The Washington Commanders kept their momentum going after the bye week, defeating the New Orleans Saints by just one point, 20-19. The narrow win keeps the Commanders in the Wild Card race and in control of their own fate, although wins against the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons over the next two weeks are consequential.

Washington had control of the first half of the game and held New Orleans scoreless, 14-0. The defense attacked quarterback Jake Haener, who was starting in place of the injured Derek Carr, sacking him three times for a loss of 29 yards. Haener completed four-of-10 passes for 49 yards and threw an interception before taking a seat for the day.

Rookie Spencer Rattler took over the helm in the second half, causing problems for the Commanders and allowing the Saints to claw their way back into the game. It didn't help that quarterback Jayden Daniels was also sacked eight times, stifling the offense. New Orleans' failed two-point conversion attempt to win the game with seconds left on the clock was the difference-maker, although giving up a two-possession lead won't fly against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who made his Commanders' debut against his former team, could ground the Eagles, however. Lattimore played 53 snaps (96%) and his presence on the field alone was enough to strike fear in the opposition -- he wasn't targeted once all day and forced both Rattler and Haener to throw elsewhere. Lattimore will likely be matched up with top Philadelphia wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Locking those two down is pivotal to the Commanders' success Sunday.

The last time the two divisional opponents faced off, running back Saquon Barkley had a big game for the Eagles. The Commanders rank 25th in rushing defense and stopping Barkley is a tall task, although not impossible with the possible return of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, who was a limited practice participant this week despite being presumed out for the season with a pectoral injury.

As the Commanders prepare to take on the Eagles at home, let's look around the rest of the NFC East.

New York Giants (2-12)

The Giants were unable to overcome the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, falling 35-14 and maintaining the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. New York faces the Falcons and rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was announced as the starting quarterback earlier this week over the struggling Kirk Cousins. This throws a wrench in the Giants' game plan, as they'll likely have to rely on college tape to get an idea of Penix's game.

The Giants have had their fair share of quarterback woes this season, starting three different quarterbacks and playing a total of four. After sitting last week due to a heel injury, Drew Lock appears to be primed for his return and hopes to end the team's 9-game skid. The key to doing that remains to be seen, although the use of rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is a good start.

Nabers is 100 yards away from 1,000 receiving yards and has been crucial to New York's offense this season. He did, however, pop up on this week's injury report and has been limited in practice.

New York's defense will have to find a way to stop running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver threat Drake London without standout nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, who was placed on IR earlier this month following a Week 13 elbow injury. Outside linebacker Brian Burns is also listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury. A Falcons loss is crucial to the Commanders' playoff hopes, so fans might be rooting for the divisional rival to pull off a win this time around.

Dallas Cowboys (6-8)

The Cowboys defeated the Carolina Panthers in a stunning 30-14 win that made quarterback Cooper Rush look like a superstar. Rush had an excellent game, throwing for 214 yards and three touchdowns. Dallas found its way back to the win column without cornerback Trevon Diggs, who will miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for eight months.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the Cowboys' Week 16 Sunday Night Football test. The Buccaneers are on a four-game win streak and in a tight race with the Falcons for the NFC South title. Although Dallas faces longshot odds for a playoff berth, a win would provide the resurgence they need to finish the season strong.

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't practice Wednesday due to a knee injury, and his status for Sunday is in question. Mayfield's status could be good news for Dallas because its defense has struggled against the pass all year, ranking No. 21 in the League. Containing Mayfield (or whoever is quarterback, for that matter), could be the key to a Cowboys' win.

Offensively, the Cowboys will need to be consistent to compete. Their inability to finish strong has been a detriment all season, although their Week 15 win provided a glimpse of what's possible on offense.

Philadelphia Eagles (12-2)

Still atop the division and riding a 10-game win streak, the Eagles come into Northwest Stadium with a lot of momentum. With a win Sunday, the Eagles will secure the division crown which provides further motivation heading into Landover.

Philadelphia's clock management and boxing out of one of the top-rated defenses in the Pittsburgh Steelers was the most impressive part of its two-possession Week 15 win. The Eagles maintained possession of the ball for the final 10:29 on the clock, forcing the Steelers to use all three of their timeouts on the 21-play, 88 yard drive. Philadelphia dominated the clock in the second half with a total possession time of 24:10 compared to Pittsburgh's 5:50.

Aside from the Lattimore vs. Brown/Smith matchup, rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell defending veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin will be one to watch. Entering Week 16, McLaurin ranks No. 7 in the League in receiving yards (969), although the last time the two were matched up, McLaurin wasn't targeted once. With tight end Zach Ertz out with a concussion and wide receiver Noah Brown on IR, Mitchell will surely be tested.

The game will likely come down to whether the Commanders can lock down Barkley, who has been on an absolute tear all season. He's on pace for 2,000 rushing yards this season and brings the intensity all four quarters.