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NFC East X factors: Week 2
New York Giants QB Daniel Jones John Jones-Imagn Images

NFC East X factors: Week 2

By Bruce Ewing  |  Last updated Sep 12, 2024 5:57 PM ET

Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley and Cowboys’ linebacker Demarvion Overshown came up big for the NFC East to open the NFL season but who will be an X factor in Week 2? Here’s our prediction for all four teams.

CeeDee Lamb (WR) Dallas Cowboys

Lamb led Dallas receivers with a modest five catches for 61 yards on 10 targets against the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, which isn’t too surprising for a player that missed training camp, even one as talented as Lamb.

The Cowboys’ No. 1 receiver was able to ease back into NFL action against a Browns team that didn’t put up much of a fight in a 33-17 defeat. Now, the New Orleans Saints — who scored 47 points against an over-matched Carolina Panthers team last weekend — will travel to Arlington, Texas, to face the Cowboys on Sunday afternoon.

New Orleans held all Panthers receivers under 50 yards in Week 1. Lamb hasn’t been kep to under 50 yards since Week 11 of the 2023 season. He also hasn’t gone without a touchdown in consecutive weeks since last October. Rest assured he’ll catch more than 50% of passes coming his way against the Saints and find the end zone at Caesars Superdome.

Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants

The Giants lost to the Minnesota Vikings 28-6 as Jones went 22-42 for 186 yards with two interceptions including a pick-six. Minnesota’s pass defense isn't great, but New York's Week 2 opponent in the Washington Commanders allowed a league-high 262.2 yards per game through the air last year and the fourth-most passing yards (280) to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.

If Jones can’t move the ball against a porous Commanders defense on Sunday, he could find himself benched in favor of Drew Lock in Week 3. The 27-year-old quarterback signed a four-year, $160M deal last year but the team can save $30M against the cap if they release him after June 1. If Jones plays well, the Giants win the game. If not, New York may have no choice but to move on.

Saquon Barkley (RB) Philadelphia Eagles

In the first NFL game ever played in South America, Barkley accounted for 132 of Philadelphia’s 401 total yards on a field sloppy enough to cause an international incident. The former Giants star rushed for a pair of scores and caught another touchdown as the Eagles beat the Packers 34-29 in Brazil.

Barkley’s effort marked his best Week 1 performance since opening the 2022 season with 167 yards against Tennessee. On Friday, he helped the Eagles overcome three turnovers from quarterback Jalen Hurts and should have no problem replicating his success against the Vikings on "Monday Night Football."

Washington Commanders' secondary

Tampa’s Baker Mayfield threw four touchdowns against the Commanders last week, finishing with a league-best 146.4 quarterback rating. Embattled cornerback and former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes got the start but was benched in the second quarter after allowing 12.7 yards per reception according to Pro Football Focus. 

He was replaced by Noah Igbinoghene, a first-round pick of Miami in 2020. The former Dolphin saw just one target but second-round pick Mike Sainristil got seven and allowed 9.2 yards per reception in 32 snaps.

This week the Commanders welcome the Giants to town, where Jones owns a  3-1 record. If Washington can’t stop a quarterback who averaged 4.4 yards per pass against the Vikings, it could be a long season for new head coach Dan Quinn.

Bruce Ewing
Twitter/X

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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