Four teams, two weeks, zero wins: The NFC East just cemented its place in NFL infamy, becoming the first division in NFL history to have all four teams go winless in back-to-back weeks with a staggering 0-6-2 record. It’s been the worst division in football all year, and their Monday night showing against the 49ers only solidified that brutal truth.
The Commanders’ Season Is a Trainwreck of Blown Opportunities
The Commanders, sitting at a dismal 1-4-1, showed flashes of just how good they *could* be against the 49ers, but honestly? It felt like they slept-walked through the entire first half before finally shooting to life over the final two quarters. Quarterback Jayden Daniels came alive in the second half, throwing for 212 of his 300 passing yards, and he did that despite losing receiver Terry McLaurin to injury early on.
But here’s the kicker, and this is where the real frustration boils over: Daniels had *another* game management gaffe. After botching the clock against the Giants in Week 5, he had yet another embarrassing play when he threw away a pass on fourth down. The worst part? Head coach Dan Quinn thought it was third down. Your head coach and your quarterback cannot be making mistakes like that, especially not two weeks in a row. It’s baffling. At 1-4-1, the Commanders are in deep trouble, though their season technically isn’t over by any means, purely because they play in the currently worst division in the NFL. That’s a grim silver lining.
The AFC North Is a Whole Different Beast, With Shockers Everywhere
While the NFC East crumbles, the AFC North is suddenly looking like the best division in the NFL, a total flip of the script. The Cleveland Browns pulled off a wild fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Ravens 13-10, and thanks to that win, Cleveland is now in first place. That marks the first time in 12 YEARS the Browns have been in first place after Week 6. You read that right: 12 years!
Not to be outdone, Pittsburgh also pulled out a wild comeback. The Steelers were down by 13 points against the Buccaneers before surging back to beat Tampa Bay in overtime. That was the Steelers’ largest fourth-quarter comeback since 2002.
Then there’s the Ravens. Their loss to the Browns marked the 15th time since 2020 that they’ve blown a fourth-quarter lead of seven points or more. Think about that: that’s the most blown leads in the NFL in that span, and no other team even has 10. Yikes. And what about the Bengals? They were 3-2 and tied for second place going into their Week 6 bye. After all that Sunday craziness, they’re now in *last place* in the division. If the Bengals were in the NFC East, they’d be in first place, but they’re not. It just shows you how tough that AFC North actually is right now.
49ers Win, But Not Without Showing Cracks
The 49ers walked away with a 23-17 win over the Commanders, and honestly, they looked invincible during a first half where they racked up more than 300 yards. But this team certainly does have some weaknesses. For one, they need to stay healthy. Mike Evans, for example, left with an injury in the second quarter, which is exactly the kind of thing that can derail a strong start. They got a ‘B’ grade for their performance, which tells you it wasn’t perfect, despite the victory.
So, what’s next for these teams? The Commanders, despite the 1-4-1 record and the repeated gaffes from their leadership, are still technically in the hunt simply because they play in the NFL’s worst division. They’ve gotta figure out how to put a full game together and get their QB and coach on the same page, or it’s gonna be a long, painful season. Meanwhile, the AFC North is a dogfight, with the Browns on top after 12 years and the Ravens crumbling in the fourth quarter, every game is gonna feel like a playoff matchup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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