We are back with football tonight at the Hall of Fame Game in July!! So, it’s high time to start getting the NFL Division previews out.

As in each division, I will cover the following topics – Coaching, Key Departures, Additions via Free Agency and the Draft, General Overview and initial Record Prediction. As I’ve done my initial game by game prediction to come up with the final record, however I will do a final prediction on each team including the playoffs and Super Bowl after training camp and preseason is over.

NFC East Division Preview

Philadelphia Eagles

Can Barkley stay healthy in 2025?
  • Coaching: HC Nick Sirianni returns with DC Vic Fangio, however OC Kevin Patullo gets elevated (former Pass Coordinator and QB Coach) with the Kellen Moore departure as HC in NO.
  • Departures: CB James Bradberry (released), CB Darius Slay (to PIT), OG Mekhi Becton (to LAC), LB Josh Sweat (to AZ), WR Julio Jones (retired), DE Brandon Graham (retired), DT Ndamukong Suh (retired)
  • Additions:
    • Free Agents
      • Defense – CB Adoree Jackson (from NYG), LB Azeez Ojulari (from NYG), LB Joshua Uche (from KC);
      • Offense – RB AJ Dillon (from GB), OG Kenyon Green (via trade HOU), OG Matt Pryor (from CHI), OT Kendall Lamm (from MIA), WR Terrance Marshall (from LVR);
    • Draft
      • LB Jihaad Campbell (1st – Alabama)
      • S Andrew Mukuba (2nd – Texas)
      • LB Nakobe Dean (3rd – Georgia)
      • DE Ty Robinson (4th – Nebraska)
      • C Drew Kendall (5th – Boston College)
      • OT Myles Hinton (6th – Michigan)
  • Overview – The Champs added a ton of depth in the draft, especially on Defense in the LB corps with studs from the SEC – Campbell and Dean. The D was incredible last year, and I think they can do that again. On O, they return the same crew, however can QB Jalen Hurts progress? He had a good Super Bowl, but it was arguable whether he was a big factor during the season. RB Saquon Barkley was sublime last season, but he tends to get hurt. So, I’m high on the Eagles again, but Hurts will need to play better than in 2024, and Barkley may need to get spelled more by Dillon.
  • Prediction – Repeat Winner of the NFC East (first time anyone has done that in 21 season – 2004 Eagles) at 13-4

Washington Commanders

Can Daniels Avoid the Sophomore Slump?
  • Coaching: HC Dan Quinn runs it back with both OC Kliff Kingsbury and DC Joe Whitt.
  • Departures: DE Jonathan Allen (to MIN), DE Dante Fowler (to DAL), WR Jamison Crowder (unsigned)
  • Additions:
    • Free Agents
      • Defense – DE Von Miller (from BUF), DT Javon Kinlaw (from NYJ), CB Jonathan Jones (from NE), S Will Harris (from NO), DT Eddie Goldman (from ATL), DE Deatrich Wise (from NE)
      • Offense – OT Laremy Tunsil (trade via HOU), WR Deebo Samuel (trade via SF); WR Michael Gallup (from DAL), OG Nate Herbig (from PIT)
    • Draft
      • OT Josh Conerly (1st – Oregon)
      • CB Trey Amos (2nd – Ole Miss)
      • WR Jaylin Lane (4th – VA Tech)
  • Overview – The Commanders under HC Dan Quinn had a miraculous year fueled by the incredible rookie campaign of QB Jayden Daniels. The GM has added some firepower with Deebo Samuel, but will Daniels hit a sophomore slump? I think he will. CJ Stroud certainly did in Year 2. However, I still like the team. They signed a tons of free agents on D, which was their weak link. I still see them in the playoff hunt, but not to contest closely for the division title. In fact, I think the struggle early and bounce back mid-season.
  • Prediction – WAS squeaks into the playoffs somehow with a 9-8 record.

