Matt Slocum / AP

Giants quarterback Eli Manning passes against the Cowboys in the first quarter.

That sounds pretty strange, given what people have been saying about him for the past two years. Mostly, the critics have questioned whether he’d ever be a winning NFL quarterback. This year, his fourth, was going to be his make-or-break season.

He came through so spectacularly that in the course of one evening the biggest question facing the team went from, “Can they win with Eli Manning at quarterback?” to, “Can they win without Eli Manning at quarterback?”

Now, without Manning for a month, the Giants' season is probably over as soon as it started.

It's a shame too, because for the first time in a long time, the NFC East showed that it has two teams that can do something other than play mind-numbing defense and somehow eke out just enough offense to win, but not enough to keep you glued to the tube lest you miss the next 40-yard run or 60-yard pass.

I know defense wins championships, and unless these teams find some D, they’re not even allowed to mention the phrase “Super Bowl.” But offense drives ratings, and both of these teams were well worth a late bedtime and short sleep heading into the work week.

We had thought the NFC East was in danger of losing its reputation as one of the best in the NFL. But if the offense shown by Dallas and New York wasn’t an illusion, that’s not going to be a problem. They’ll be in a lot of games, and they’ll be fun to watch.

I still don’t have much hope for the Deadskins, who had all they could do to beat a thoroughly ordinary Miami team in overtime. But the Eagles now become a team you want to see on the field against New York and Dallas.

That’s because Philadelphia plays defense. They may have lost their opener to Green Bay, but special team gaffes led to both Packer touchdowns. Other than two mistakes, the Eagles managed Brett Favre quite well, and if you can handle Favre, you can probably handle Romo and Manning — or at least make them work for their yards. And Philly’s offense could get healthy in a hurry against the defense Dallas and New York showed, though Manning's injury puts a small damper on that showcase.

But the NFC East is no longer the NFL’s dull division. Not after Sunday night in Dallas.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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