Giants strengthen NFC East lead during bye week

The Giants improved their position in the NFC East without taking the field in Week 8. While New York rested, the Cowboys let a 14-point fourth-quarter advantage slip away in a loss to the Cardinals, and Washington beat Philadelphia on Sunday night. The Giants stand at 4-2-1, ahead of Dallas at 3-5, Washington at 2-4-1 and the Eagles at 2-6.

The losses deepen the problems facing New York’s division rivals. Dallas has dropped three of its past four games, and its defense struggled after Gardner Minshew replaced Jacoby Brissett during the Cardinals game. Philadelphia has lost six straight and is 0-3 with Tanner McKee starting in place of Jalen Hurts, who is out for the season with blood clots. The Eagles have been outscored 90-45 in those three games.

Washington’s win offered a lift, but the team is also dealing with injuries. Jayden Daniels is playing with an elbow problem that is expected to require surgery after the season, while Terry McLaurin and Daron Payne are out for the year. The Commanders are 2-4-1, level with Dallas in the standings cited by the reports.

New York’s season has also been disrupted by injuries. Jaxson Dart, the team’s signal-caller, and Brian Burns, its pass-rushing defender, were both lost for the season early on. Jameis Winston went 2-1-1 as quarterback before the Giants acquired J.J. McCarthy from Minnesota in late September. McCarthy has since taken over as starter and helped the team win in Houston before the bye.

The Giants visit Philadelphia on Sunday, then host Washington four days later. Their later schedule includes San Francisco, Jacksonville, Seattle and Detroit, leaving a difficult stretch ahead even as New York has a chance to widen its division lead.