Giants can take commanding NFC East lead by ending Eagles nightmare

PHILADELPHIA — The Giants were headed into their bye week, holding a surprising lead of 1.5 games in the NFC East.The division certainly appeared to be wide open.  Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers.

Or not. “I don’t see it wide open at all,’’ right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor told The Post at the time.“I think it’s ours.

I think we just keep doing our thing, week in and week out, we’ll see what happens this week with these teams, but we’re in first place for a reason, because we earned it, and I think we’re truly starting to figure out the team we are now and how good we can be and how great we can be possibly.’’ What happened with those teams in Week 8 played out completely how the Giants wanted to see it transpire.The Cowboys blew a lead and lost to the Cardinals in overtime.

The Eagles’ demise continued with a loss to the Commanders in an inter-division tussle between the two bottom-feeders.As they parted ways for a few days to catch their breath and soothe their aching muscles, the Giants (4-2-1) added to their hold on first place. This week, they can further distance themselves from the pack.

There is Sunday’s meeting with the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, otherwise known as the House of Horrors for the Giants.There is a quick turnaround for Thursday night’s rematch with the Commanders at MetLife Stadium (they tied the first meeting a month ago in Landover, Md.). “Not to look ahead to the game on Thursday, this is a pivotal part of our season coming up with two division games that can really help us down the road,’’ guard Jon Runyan Jr.

told The Post. No, coach John Harbaugh did not print up “2-0’’ shirts to encapsulate the task at hand this week, but he did say after beating the Texans in overtime, “The two most important games of the season will be coming up after the bye, which will set the direction for the rest of the seaso...