It's happening again.
The NFC East hasn't been decided by more than a one-game margin since 2017. It hasn't had a repeat champion since 2004. Those unfamiliar with the NFL who merely eavesdrop on media coverage of the sport might truly believe the division's official name is the "Wide-Open NFC East."
This year was supposed to be different. With star quarterback Dak Prescott healthy again, the Dallas Cowboys looked not only like a shoo-in for the division crown at midseason, but also a prime Super Bowl contender. Few would have faulted you for writing off the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles or Washington Football Team when those three were all either 3-5 or 2-6 and the Cowboys were 6-1 at the eight-week mark.