Let’s move over to the NFC today looking at the East. Note, I added Win Totals and Futures for the AFC East teams to my last article.
NFC East Division
Overview: The NFC East had 3 teams in the playoffs in 2022, however I’m not sure the Giants can be there again. I see the Top 2 Teams Super Bowl Contenders though.
Dallas Cowboys (9.5 Wins, +190 NFC East, +650 NFC, +1500 SB)
Additions:
- Trades: CB Stephon Gilmore via IND, WR Brandin Cooks via HOU
- Free Agents: None of note
- Draft Class: DT Mazi Smith (1st), TE Luke Schoonmaker (2nd), LB DeMarvion Overshown (3rd), DE Viliami Fehoko (4th), OT Asim Richards (5th)
Departures: RB Zeke Elliott (FA – may be added back), OG Connor McGovern (BUF), TE Dalton Schultz (HOU)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Mike McCarthy is now calling the plays with OC Brian Schottenheimer as OC (Kellen Moore was let go). I think there will be more ball control and short passing game looks this year. DC Dan Quinn did not take a new HC job, which was surprising, but his unit was top notch last year.
Outlook: The Cowboys have all the talent they need to win the NFC. It has been the poor play calling in the playoffs that has done them in. Will McCarthy help or hurt that? I do not trust him to win the big game, but I do think they will win this division this year. The D alone can win them 8 games. Bottom line is Dak has to play better in big moments. He has weapons, now use them. It will be a fight to the end with PHI to win this division. +190 to win the Division seems like a nice price to me and Over 9.5 Wins.
Prediction: 13-4, 1st in NFC East, 2nd in NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (11.5 Wins, -121 NFC East, +300 NFC, +700 SB)
Additions:
- Trade: RB D’Andre Swift via DET
- Free Agents: RB Rashaad Penny, S Terrell Edmunds, WR Olamide Zaccheaus
- Draft Class: DT Jalen Carter (1st), LB Nolan Smith (1st), OG Tyler Steen (2nd), S Sydney Brown (3rd), CB Kelee Ringo (4th)
Departures: RB Miles Sanders (CAR), DT Javon Hargrave (SF), DT Ndamukong Suh (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Nick Sirianni stays, but both OC and DC change with the Eagles’ success – OC is now Brian Johnson (in place of Shane Steichen) elevated from QB Coach, and DC is Sean Desai (in place of Jonathan Gannon) who comes over from SEA. SEA’s system may be similar to PHI’s, but with this lineup there is a lot of flexibility.
Outlook: PHI certainly didn’t get weaker with a great draft, but there is always some kind of hangover post-Super Bowl loss. I still think they will contend for the division and NFC title, but Jalen Hurts was out of this world in 2022. Can he do it again? Not sure yet.
Prediction: 12-5, 2nd in NFC East, 5th in NFC
New York Giants (7.5 Wins, +700 NFC East, +2200 NFC, +5000 SB)
Additions:
- Trade: TE Darren Waller via Raiders
- Free Agents: WR Parris Campbell, DT A’Shawn Robinson, LB Bobby Okereke, S Bobby McCain
- Draft Class: CB Deonte Banks (1st), C John Michael Schmitz (2nd), WR Jalin Hyatt (3rd), RB Eric Gray (5th)
Departures: WR Kenny Golladay (finally – FA), S Landon Collins (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Brian Daboll returns as the defending Coach of the Year. He did a lot with not much talent. OC Mike Kafka and DC Don Martindale return, so the same schemes. Not much sizzle here to speak of.
Outlook: The Giants were great in close games last year thanks to Daboll, but that luck ran out in the playoffs, which I think 2023 will be a correction. They will be competitive, but I’m not seeing that much more talent over last year especially with the DAL and PHI rosters. They did get Saquon Barkley under contract for one year instead of sitting under the Franchise Tag, and QB Daniel Jones may be able to follow up a stellar 2022. Still, I think eventually, the league catches up to lack of talent.
Prediction: 7-10, 3rd in NFC East, Miss the playoffs
Washington Commanders (6.5 Wins, +1300 NFC East, +3500 NFC, +8000 SB)
Additions:
- Free Agents: C Nick Gates, OT Andrew Wylie, QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Cody Barton
- Draft Class: CB Emmanuel Forbes (1st), S Jartavius Martin (2nd), C Ricky Stromberg (3rd), OG Braeden Daniels (4th),
Departures: QB Carson Wentz (FA), OG Andrew Norwell (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Ron Rivera tries to shuffle the deck one last time with a new OC in Eric Bieniemy from KC Chiefs’ fame, so the O should be more dynamic. DC Jack Del Rio is still there, but can he finally get this now mature group of D-Lineman to play to their potential?
Outlook: The spectre of Daniel Snyder is now lifted in WAS, so it is a new era. However, with all the ownership changes and another potential name change, I think this is another transition year. The D has some star potential, but I think this is Rivera’s last year in WAS. They will struggle with the likes of QB Sam Howell at the helm or veteran Jacoby Brissett. The division is too good for this Offense to thrive. Unfortunately, I think Under 6.5 Wins makes sense for this team.
Prediction: 3-14, 4th in NFC East, miss the playoffs – probably too harsh, but they will not be good enough.
We are a quarter of the way there. Look for the 2 North divisions next week.
Wegs