In recent years, one of the NFL’s most high-profile divisions has become a bit of a slumber party as two teams have run over their division counterparts. The NFC East has been run by the Cowboys and Eagles in recent seasons, with both teams backing their quarterbacks to keep the playoffs relevant. However, for the first time in years, there is a small window for the Giants and Commanders to make some progress within the division. The Cowboys have left themselves a bit vulnerable on the field after a quiet offseason, leaving them just mortal enough where one of the perennial bottom-dwellers can strike.
While the Cowboys haven’t made much progress this season, it would still be a bit of a pain if they actually lost to the Giants or Commanders in the NFC East this season. They still have the best quarterback in the division in Dak Prescott, and a non-quarterback duo of edge rusher Micah Parsons and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb will always give them a chance to win any game. That’s assuming Dallas can get a deal done with Lamb, who left minicamp this month. This has become an incredibly top-heavy roster. The Cowboys need some younger players to develop significantly this summer to hold their own against the Eagles, but as things stand now, Dallas is achievable.
Not only is Dallas viable this year, but what happens in the NFC East this year will go a long way in deciding exactly how far they go in the division in the coming years. It’s been said ad nauseam, but the team still has Prescott for another year, giving the Cowboys a touch of flexibility for the future if this season doesn’t go as well as they’d hoped. That also opens up an opportunity for the Giants and Commanders to come in and, quite frankly, stop being losers.
As far as which bottom dweller has the best chance of actually beating Dallas this season? It’s a bit difficult to determine who is better, but the Giants feel like the best choice based on the talent they were able to acquire this season. Dexter Lawrence is arguably the best defensive tackle in the NFL in a post-Aaron Donald world and they just added star edge rusher Brian Burns to join him and Kayvon Thibodeaux up front. As the Giants try to figure out who their offensive playmakers will be this season, they have a strong core of defensive players to lean on as they try to make their play for the rest of the division. Sixth overall draft pick and wideout Malik Nabers needs to be a strong offensive force as a rookie to make this more feasible, which is possible given his draft status and talent level.
The Commanders have the starting quarterback wild card, but if Jayden Daniels is who they think he is, at least Washington will finally have the quarterback who can be a threat to Dallas. In that respect, it has been tough for the Commanders in recent years. They had to pass players like Sam Howell and Taylor Heinicke before pulling the trigger on Daniels. The rookie QB at least has a few potential playmakers to help his cause in taking down the Cowboys, but it won’t be easy – especially considering the lack of offensive line talent the Commanders have currently assembled.
Neither the Giants nor the Commanders will be able to touch the Eagles barring a historic string of injuries – they’re just way too far ahead. However, they may be able to give the Cowboys a run for their money just because of where the Cowboys find themselves after a period of inactivity. The NFC East could see the Eagles win the division again, but second place should have a little more competition than in recent seasons.
Hey, it’s something to look forward to this year as we’re inundated with a new slate of NFC East primetime games.
