With a one-sided 23-10 affair in the books, the Washington Redskins just downed the New York Giants, putting the Cowboys back in to sole possession of first place.
Really, that headline could also read "Giants help Cowboys," since it was more the Giants playing below expectations than the Redskins rising above them, with Eli Manning throwing three interceptions and repeated flubs by Hakeem Nicks. Credit should also go to the relentless pressure the Redskins managed, however.
The loss, coupled with the Cowboys win Saturday, guarantees Dallas will survive at least to Week 17 in playoff contention, and also guarantees the Cowboys have the intra-conference tie-breaker. Scenario run-down after the jump.
Cowboys def. Eagles, Giants def. Jets: Week 17 winner takes NFC East (Cowboys by record, Giants by head-to-head).
Cowboys def. Eagles, Jets def. Giants: Cowboys clinch division in Week 16, can rest in Week 17 (by record).
Eagles def. Cowboys, Jets def. Giants: Week 17 winner takes NFC East (Cowboys by record, Giants by head-to-head).
Eagles def. Cowboys, Giants def. Jets: Week 17 winner takes NFC East (Cowboys by intra-conference record, Giants by record).
The Seahawks (shockingly .500) also managed to upset the Bears in Chicago, giving the Cowboys slightly better hopes at the wild card, but we are most likely looking at a repeat of 2008. Win, you're in. Lose, and have a bitter rivalry game to dwell on for the off-season.