mistakes going forward. Philadelphia’s losses increase its margin for error.
At 3–2, just one game behind Philadelphia with momentum on their side, Washington controls its own destiny. The Eagles still have the talent to rebound, but for now, the Commanders hold the edge, both in confidence and in probability. If they continue their current trajectory, they could be the NFC East’s next surprise champion.