The NFC East’s long-standing curse has finally cracked, as the Philadelphia Eagles became the first team in more than twenty years to win the division in consecutive seasons.
The 29-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Saturday secured the Eagles’ second straight NFC East title.
The win capped a season that saw Philadelphia finish with a record that matched or surpassed many of its rivals.
The achievement marks a turning point for a division that has seen a new champion each year for two decades.
Back-to-Back Success
The Eagles’ triumph was not just a statistical milestone; it was a culmination of a season of hard work and resilience.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts reflected on the significance of the accomplishment.
“It’s something we gotta do first,” Hurts said this week about the possibility.
“Obviously, something we gotta do first. But something that’s always been on the back of my mind.”
His words underscore the sense of urgency that has driven the team from the start of the season.
A Century of Shifting Power
No franchise has claimed consecutive NFC East titles since the Eagles’ own run from 2001 to 2004, when they won four straight championships.
The last twenty seasons have been a carousel of winners, with each year a different team emerging at the top of the standings.
Center Cam Jurgens expressed disbelief at the rarity of the feat.
“Man, that’s crazy. It is crazy,” Jurgens said this week.
“It’s hard to put it into perspective. It just shows the run that this team has been on the last several years. It’s pretty cool.”
The data backs up the sentiment: in the last twenty seasons, the Eagles and Cowboys each captured seven division titles, while Washington and the Giants each won three.
This pattern of alternation has kept the NFC East one of the most competitive and unpredictable divisions in the NFL.
Voices from the Field
Players on the field have also weighed in on the historic accomplishment.
Saquon Barkley, who has spent his entire career in the NFC East, told reporters that he was “not surprised” the back-to-back streak had taken so long.
“Being in this division for the last eight years, you know how tough it is,” Barkley said.
“To do something that hasn’t been done in 20 years is pretty cool. But that can’t be the focus. Obviously, that’s the goal. But the focus has to bee on the little things. We put ourselves in position to do it. Now we just have to go and take advantage of it.”
Dallas Goedert, the Eagles’ longtime kicker, added that the team should keep its eyes on the broader season objectives.
“Obviously, it’s pretty cool knowing that’s a possibility but you don’t look too much at it knowing we have three games left that we have to get better and keep improving,” Goedert said this week.
“We’ll celebrate that after the game if it happens.”
The 2000-2025 Division Winners
A look back at the division’s history over the past quarter-century reveals the pattern of dominance and change.
- 2025: Eagles (10-5 and counting)
- 2024: Eagles (14-3)
- 2023: Cowboys (12-5)
- 2022: Eagles (14-3)
- 2021: Cowboys (12-5)
- 2020: Washington (7-9)
- 2019: Eagles (9-7)
- 2018: Cowboys (10-6)
- 2017: Eagles (13-3)
- 2016: Cowboys (13-3)
- 2015: Washington (9-7)
- 2014: Cowboys (12-4)
- 2013: Eagles (10-6)
- 2012: Washington (10-6)
- 2011: Giants (9-7)
- 2010: Eagles (10-6)
- 2009: Cowboys (11-5)
- 2008: Giants (12-4)
- 2007: Cowboys (13-3)
- 2006: Eagles (10-6)
- 2005: Giants (11-5)
- 2004: Eagles (13-3)
- 2003: Eagles (12-4)
- 2002: Eagles (12-4)
- 2001: Eagles (11-5)
- 2000: Giants (12-4)
Looking Ahead
While the back-to-back title cements the Eagles’ place in NFC East lore, the organization remains focused on larger ambitions for the season.
The franchise has set its sights on a playoff berth and beyond, and the recent division win is a key step toward those goals.
The coaching staff and players understand that the season is not over, and that continued improvement is essential.
As the team heads into the final stretch, the emphasis will be on maintaining consistency and capitalizing on the momentum built over the past weeks.
With three games remaining, the Eagles will look to secure a spot in the postseason and keep the momentum alive.
Key Takeaways
- The Eagles became the first NFC East team in over twenty years to win consecutive division titles.
- Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert all highlighted the significance of the achievement.
- The division’s history shows a steady rotation of champions, with the Eagles and Cowboys each winning seven titles in the last twenty seasons.
The Philadelphia Eagles’ back-to-back NFC East crowns signal a new era of stability for a division that has long been defined by its volatility. The victory is a testament to the team’s perseverance, strategy, and the collective effort of its players and coaching staff. As the Eagles move forward, the momentum from this season will undoubtedly shape their pursuit of deeper playoff success and a return to the pinnacle of the NFL.
