State of the NFC East through Week 12; all 4 teams above .500
It's funny how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Just two years ago, the Giants came awfully close to winning the NFC East with a 6-10 record. Instead, Washington took the division crown at 7-9, becoming just the fourth team with a record under .500 to make the playoffs since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger.
We are now entering Week 13 of the 2022 schedule, and amazingly all four teams within the NFC East own a record above .500. Even more impressively, if the playoffs were to start today, all four teams would be in the postseason.
The Philadelphia Eagles (10-1) currently own the NFL's best record and the No. 1 seed in the NFC, while the Dallas Cowboys (8-3), New York Giants (7-4) and Washington Commanders (7-5) make up the NFC's three Wild Card spots at the moment.
The Giants and Commanders face off this weekend in their first matchup of the season, with the second meeting coming just two weeks later. The Giants will welcome the Eagles to MetLife Stadium in the week between those two games, while the Commanders have their bye.
All four teams have at least two more divisional matchups left on their respective schedules. The Giants have the most with four (two against Commanders, two against Eagles).
The NFC East is the second division in which all four teams have at least seven wins through Week 12 since realignment in 2002, joining the AFC North in 2014.
The NFC East's combined winning percentage of .711 is the highest in the NFL. The AFC East is the only other division in which each team currently owns a record above .500 (combined winning percentage of .659). The NFC and AFC East together have a record of 61-28, which is the best combined record by any two divisions through Week 12 since the 1970 merger, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Once again, the New York Giants are bringing back their classic blue uniforms from the '80s and '90s this Sunday as part of two Legacy Games presented by Quest.
QB Daniel Jones (8)
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WR Kenny Golladay (19)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
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QB Daniel Jones (8)
S Xavier McKinney (29)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
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Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kayvon Thibodeaux (5)
Jaylon Smith (54)
Nick Williams (93)
Dexter Lawrence (97), D.J. Davidson (98)
Tanner Hudson (88)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Tae Crowder (48)
Jihad Ward (55)
Jaylon Smith (54), Tae Crowder (48), Dane Belton (24)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26), Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Tae Crowder (48)
Tae Crowder (48)
Daniel Jones (8), Ben Bredeson (68)
Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76), Daniel Jones (8)
Jamie Gillan (6), Graham Gano (9)
Ben Bredeson (68), Mark Glowinski (64), Jon Feliciano (76)
Saquon Barkley (26)
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Saquon Barkley (26)
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Micah McFadden (41), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Julian Love (20)
Dexter Lawrence (97), Azeez Ojulari (51)
Tae Crowder (48), Kayvon Thibodeaux (5), Micah McFadden (41)
Daniel Jones (8)
Tyrod Taylor (2), Saquon Barkley (26)
Xavier McKinney (29), Fabian Moreau (37)
Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
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Daniel Jones (8), Daniel Bellinger (82)
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QB Daniel Jones (8)
DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
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DL Leonard Williams (99)
RB Saquon Barkley (26)
T Andrew Thomas (78)
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DL Leonard Williams (99)
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T Andrew Thomas (78), LB Azeez Ojulari (51)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
QB Daniel Jones (8)
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Nick Gates named Giants' recipient of Ed Block Courage Award
Nick Gates, who was sidelined for 410 days after suffering a horrific leg injury but returned to the Giants' starting lineup on Thanksgiving, has been named the team's recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.
"It was pretty cool," said Gates, who learned he received the honor when coach Brian Daboll announced it in a recent team meeting. "I got voted by my teammates for it. I knew I was up for it, but I didn't know I was getting told that day.
"I was a little shocked. I didn't think I was going to get it. (Wide receiver) Sterling (Shepard) was on the list. And I think (quarterback) Daniel Jones, too. Those are two good people – people that are loved by their teammates and are good leaders in the locker room. They display a lot of things that are on that list. So, to be able to get picked in a group like that, it was awesome."
Gates, an offensive lineman who turned 27 Sunday, has played in the Giants' last four games, a remarkable comeback for a player who wondered if he would ever suit up again.
Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honor NFL players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. The award is unique in that the recipients are selected solely by a vote of their teammates. Every fall, all 32 teams conduct a vote which results in each team selecting their Ed Block Courage Award recipient.
