6 takeaways from Episode 1 of 'Hard Knocks': In-Season with NFC East

The NFC East is experiencing something of a down year, but there are still two teams in playoff contention, and the pressure is set to increase immensely.

The season began with three legitimate potential 2025 playoff teams and numerous storylines. Thirteen weeks of the season have been completed, but the storylines will now intensify as HBO's Hard Knocks takes an inside, in-season look at this historic division. Fans will now have an up-close look at the Eagles and Cowboys' quest for a division title, while the Commanders and Giants will look to keep their quarterbacks healthy as both teams prepare for the 2026 NFL draft.

We're looking at six takeaways from the first episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks" Inside The NFC East.

The series will debut on Tuesday, December 2, on HBO and stream on Max. Subsequent Tuesdays will air through the end of the NFL regular season and continue into the NFL playoffs in January 2026.

Everything starts with the champs.

Whether it's Nick Sirianni and Brandon Graham getting biblical at practice or the first scene starting at AT&T Stadium, the first episode opens with the Eagles and the Cowboys.

“Haven’t you heard the sky is falling?”

And that was before the loss to Chicago.

Tush Push gets some love.

Using 'Keep on Pushing' from Curtis Mayfield and 'The Impressions' from 1964, Hard Knocks highlighted the Eagles' Tush Push and the difficulties of the final stretch run of the regular season.

Hard Knocks highlighted the Jalen Hurts fumble on the Tush Push, and Hurts took accountability for the fumble and for the miscommunication with DeVonta Smith.

Brian Schottenheimer has some juice.

Whether it's post-game speeches (win over Eagles) or his high energy during team meetings, the Cowboys head coach has the attention of his team, and the support of his All-Pro quarterback. After the three-game win streak, beating both 2024 Super Bowl teams, and getting back above .500, the Cowboys are the team to watch.

Jameis Winston

Whether it's being the quarterback of any specific team or displaying his media chops, the Giants' backup quarterback is a media star, and his recent touchdown catch was a highlight of the show after Winston congratulated Prescott on becoming the Cowboys' all-time leading passer.

Giants are still competing post Brian Daboll.

The Giants have had some tremendous ups and downs, and while the roster is stacked with talent, Brian Daboll won't be around to see Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers all develop together. The Giants fired their head coach following a 24-20 loss ot the Chicago Bears. Daboll became the second NFL coach fired this season, following the Titans' decision to part ways with head coach Brian Callahan. Daboll, in his fourth year with the Giants, had a 2-8 record this season, and the team set a franchise record with 11 straight road losses. That came a year after the Giants set a franchise record with a 10-game losing streak in 2024. Former NFL quarterback and Eagles draft pick Mike Kafka was named the Giants' interim head coach, and Hard Knocks gave some insight into the post-Daboll era and the Giants' defense following the firing of defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.

Jayden Daniels' dislocated elbow

Washington entered the season confident and appeared to be a Super Bowl hopeful after reaching the NFC Championship game. Terry McLaurin's off-season and training camp holdout set the tone for negative energy, as he's only played in four games. Injuries to Jayden Daniels, coupled with inconsistent play, have left this franchise at 3-9 after a 27-26 overtime loss to the Broncos. Episode 1 gave some insight into how the Commanders do business and what life is like for Daniels as he rehabs from an elbow injury.

94WIP gets the focus

When Philadelphia media learned the NFC East would be featured on Hard Knocks, bets were taken on whether 94 WIP or 97.5 The Fanatic would be featured first. WIP and their show with Jordan Mailata at Chickies and Pete's got the focus.

Keeping the main thing the main thing

Jalen Hurts got his feature time, and keeping the main thing, the making thing, was a focal point of the Eagles' preparation for the Black Friday matchup against the Bears. Brandon Graham is back, and a deep conversation with Nick Sirianni about things falling into place at the right time took focus.

Nick Sirianni on life lessons and adversity

Whether you are a doctor, teacher, Lawyer, janitor, head coach, or NFL quarterback, you'll deal with adversity, and you'll need to be mentally tough. A pre-Black Friday conversation between Sirianni and Amazon Prime's Al Michaels highlighted the Eagles' philosophy from the top down.

“ Everyday in every way I am getting better”

“Do epic shit”

How good is Dak Prescott playing

Dak Prescott currently leads the NFL with 3,261 passing yards, a feat he has never accomplished before. He is on track to surpass 4,000 yards for the fourth time in his career. His completion percentage of 69.3% would be the second-highest of his career. With 25 touchdown passes so far, Prescott is likely to end the season with at least 30 touchdowns for the fourth time, and he has a chance to challenge his career record of 37.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Hard Knocks In-Season With The NFC East: 6 takeaways from Episode 1