The NFC East odds would suggest that this will once again be a two-horse race for the division between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, with the Washington Commanders and New York Giants slugging it out to avoid last place. However, this division is rarely predictable, which is what makes it one of the most exciting in the entire NFL.
Can the Commanders or Giants be a surprise contender this year, or will it be a fourth-straight year in which we see Philadelphia and Dallas battle it out? Let’s take a look at the NFC East odds and who our betting experts believe is the team to back this year.
What Are the NFC East Odds To Win the Division?
- Philadelphia Eagles -120
- Dallas Cowboys +160
- Washington Commanders +900
- New York Giants +2000
Top Picks in the NFC East
From 2001 to 2004, the Eagles won the NFC East, dominating in the early Donovan McNabb era. Since then, no team has won the division in consecutive years.
That’s right — it’s been 20 years since we had a back-to-back winner.
We should’ve had one last year. The Eagles were cruising to a division title before things fell apart over the latter portion of the season.
The Cowboys are a very good team, but the Eagles are still the best team in this division. They should’ve won it last year. We can only wonder how much Jalen Hurts’ knee injury was hampering him.
Since last year, Philadelphia has added Saquon Barkley and upgraded at offensive coordinator to Kellen Moore. I expect them to be much more cohesive and more consistent. The Eagles are favorites for a reason, but we don’t have to lay any juice to bet them.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles +100
– Jason Katz, PFN Betting and Fantasy Analyst
I’ve got a team from this division representing the conference in the Super Bowl, and while they could get there from the Wild Card spot, I’m sticking with them to win the division.
Since 2016
- All 16 conference winners have allowed under 42% third-down conversion.
- Fifteen of 16 have had a passer rating north of 97.5.
- The average dropback percentage of conference champions was 59.6%.
There is only one team in either conference that checked all of those boxes: the Dallas Cowboys.
READ MORE: Super Bowl Winner — Trends To Narrow Down the Field
That’s right. The franchise that hasn’t made a Super Bowl appearance since Tupac passed away is my pick. Dallas is looking to become the fifth team in the 2000s to win 12+ games in four straight seasons, all of whom had significantly more postseason success.
- Colts (2003-09): One title in two appearances
- Patriots (2010-17): Two titles in four appearances
- Broncos (2012-15): One title in two appearances
- Chiefs (2018-22): Two titles in three appearances
Regular-season success doesn’t win you anything in the postseason. However, regular-season dominance at this level typically involves not one but multiple runs through your conference.
Pick: Dallas Cowboys +160
– Kyle Soppe, PFN Betting and Fantasy Analyst
So, each of my colleagues above has taken a different team. I’ll break the tie, and it’s an easy one for me: Eagles.
Admittedly, the value is long gone from the days in which the Eagles were not the favorite and could’ve been bought at +150, but I’m still taking them if forced to pick a division champ.
The line move to Philadelphia as the favorite is the right one. Top to bottom, the roster is just stronger and better. The Eagles’ major weakness, in my mind, is internal, as none of us are sure Nick Sirianni has the locker room.
I have news for you. It isn’t any better in Big D, where Mike McCarthy is working without a contract past 2024 and the QB and WR are unhappy with their current deals. So throwing out the fact that both teams have locker room issues, the Eagles have the better roster and will win the division.
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles -120
– David Bearman, Chief Content Officer