The NFC East is the division that grabs the headlines due to its tradition, popularity, and prestige. The division has showcased some of the best talents to play the game such as Emmitt Smith, Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, and Joe Theismann. The beauty of this particular division is that these teams are bitter rivals and produce some breathtaking finishes in NFL history. An interesting fact in this division is that no team has won the division in back-to-back seasons since the Eagles won it in 2002-2004. That stat indicates the competitive nature oamong the franchises and why all eyes will be on this division. In this article, we project how the teams will perform in 2023 and who will win the divisional crown.
1. Philadelphia Eagles:14-3
The Eagles have the best roster in the NFC and will be determined not just to get to the Super Bowl but to win it. The defense is relentless in their pursuit of the quarterback after finishing with 70 sacks which is just two short of the all-time record. The unit got even after the draft becuase they drafted Georgia’s defensive tackle, Jalen Carter, at number 9. On offense, the team is led by Jalen Hurts, flocked talented weapons such as D’Andre Swift, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert. The Eagles dominated the NFC playoff field en route to the Super Bowl in 2022. I expect them to win the division easily and be the likely number 1 seed in the conference.
2. Dallas Cowboys:11-6
The Cowboys are the most high-profile team in the league and are dubbed “America’s team”. Dallas ended the 2022 season with a disastrous 19-12 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round. The spotlight will be on Dak Prescott to deliver under pressure for his team this season as the man under center. The team had a key addition by picking up Brandon Cooks from the Houston Texas in the slot role to supplement the tandem of CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. At running back, the team decided to part ways with Ezekiel Elliot and install Tony Pollard as the top player at the position. One concern facing the unit is that they will be without former offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, for the upcoming season. However, what makes Dallas a contender is their defense led by Micah Parsons, and another season of these young players in Dan Quinn’s system will make them tough to score against. I expect Dallas to challenge the Eagles early in the season, but in the end, they will have to settle as the highest wild-card seed.
3. New York Giants: 9-8
The Giants were one of the few surprise teams in 2022. Brian Daboll orchestrated a turnaround in the Big Apple from a 4-13 record in 2021 to 9-7-1 last season. A key to the team’s success was unlocking the potential of Daniel Jones, who took a leap under the offensive guru. The offense is built around star running back, Saquon Barkley, and it should be a relief to everyone that he has decided to sign a 1-year extension with the team. The team also enhanced the offense by acquiring the ultra-talented, Darren Waller, from the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2023, the team heads into the season with a talented young roster, but the division will be too tough in challenging the Eagles and the Cowboys.
4. Washington Commanders: 4-13
Do you hear it? Fans in the nation’s capital are celebrating the demise of Daniel Snyder, owner of the football team. Snyder failed to produce a consistent winning team on the field, and off it was one of the most controversial figures in the sport. In 2022, the team was competitive by producing an 8-8-1 record, and was in the wild card scenario in the final few weeks of the season. This season, the team faces uncertainty because they lack a proven starting quarterback with Sam Howell, Jacoby Brissett, and Jake Fromm at the top of their quarterback. I like their ferocious defensive line, who are a threat to take over any game, but I doubt the offense will be able to keep up with their opponents. The addition of Eric Bienemy from the Chiefs as Offensive Coordinator will be a stabilizing force. However, the team will have too much to overcome to become a contender next season.