Dallas Cowboys

HC Schottenheimer Takes the Helm
  • Coaching: New HC Brian Schottenheimer takes the helm now. OC Klayton Adams comes over from AZ (O-line coach). DC is now Matt Eberflus (former Bears HC) – should be an upgrade over Mike Zimmer.
  • Departures: OG Zack Martin (retired), DE DeMarcus Lawrence (to SEA), DE Carl Lawson (to unsigned), DT Linval Joseph (unsigned), DE Chauncey Golston (to NYG), RB Rico Dowdle (to CAR), WR Brandin Cooks (to NO), QB Trey Lance (to LAC), QB Cooper Rush (to BAL),
  • Additions:
    • Free Agents
      • Defense: DE Dante Fowler (from WAS), DE Solomon Thomas (from NYJ), CB Kaiir Elam (via trade BUF), LB Jack Sanborn (from CHI)
      • Offense: WR George Pickens (via trade PIT), RB Javonte Williams (from DEN), RB Miles Sanders (from CAR), OG Rob Jones (from MIA), QB Joe Milton (via trade NE)
    • Draft
      • OG Tyler Booker (1st – Alabama)
      • DE Donovan Ezeiruaku (2nd – Boston College) – sitting 3rd on the depth chart….
      • RB Jaydon Blue (5th – Texas)
      • OT Ajani Cornelius (6th – Oregon)
      • DT Jay Toia (7th – UCLA)
  • Overview – The Cowboys fell hard in 2024, especially when Dak Prescott went down early. However, they were not great with him in the lineup either. Jerry Jones fired Mike McCarthy, and he took the easy route by hiring the OC Brian Schottenheimer as the new HC. So, not sure the moves the needle much for me on this team. The Boys did go out and trade for the fiery WR George Pickens which should help both Dak and WR Ceedee Lamb. They also upgraded at RB with a double signing and 5th round pick. So, I think the O should be better this year, but I just don’t think Schottenheimer will get this team over the hump. I have them right on the cusp of the playoffs with WAS, but push comes to shove, I’ll take Quinn and Daniels over Schottenheimer and Dak in big moments.
  • Prediction – Currently, I have DAL just missing the playoffs at 9-8 based on tiebreakers, but they will be competitive this year.

New York Giants

Russell Isn’t the Answer in NY
  • Coaching: HC Brian Daboll somehow gets another year with the exact same coordinators – OC Mike Kafka and DC Shane Bowen. My mind is blown for a 3-14 team.
  • Departures: QB Drew Lock (to SEA), LB Azeez Ojulari (to PHI), CB Adoree Jackson (to PHI)
  • Additions:
    • Free Agents:
      • Defense: DE Roy Robertson-Harris (from SEA), CB Paulson Adebo (from NO), S Jevon Holland (from MIA), LB Chauncey Golston (from DAL), LB Chris Board (from BAL), S K’Von Wallace (from SEA)
      • Offense: QB Russell Wilson (from PIT), QB Jameis Winston (from CLE), OT James Hudson (from CLE)
    • Draft:
      • DE Abdul Carter (1st – Penn State) – a stud for sure
      • QB Jaxson Dart (1st – Ole Miss)
      • DT Darius Alexander (3rd – Toledo)
      • RB Cam Skattebo (4th – ASU) – I do like this guy.
      • OT Marcus Mbow (5th – Purdue)
      • CB Korie Black (7th – OK State)
      • WR Beaux Collins (CFA – ND) – he’s 2nd on the depth chart behind Nabers
  • Overview – So, I was pretty hard on the Giants last year, and they were bad enough to be tied for the worst record. I think this year they will be the worst team in the NFL. HC Brian Daboll worked magic with Daniel Jones in Year 1, but he has not had the same success with anyone else. QB Russell Wilson is washed to me. Will he have a moment or two like he did last year – sure. Maybe Jameis Winston can carry them a game or two, but that Offense is subpar at best. The D has a glimmer of hope to be decent, so I’m sure my harsh stance will be thwarted. I’ll pick the Giants to be last team to tally a win this year. Jaxson Dart will probably start the last few games to finish a rough season.
  • Prediction – 2-15 – yeah that bad – Daboll and GM Joe Schoen will be fired by the end of the season this time.

Unless the Eagles take a big step back with injuries, then it’s hard for me to see anyone else taking this division.

Next up – AFC East.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.