NFC East Predictions, Odds: Can Philadelphia Fly like Eagles Again?

Similar to the AFC West, judging by what happened in 2022, the NFC East feels like a division with one team far in the lead. Last year the Philadelphia Eagles flew high and not only won the division crown, but the number one seed in the NFC with relative ease. That said, at least two other clubs in this quartet should put up a good fight to challenge Philly’s status as the favourite.

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NFC East Preview

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys recently traded for QB Trey Lance from San Francisco. Of course, the official word is that none of us are supposed to make too much of Jerry Jones’ move, but the truth is everyone is looking at Dak Prescott and counting down a clock in their mind’s eye. Is Prescott a poor quarterback? Far from it. Is he the QB who can be the primary reason why a team wins a Super Bowl? Well…

2022 played out like a lot of campaigns in Dallas of the last decade that could be considered successful. It was a good year, but not a great year. Tony Pollard is now the undisputed number one running back in Big D, and the receiving corps isn’t short on talent with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup. Is it a lineup that will strike fear in opponents? No, but a lot of those guys helped the team win games last season. The defence has huge names, however. CB Trevon Diggs, CB Stephon Gilmore, defensive end Micah Parsons, etc.

Cowboys Record Prediction: 11-6

New York Giants

Brian Daboll’s work in New York last year earned him the Coach of the Year honour. The club went from a relatively moribund operation to a respectable 9-7-1 record that sent them to the playoffs. They even defeated the Vikings in the Wild Card round. Then an eventful offseason occurred during which QB Daniel Jones, a capable if unspectacular player, earned a huge pay raise. The offensive’s biggest weapon, RB Saquon Barkley, fought tooth and nail to earn a contract worth a few crumbs more than the franchise tag.

None of the receivers are very scary, so the Giants signed former Raider TE Darren Waller. Apart from a great running game, it’s the defence that holds its own in New York. The linebacker unit has a huge upside with players like former Colt Bobby Okereke, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Micah McFadden

Giants Record Prediction: 9-8

Philadelphia Eagles

The reigning division and conference champions enter the new season with a lot of swagger. In 2022 they had the best record in the NFL at 14-3 (with the Chiefs), were sensational on the attack and had one of the best overall defences league-wide. QB Jalen Hurts went from an interesting player with potential to a gunslinger who can terrorize opponents like nobody’s business.

The running back room is loaded with talent (led by D’Andre Swift), and receivers A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins, and TE Dallas Goedert make up one of the most ruthlessly efficient units in the NFL. Short of injuries and a nasty Super Bowl defeat hangover, it would be very surprising to see their production drop significantly. Philly is stacked on the other side of the ball as well with cornerback Darius Slay and linebackers Haason Reddick and Fletcher Cox (both are listed as questionable as of Labour Day). The NFC East is the Eagles’ division to lose.

Eagles Record Prediction: 12-5

Washington Commanders

The outlier. The question mark. The punching bag? We shall see. While a lot of ink was spilled last year and this offseason about the divisional rivals for their accomplishments, the Washington Commanders were in the spotlight mostly for what happened with management and ownership. That can be a good thing, and it may very well end up being one, but what about the product on the field?

Who is Sam Howell? The team’s starting quarterback (drafted in 2022). Both of the team’s most recognizable names on offence, WR Terry McLaurin and TE Logan Thomas are listed as questionable as of Labour Day. For all the on-field and off-the-field issues the Commanders dealt with in 2022, they finished 8-8-1, which is a lot better than what most people would have guessed. Ron Rivera will have to coach the heck out of these guys, but he largely did so last year, so it’s not impossible.

Commanders Record Prediction: 6-11