Jalen Hurts' Eagles Lose at Seahawks, Lack 'Commitment'; Cowboys Remain in 1st Place in NFC East

Jalen Hurts' Eagles Lose at Seahawks; Lack 'Commitment'; Dallas Cowboys Remain in 1st Place in NFC East

FRISCO - In the NFC East, misery, it seems, loves company.

The Dallas Cowboys lost 31-10 on Sunday at rainy Buffalo, creating the understandable impression that their chance of capturing the division title had largely slipped out of their soggy hands.

But then came "Monday Night Football,'' a monumental choke job by the Philadelphia Eagles that has their team leader doubting their "commitment,'' and suddenly ... new life for Dallas.

"I don’t think,'' Eagles QB Jalen Hurts said after his team's shocking last-minute 20-17 loss at Seattle, "we’re all, we’re committed enough.''

Hmm. What does that mean?

“Commitment,” Hurts said. “I don’t have a dictionary on me now. ... I don’t know how else to say that.” 

We could say it like this: In a span of just 15 days, the Eagles have tanked, sliding from their lofty "almost unbeatable'' perch of 10-1 down to 10-4, with losses to the 49ers, the Cowboys and the Seahawks.

And what does it mean in the NFC East? Dallas, also 10-4, is back in mathematical first place.

Yes, the Eagles still control their own destiny here; as was the case going into Week 15, if they win out, they win the NFC East. And they should win out, right, as their next three opponents are have-nots the Giants, the Cardinals and the Giants again?

But if the Eagles' "lack of commitment'' continues? And they lose again? The window remains open for the Cowboys, as in that scenario the Cowboys win the division - if the Cowboys win out.

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If both teams finish 13-4, the NFL would go down to tiebreaker No. 5, "strength of (opponents') victory in all games.'' And the Eagles would likely win there.

But if the Cowboys win out (at Dolphins, vs. Lions, at Commanders) and the Eagles lose again? That's the path, as Dallas would be 13-4 and the Eagles would be 12-5.

And then today's first-place Cowboys would win the NFC East, and the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs.