What a race we have. The Cowboys and Redskins both won in Week 15, the Giants lost big on the road, and with two weeks to play we have three 8-6 teams atop the division. (Pity the poor Eagles, who likely watched the madness from home on Sunday after their blowout loss on Thursday.) The madness is just beginning.

COWBOYS

What we learned: We were wrong to think the Cowboys were dead a few weeks ago when the Redskins dropped them to 5-6 on Thanksgiving Day. Three consecutive wins, including Week 15’s dramatic overtime victory over the Steelers at home, have the Cowboys in a three-way tie atop the NFC East with the Redskins and Giants. Technically, by tiebreaking procedures, the Cowboys are in second behind the Redskins, but Dallas holds its own fate. Tony Romo became the first QB in 21 games against the Steelers to throw for more than 300 yards. The Cowboys’ special teams was solid down the stretch, and a tired defense found a second wind. CB Brandon Carr’s overtime interception set up the game-winning field goal in the 27-24 thriller.

What’s in store next: The Cowboys can win the division with two victories, starting with next Sunday’s home game against the Saints. Drew Brees showed last week that the Saints, despite being out of the playoff hunt, are not giving up. He shredded the Buccaneers’ defense and is capable of doing the same to the Cowboys. Dallas really can’t afford to lose any remaining games with so many other teams in the playoff mix in the NFC.