The NFC East could produce a 4-win playoff team, which is the saddest thing ever

There’s always a good, a bad, and an ugly in life. When talking about the NFC East, ugly might not be enough. 

How low is too low for expectations? Well, if things play out this way for the remainder of the year, the NFC East could become the worst winning — and we use that word very lightly — division in the history of the NFL since the league merger officially took place.

Through their first six games, the NFC East as a whole has combined for a 5-18-1 start. Three teams currently have one win, one has a tie after barely surviving a showdown with the Bengals, and Dallas would currently be the representative with two total victories.

In a year that seemed to be a race between two clubs looking to join the contenders’ circle, the Eagles and Cowboys have immensely stepped back. Injuries can make or break a team, and both parties have seen their fair share of players head to the injured reserved.

Teams have problems, but a whole division in shambles?

Carson Wentz’s regression brings concerns for his longevity in Philadelphia, but look at his current cast of weapons. Entering Thursday night, the former No.2 pick will be without three offensive linemen, three wide receivers, his go-to running back and perhaps both tight ends. No wonder the offense ranks 26th in yards per game and has allowed a league-high 25 sacks.

Since his arrival, Dak Prescott’s been given ample time to become a technician through the air thanks to a stout offensive line. In one offseason and six games, Travis Fredrick retired, La’el Collins and Tyron Smith have headed to the IR and Zach Martin is now in concussion protocol. Prescott, who was playing in a contract season, also will hang up his cleats after suffering a gruesome ankle injury against the New York Giants.

Let’s not get started on that “Lone Star” defense; that’s a completely different problem worth 1,000 words.

Speaking of the Giants, can things get worse? Daniel Jones’ struggles were masked thanks to the running game provided by Saquon Barkley. He’ll miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. Outside of Darius Slayton, there isn’t a target with more than 177 yards or even a touchdown. Jones, who’s started all six games, has fewer touchdown passes (3) than Dywane Haskins Jr., who currently is Washington’s No.3 quarterback.

Everyone knew the Washington Football Team would struggle when they couldn’t even come up with a better name after 40-plus years. The pass defense has improved, ranking No.2 in average yards allowed per game.Outside of that, plus young talents like Terry McLaurin, Chase Young and Montez Sweat, this was always set to be a rebuilding year.

The battle for best loser still likely comes down to Philadelphia and Dallas. The Cowboys still have outings against Pittsburgh, Baltimore and San Francisco while the Eagles take on Cleveland, Seattle, Green Bay, New Orleans and Arizona. With the duo still having a pair of games against each other, that could decide who gets to host an absolute playoff blowout and who will be on the couch laughing with the rest of America.

The last time a sub .500 team made the postseason came in 2014 when the 7-8-1 Carolina Panthers represented the abysmal NFC South. Who knows? Maybe that tie against Joe Burrow can help the Eagles fly into postseason play with a mediocre 6-9-1 finish.