Week 8 NFC East predictions: Two out of three (games) ain't bad

Philadelphia leads the division with a 6-1 record after beating the Dolphins, but QB Jalen Hurts will be dealing with an injured knee on Sunday. Cornerback Darius Slay seemed fully recovered from a knee injury that kept him out of Week 5 as he appeared to have no problem covering Miami’s speedy receivers. 

Commanders receivers Jahan Dotson and Terry McLaurin are coming off their best yardage totals of the year, but Philadelphia’s A.J. Brown is averaging 140.2 yards over his last five games. Assuming Philly’s front four can rattle Howell, the Eagles have no reason to fear Washington’s passing game. Especially with two-time-All Pro safety Kevin Byard now in the fold.

With the Cowboys and Chiefs up next, there’s always a chance Philadelphia looks past Washington, but given how close their last game turned out, the Eagles won’t take this game lightly. Assuming Hurts can play, Philadelphia wins another close one.

PREDICTION: Eagles 28-24

Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Dallas Cowboys (4-2): After road games against the 49ers and Chargers, the Cowboys return from a Week 7 bye for a home matchup against the Rams.

The Cowboys beat the Rams 22-10 last year playing Cooper Rush at quarterback. They should have an easier time with Dak Prescott in the lineup, but the defense could have problems with the Rams wide receivers.

Since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 5, Cooper Kupp is averaging 98.6 yards per game. The Steelers held him to 29 yards last week, but rookie phenom Puka Nacua pitched in with 154 yards, bringing his average up to 107 yards per game. 

Luckily for Dallas, DaRon Bland has played well in relief of Trevon Diggs in a stingy defense giving up the third-fewest passing yards (177) per game. Unfortunately for the Rams, their running game is in flux with Kyren Williams on the IR. If only they held on to Cam Akers.

Without an offensive skill player in the top-10 of any category, Dallas can’t afford to take the Rams lightly, but with two weeks off and their first home game in almost a month, the Cowboys should get their fifth-win.

PREDICTION: Cowboys 28-24

New York Jets (3-3) at New York Giants (2-5): The Giants are fresh off their second win of the season after holding their last two opponents to single digits. Do they have enough to beat the Jets at MetLife Field? Flip a coin.

New York’s football teams are both fairly inept on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Jets average 277 yards per game, the third-lowest number in the league. The Giants average 278.4 yards per game which is fourth-lowest.

Defensively the Giants give up 351.4 yards per game, which is 10th-most in the NFL. The Jets defense gives up 351.8 yards per game, or ninth-most in the league. 

The similarities don’t end there. Running backs Saquon Barkley and Breece Hall are both  averaging 71 yards per game this year, with the Jets ground game 17.6 yards per game better than the Giants.

The real losers of this contest are Jets and Giants fans. Watching this game won’t be fun. The Jets have the worst passing game in the league (159.5 yards per game) while no team scores fewer points than the Giants (12.1 per game). 

Go to brunch, mow the lawn and check in with this game sparingly. 

PREDICTION: Jets 21-20