The NFL is full of narratives and the NFC East is no exception. No other division has such a stark contrast between the haves and have-nots: The Eagles and Cowboys enter the year with Super Bowl aspirations, while the Giants and Washington remain in rebuild mode.
But while this season will repeat last year’s two-team race, neither Philadelphia nor Dallas will again be hovering around the .500 mark in late December. The Eagles limped through the second half of 2019 as Carson Wentz carried an injury-riddled receiving corps that was, if not the league’s worst, at least its slowest. But this year Philly will have a veritable 4×100 relay of new receivers (even after actual Olympic track star Marquise Goodwin opted out). Philly drafted speedsters Jalen Reagor (first round) and John Hightower (fifth) and expect to get back a healthy DeSean Jackson. Meanwhile, the defence has a new No. 1 cornerback in free agent Darius Slay, who will look even better in Philadelphia than he did behind the Lions’ non-existent pass rush.
In Dallas, Mike McCarthy takes over as coach after another season in which the record (8-8) was less than the sum of the team’s parts. McCarthy will lean on offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, a holdover from Garrett’s staff, to get another big year out of quarterback Dak Prescott. The receiving corps should be even stronger, with first-round pick CeeDee Lamb joining 1,000-yard receivers Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Cooper, who had big numbers but watched from the sideline as the final drive in a must-win game at Philadelphia came up short, must stay healthy and establish himself as a true number one receiver. But throw in running back Ezekiel Elliott and a line strong enough to withstand the retirement of centre Travis Frederick, and the offense should be one of the NFL’s best. The defence, though, will have to weather a major transition. McCarthy brought in veteran defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, whose schemes are notably complex, to run a unit that lost top cornerback Byron Jones and pass rusher Robert Quinn in free agency.
Both have new coaches, Bill Belichick disciple Joe Judge in New York and long-time Panthers coach Ron Rivera in Washington, and second-year quarterbacks. Daniel Jones is ahead of fellow 2019 first-round pick Dwayne Haskins in Washington, and the new Giants offensive coordinator, ex-Cowboys coach Jason Garrett, will now oversee his development. New York’s continued investment in the offensive line, including the fourth pick, tackle Andrew Thomas from Georgia, and the presence of running back Saquon Barkley means the Giants should score points. But Jones’s tendency to hang in the pocket for too long, too often resulting in strip-sacks, plus a defence that lacks identity, caps their upside.
In Washington, a green Haskins and a shortage of passing-game weapons beyond Terry McLaurin means that the offense will rely on a rushing attack led by Adrian Peterson. Defensive end Chase Young, the draft’s number overall pick, adds to an already potent pass rush, but the team has questions at linebacker and in the secondary. When Washington do win, it will be an ugly win.
Philadelphia Eagles
Predicted Record: 11-5
All the additions at receiver could really rejuvenate the downfield passing game and see Wentz put in an MVP-caliber season. If Slay shuts down opponents’ number one receivers while another free-agent addition, defensive tackler Javon Hargrave, adds juice to the front four. If they get going, the Eagles look could look as good as they did in 2017.
There is a possibility that the injury bug strikes again. Wentz could go down as he did in 2017 and 2018. If injuries occur second-round selection Jalen Hurts might be thrust into the prime time before he is ready. The pass rush could take its toll on the older players especially defensive end Brandon Graham, 32, and defensive tackler Fletcher Cox, 29. A worst case scenario would see the Eagles just miss out on the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys
Predicted Record: 10-6
The addition of Lamb and the emergence of a healthy (and consistent) Cooper could help Prescott deliver MVP-level numbers. If Demarcus Lawrence delivers a Defensive Player of the Year-type campaign the Cowboys could take the division.
However, the offense once could struggle and fail in the big moments. If the defence struggles as well, this year could be a huge disappointment for Dallas. A bad year will see McCarthy one of the favourites to be replaced.
New York Giants
Predicted Record: 4-12
Jones, who had 18 fumbles in 13 games last season, looks like he could break the NFL record of 23 this year. The turnover margin is too much to overcome for a team whose offense lacks big-play weapons at receiver and whose defence struggles to get stops. General manager Dave Gettleman’s job could be brought into question after this year.
A smoke-and-mirrors approach could allow them to overachieve, making the Giants a tough out. They will undoubtedly fail to get into the playoffs, but if they get close to an 8-8 campaign, this could inspire confidence for 2021.
Washington Football Team
Predicted Record: 3-13
Many think Washington’s offense will rank in the bottom five of every major category. The defence looks like it could turn up in a few games but with too many holes of its own, it is not strong enough to carry the team. Washington also look like they might decide to scrap its latest quarterback plan and start fresh again. If they miss out on the number one overall pick, most likely Trevor Lawrence, the front office will spend draft season debating North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Washington look like they’re in for a torrid time.
Rivera could bring the franchise a needed sense of stability, and if Young turns into the Defensive Player of the Year then maybe not all is wrong at Washington. They need Peterson to lead a ball-control offense to take the pressure off Haskins.
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