NFC East Preview

The Eagles won four consecutive NFC East Division titles from 2001-2004. Since then, no team has repeated as division champion. The Eagles look to change that this season. The defending Super Bowl champs appear more than likely to defend their NFC East title and won’t relinquish their Super Bowl crown very easily.

Here is a look at all four teams and our predictions:

Philadelphia Eagles
Last year: 13-4, won the division, the NFC championship and the Super Bowl.
Key newcomers: LB Jihaad Campbell (first-round draft choice, No. 31 overall from Alabama), CB Adoree Jackson (5 passes defended for the NY Giants), WR John Metchie (24 receptions, 254 yards, 1 TD in 13 games for Houston).
Top trio: QB Jalen Hurts (Super Bowl MVP, 71.4 completion percentage for 726 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception, 194 yards rushing, 5.7 avg. and five TDs in four playoff games), RB Saquon Barkley (2,005 yards rushing, 5.8 avg., 13 TDs); RT Lane Johnson (6-6, 325, sixth Pro Bowl).

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Washington Commanders
Last year: 12-5 (lost to Eagles, 55-23, in the NFC championship game).
Key newcomers: LT Laremy Tunsil (acquired from Houston, made fifth Pro Bowl last season), WR Deebo Samuel (51 receptions, 670 yards, three TDs with San Francisco), LB Von Miller (six sacks with Buffalo).
Top trio: QB Jayden Daniels (3,568 yards passing, 25 TDs, 891 yards rushing, six TDs); WR Terry McLauren (82 receptions, 1,096 yards, 13 TDs); MLB Bobby Wagner (132 tackles).
Strengths: The addition of Samuel gives the offense another playmaker for Daniels, who looks to take the next step in his second year. 
Biggest question: The offensive line is considered below average. Pro Football Focus ranked it No. 19 in the preseason. 
Outlook: The Commanders should be division contenders and a playoff team, but the NFL now has had a year of scouting Daniels and it will be interesting if the former Heisman Trophy winner from LSU adjusts to the adjustments that teams are making in defending him. Last year the Commanders were one of the surprises in the NFL and this season they won’t be able to sneak up on anybody. 

Dallas Cowboys
Last year: 7-10.
Key newcomers: WR George Pickens (59 receptions, 900 yards and three TDs with Pittsburgh); OG Tyler Booker (first round draft choice, No 12 overall, from Alabama); LB Jack Sanborn (35 tackles last season for Chicago).
Top Trio: QB Dak Prescott (1,978 yards passing, 11 TDs, 8 INT in eight games); WR CeeDee Lamb (101 receptions, 1,194 yards, six TDs); DE Micah Parsons (12 sacks in 13 games).
Strengths: Prescott, if healthy, is an above average QB, although he’s paid like a superstar. Pickens and Lamb should be one of the top receiving tandems. Parsons (who at press time was in a contract dispute) is a one-man wrecker. 
Biggest questions: The offensive line will need to improve. Pro Football Focus ranked it 23^rd this preseason. The Parsons contract situation has to be resolved. The Cowboys need to get more pressure from their defensive line, outside of Parsons.
Outlook: The biggest problem is that owner Jerry Jones has run the team into the ground and has made things more about him than the players. Jones won three Super Bowls early in his tenure, but Jimmy Johnson laid the foundation for those teams. With Jones calling the shots, Dallas has been a disaster. This year the Cowboys could be an outside playoff contender, but a lot would have to go right for that to happen.

New York Giants
Last year: 3-14.
Key newcomers: Edge Abdul Carter (first round draft choice, No. 3 overall, from Penn State); QB Jaxson Dart (first round draft choice, No. 25 overall from Mississippi); FS Jevon Holland (62 tackles, 4 passes defended with Miami).
Top Trio: WR Malik Nabers (109 receptions, 1,204 yards, seven TDs); LT Andrew Thomas (appeared in six games last year); LB Brian Burns (71 tackles, 8.5 sacks).
Strengths: Nabers is a game-changer at wide receiver, but there were some durability concerns as a freshman. Carter should soon become one, even if he isn’t a starter at first. The Giants should have one of the top pass rushes in the NFL.
Biggest questions: The quarterback situation. Russell Wilson has been brought in, seemingly as the placeholder for Dart, who has enjoyed an impressive preseason. Still, nobody knows how much production the Giants will get at the most important position. The offensive line was ranked 28^th by Pro Football Focus. Thomas has only played 16 games over the past two years and if he can stay healthy, then the line should improve. The secondary is not a team strength. 
Outlook: This is a team that could have a bright future, it just isn’t likely to happen this year. If Carter and Dart are the building blocks the Giants anticipate, then this will be a team to reckon with in the future. This year? If the Giants can double their win total, it should be considered a good season.

Photo: Eagles QB Jalen Hurts / Courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles

Author: Marc Narducci