NFL Season Preview: NFC East
NFC East Showdown: Where Eagles Soar, Cowboys Ride, and Giants and Commanders Fight to Stay in the Game
The NFC East, folks, is like that neighborhood where some houses are luxury mansions and others are fixer-uppers. We’ve got the elite, the mediocre, and the downright hopeless. Welcome to the 2024 NFC East, where dreams and despair coexist.
- Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ 2023 season was a train wreck that ended with a Wild Card loss to the Buccaneers. Head coach Nick Sirianni shed some tears, then wiped them away by firing both the offensive and defensive coordinators. He didn’t stop there — he raided the Giants for star RB Saquon Barkley, beefing up an already explosive offense. If Jalen Hurts is really that guy, Philly’s offense will be must-see TV. With a stacked roster on both sides of the ball, the Eagles are poised to battle the Cowboys for NFC East supremacy and could be headed back to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years.
- Biggest Additions: RB Saquon Barkley, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, LB Devin White, QB Kenny Pickett
- Biggest Departures: RB D’Andre Swift, S Kevin Byard, LB Haason Reddick, C Jason Kelce (Ret.)
- Biggest Question: Will Sirianni and Hurts ride off into the sunset together, or will Howie Roseman be forced to play marriage counselor in a messy breakup?
- Playmakers: WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith — These two accounted for 62% of the Eagles’ passing offense last year and each snagged 7 TDs. How new OC Kellen Moore gets them their touches will be fascinating to watch.
- Name You Should Know: C Cam Jurgens — With Jason Kelce off to podcast land, Jurgens steps in to see if he can keep the Tush Push alive and well.
- Sleeper: RB Will Shipley — A versatile weapon from Clemson, the rookie could carve out a role in one of the NFL’s best rushing offenses.
Projection: 13–4
2. Dallas Cowboys
“Show me the money!” is the theme in Dallas this year. WR CeeDee Lamb, QB Dak Prescott, and LB Micah Parsons all have contract situations looming like storm clouds over Jerry World. Mike McCarthy is gunning for his fourth straight season with at least 12 wins, but with Jerry Jones now in his 82nd year, it’s Super Bowl or bust. The pressure’s on, and it’s as thick as Texas barbecue sauce.
- Biggest Additions: RB Ezekiel Elliott, OT Tyler Guyton (R), LB Eric Kendricks
- Biggest Departures: OT Tyron Smith, LB Leighton Vander Esch, C Tyler Biadasz, RB Tony Pollard, WR Michael Gallup
- Biggest Question: How much rope does McCarthy have if Dak and the ‘Boys falter early?
- Playmakers: WR CeeDee Lamb — He’s in the conversation for best receiver in the league, leading in catches/targets and finishing 2nd in yards and TDs in 2023.
- Name You Should Know: EDGE Micah Parsons — This one’s obvious. With over 40 sacks in his first three seasons, Parsons is a pass-rushing phenom in a contract year.
- Sleeper: RB Rico Dowdle — Zeke’s back, but Dowdle’s re-signing wasn’t for nothing. Expect him to get his share of carries and potentially become the top back in Dallas.
Projection: 12–5
3. Washington Commanders
A new coach with a championship pedigree (Dan Quinn), a rookie QB who lit up college football (Jayden Daniels), and a roster makeover have the Commanders’ fanbase buzzing. This squad could pull a Texans-like surprise and make some noise. If their mix of seasoned vets and promising youngsters clicks, a playoff spot isn’t just a pipe dream — it’s within reach.
- Biggest Additions: QB Jayden Daniels (R), RB Austin Ekeler, C Tyler Biadasz, TE Zach Ertz, EDGE Clelin Ferrell, EDGE Dante Fowler, LB Bobby Wagner
- Biggest Departures: RB Antonio Gibson, QB Sam Howell, CB Kendall Fuller, WR Curtis Samuel, LB Cody Barton
- Biggest Question: Will they start strong, or will it take time for all these new pieces to fit together?
- Playmakers: WRs Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson — McLaurin’s already proven his worth, but Dotson’s untapped potential could make this duo lethal.
- Name You Should Know: DT Jonathan Allen — The eight-year vet is a game-wrecker who hasn’t gotten his due, mostly because he’s been stuck in Washington.
- Sleeper: TE Ben Sinnott — Rookie tight ends usually take a while to develop, but with only old man Ertz in front of him, Sinnott could be a sneaky weapon in the passing game.
Projection: 9–8
4. New York Giants
The Giants invited the cameras of Hard Knocks into their camp this offseason, and it was… a spectacle. They let their best player walk to a division rival and saw their star TE leave to pursue a music career. Ouch. But it wasn’t all bad — they traded for pass-rusher Brian Burns, paired him with Kayvon Thibodeaux, and loaded up on offensive linemen. They also used the 6th overall pick on LSU WR Malik Nabors. But the big question remains: Is Daniel Jones really the guy to lead this team?
- Biggest Additions: EDGE Brian Burns, WR Malik Nabors (R), OG Jon Runyan, RB Devin Singletary, QB Drew Lock
- Biggest Departures: RB Saquon Barkley, TE Darren Waller (Ret.), S Xavier McKinney, WR Sterling Shepard, RB Matt Breida
- Biggest Question: After sticking with Daniel Jones, will Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen still have their jobs come December?
- Playmakers: DEs Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux — When the Giants last won Super Bowls, they had fearsome pass-rushing duos. New York fans are hoping this is the start of something similar.
- Name You Should Know: DT Dexter Lawrence — A beast in the middle who should benefit from having Burns and Thibodeaux on the edges, Lawrence could be in for a big year.
- Sleeper: WR Jalin Hyatt — After a big college career and an underwhelming rookie season, Hyatt has the talent to make strides in his second year.
Projection: 6–11
This division’s a wild ride, and one thing’s for sure — it’s going to be a fun season in the NFC East. Buckle up.
Thanks for reading my story.