The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. He is also a community role model. With this honor, Gates enters into an association by becoming a major component of the Courage House National Support Network for Kids. He becomes an Ambassador of Courage for victims of abuse, violence and neglect.
View photos of Giants offensive lineman Nick Gates throughout his NFL career.
Daniel Jones (8), Nick Gates (65), Tyrod Taylor (2)
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) is carted off the the field after getting injured during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
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New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Mark Glowinski (64), Nick Gates (65), Jack Anderson (77)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Nick Gates (65)
Jack Anderson (77), Tyre Phillips (79), Matt Peart (74), Jon Feliciano (76), Devery Hamilton (62), Nick Gates (65), Korey Cunningham, Mark Glowinski (64)
New York Giants offensIve lineman Nick Gates (65) signs an autograph following training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Wednesday July 27, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
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Nick Gates (65), Shane Lemieux (66)
Evan Neal (73), Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) lays on the field as members of the team medical staff tend to him during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Gates sustained an injury on the play and was carted off the field. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) acknowledges the crowds as he is carted off the field after sustaining an injury during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) takes part in a week 15 regular season game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium on Sunday December 15, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 16 regular season game against the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field on Sunday December 22nd, 2019 in Landover, Maryland
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on Sunday December 29th, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during the coin toss before a preseason game against the New England Patriots on Sunday August 29th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during minicamp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Thursday June 10, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) celebrates a touchdown with New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) during a preseason game against the New England Patriots on Sunday August 29th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a training camp scrimmage at Met Life Stadium on Friday August 28, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) and guard Kevin Zeitler (70) during a week 10 regular season football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 15th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) snaps the ball to New York Giants quarterback Colt McCoy (12) during a week 15 regular season football game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium on December 20th, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) lays on the field as members of the team medical staff tend to him during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, in Landover, Md. Gates sustained an injury on the play and was carted off the field. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) during a training camp practice at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday August 18, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
OL Nick Gates (65) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
OLB Nick Gates (65) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
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OL Nick Gates (65) at New York Giants Training Camp 2019 at Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, NJ
Nick Gates (65), Mark Glowinski (64)
Nick Gates (65)
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Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
Andrew Thomas (78), Nick Gates (65)
Daniel Jones (8), Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a week 17 regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on January 3, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
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Nick Gates (65), Johnny Stanton (40)
Nick Gates (65)
Jack Anderson (77), Tyre Phillips (79), Matt Peart (74), Jon Feliciano (76), Devery Hamilton (62), Nick Gates (65), Korey Cunningham, Mark Glowinski (64)
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants at Washington Football Team 2021
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday August 14th, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65)
Nick Gates (65), Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Daniel Jones (8)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) and Daniel Jones (8) during a game against the New England Patriots on August 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants Offensive Line helps at the Food Bank for NYC in Harlem, New York
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a game against the New England Patriots on August 29, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey
New York Giants guard Nick Gates participates during a scrimmage at the NFL football team's training camp, Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Cleveland Browns' Malcolm Smith (56) breaks up a pass to New York Giants' Nick Gates (65) from Riley Dixon (9) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
New York Giants running back Wayne Gallman (22) celebrates a touchdown with New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 in Landover, Md. The Giants defeated Washington 23-20 (Amanda Bowen via AP)
New York Giants guard Nick Gates (65) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) prepares to snap the ball during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Denver Broncos won 27-13. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday November 21, 2022 in East Rutherford, NJ (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Daniel Jones (8), Nick Gates (65), Tyrod Taylor (2)
Jack Anderson (77), Tyre Phillips (79), Matt Peart (74), Jon Feliciano (76), Devery Hamilton (62), Nick Gates (65), Korey Cunningham, Mark Glowinski (64)
Nick Gates (65), Mark Glowinski (64)
Mark Glowinski (64), Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) during a NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday November 24, 2022 in Arlington, Texas (Evan Pinkus\New York Giants )
Nick Gates (65)
New York Giants center Nick Gates (65) before a football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday October 30, 2022 in Seattle, Washington (Evan Pinkus/NY Giants)
