The NFC East is full of hatred and rivalry. For decades, these teams with some of the sport’s biggest names have battled. There has not been a back-to-back division winner since Andy Reid was in Philly so that would indicate the Eagles do not win the division. The NFC East as a collective had the best record in the league with even the fourth-place Commanders finishing with an 8-8-1 record.
New York Giants
The New York Giants overachieved last season. Did anyone expect them to make the playoffs and take out a thirteen-win team? When you put it in context, it was against Kirk Cousins, but nobody thought in Brian Daboll’s first year this team would even be good. Daniel Jones has made a massive jump, especially in reducing costly turnovers. While that has definitely contributed to last year’s success, they were still missing that explosive play down the field.
The Giants’ braintrust has made it clear they believe Jones will only continue to improve and he is their guy, rewarding him with a massive contract. They also brought back their other key players including star running back Saquon Barkley and Dexter Lawrence. Bringing in tight-end Darren Waller and drafting Jaylin Hyatt will hopefully open up the offense down field and create the big plays they have been missing.
Coming off an embarrassing 38-7 loss in Philadelphia to get ousted from the playoffs, the Giants know they still have a lot of ground to cover to be a true elite team this season. The Giants went 1-4-1 against division opponents something they really, really need to improve on.
Dallas Cowboys
Somehow the Cowboys are always mentioned as Super Bowl contenders every single season. Yes the team upgraded at many positions, but do you trust them this season when you’ve seen them find a way to blow it for so many years in the playoffs?
The team decided to move on from OC Kellen Moore and head coach Mike McCarthy will be calling plays this season; something he has not done since 2018. Â The defense is still led the best defensive player Micah Parsons. Their quarterback Dak Prescott, however, despite not playing in every game led the league in interceptions. Not exactly the formula for winning a championship. Ezekiel Elliot has left for New England and it’s all on Prescott to run the show in Jerry’s World.
Washington Commanders
Often overlooked in the division, the Commanders just hired Eric Bieniemy who can hopefully bring some of that magic from Kansas City to the nation’s capital. Bieniemy will be coaching fifth-round pick QB Sam Howell. Washington has struggled to find a franchise QB, but believe Howell with the coaching of Bieniemy could be it. Their offensive line has four new players on it which could make life harder for Howell.
It may seem hard to believe, but last year with Carson Wentz starting the majority of games this team almost made the playoffs. Washington still has a very good defensive front led by 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young. No matter what the Commanders’ final record is, they will be better because at least Dan Snyder is no longer involved.
Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off one of the best seasons in franchise history, a lot of the success can be attributed to Jalen Hurts’ elite level of play. It probably helps that he’s throwing to Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown, but he was also impressive all on his own. The team added some stud defenders from Georgia, including probably the best defensive player in the draft Jalen Carter, after losing five starters in free agency. That’s what makes this Philadelphia team special. They are able to plug any holes on their roster with even better players.
Philadelphia lost both coordinators so we will see how much that affects them. They also lost their starting running back Miles Sanders who went to Carolina. Philly still boasts one of the best offensive lines in football who have played together forever so there shouldn’t be much of a falloff. If this team stays healthy it is hard to not see them battling for a Super Bowl title in February.
