The NFC East is different. Every year moderately intelligent analysts try to predict the outcome of a division that’s as erratic as a Shintaro Fujinami fastball. What are the rosters looking like as we approach the NFL regular season, and which team could usurp the current crown bearers?
Be sure to check out our other divisional power rankings here: AFC East | AFC South | AFC North | AFC West | NFC South
NFC East Power Rankings
The last time a team repeated as the NFC East division champions were the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 and 2004. The Eagles accomplished that during a run of four consecutive division titles beginning in 2000.
But no team has done it in nearly 20 years. Could the Eagles break the cycle, or will history repeat itself? Money should probably go to the former, even if confidence sits with the latter. After all, you have to play the odds.
1) Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lost both coordinators in the offseason, but they may not have actually lost out on the deal.
Shane Steichen is outstanding, but Jalen Hurts literally grew up around Brian Johnson, and Philadelphia’s new OC is no rookie play-caller, even if it’ll be his first time as a pro. Jonathan Gannon was hired as a head coach because teams believed he could be a top-tier CEO, not necessarily for his revolutionary defensive coaching. Sean Desai is a net positive.
There are new pieces on defense, and the safety unit isn’t as strong as a season ago. However, that defensive front is absolutely absurd, and it shouldn’t have many issues threatening the league lead in sacks again in 2023.
The Eagles also likely upgraded at RB while returning every other offensive starter aside from Isaac Seumalo. But between veteran Sua Opeta, backup center Cam Jurgens, and rookie Tyler Steen, Philadelphia has already done a nice job mitigating that loss. Quez Watkins may no longer start for the Eagles, but he’s still there.
2) Dallas Cowboys
All any of us want is to see the Dallas Cowboys at full strength with Dak Prescott against the Eagles at full strength with Jalen Hurts. Dallas’ additions of Stephon Gilmore and Brandin Cooks arguably addressed the team’s two most significant needs at WR2 (with speed) and CB2 (and maybe he’s CB1 still).
It will be interesting to see what the offense looks like absent Kellen Moore. But Cooks’ speed and overall ability should offer Prescott more space to operate so as not to need to force into tight windows so often.
Defensively, Dallas has about as much talent and depth on the edges as Philadelphia. Micah Parsons, Demarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong, Sam Williams, and Dante Fowler are a formidable group, and Johnathan Hankins has helped their run defense with his presence.
Add in Dan Quinn’s ability to dial up pressures on third down, and the Cowboys boast one of the most dangerous units in the NFL. But that’s a general theme in the NFC East.
3) New York Giants
Like in New York, where Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari, and Kayvon Thibodeaux reside. Although the Giants don’t have the same depth as their two superiors, they boast outstanding starting talent.
The secondary still has much to prove. Wink Martindale doesn’t necessarily make it easy for his defensive backs, but the addition of Bobby Okereke brings a presence over the middle as a zone defender.
The Giants’ offense will be the team’s ticket to the postseason. If Daniel Jones can take another step in Mike Kafka’s offense with an improved receiving corps, this could be a dangerous team.
We already know Jones brings an element on the ground that hurts opposing defenses. But with Jalin Hyatt and Darren Waller on the roster, New York finally has a few big-play threats at their disposal.
4) Washington Commanders
It’s always been Sam Howell’s job to lose. If he performs well, beats out Jacoby Brissett, and plays at a level the Washington Commanders fans haven’t seen in quite some time, kudos to him and the team. They should be a very good football team in that case.
But if they’re simply hoping that he can be the guy, and their party gets crashed in the first two weeks by the Cardinals or Broncos and Howell struggles, that could have been the blows that lead to them missing extra football in January.
The Commanders’ defense finally figured it out a season ago. If they play that same way, and Brissett was to play the way he did in Cleveland, Washington is likely a playoff team. They have weapons and an OC that has spent a ton of time around the greatest offensive mind in the game.