Happy Week 1 and Happy Labor Day everyone. With only 3 division left to break down, we’ve now reached the NFC East. The NFC is perhaps the most coveted of all of the divisions due to the fact that the Cowboys are in it. Regardless if they are good or bad, the Cowboys are always going to be talked about. Also, the division usually winds up being one of the toughest to win year-to-year. The competition is still there in that regard and a lot of people are predicting different division winners this season. Keep reading to find out who I think will win and how I think each team in the NFC East will fare this season.

1: Dallas Cowboys (11-6)

Some people are going back and forth with either the Cowboys or Eagles as division winners, but I think the Cowboys will get it done this season. I think their defense sets them apart from the rest of the division and their offense is the best in the division as well. The Cowboys will be without Amari Cooper this season, but their core of Prescott, Elliott, Lamb and Schultz remain the same. I look for Dak to have a similar season as he did last year, and Lamb will have a bigger year due to the volume increase that he’s expected to see. Elliott’s season will be a mystery. He didn’t have a typically great season last year and Tony Pollard was arguably the better back last year. I think Elliott was hurt last season and played through injuries, but I think things will be more steady for them this season in the run game. There are two concerns with the Boys this year though. WRs and O-Line. Losing Cooper will not be an easy thing to just gloss over. Michael Gallup will be expected to step up and they will lean on rookie Jalen Tolbert as well. I don’t know if they’re capable of filling Cooper’s shoes. Dalton Schultz can take some pressure away from the WRs, but still, they’re definitely weaker than last season. O-Line isn't a huge concern to me, but not having Tyron Smith in the trenches will hurt. That really is the main reason why I’m concerned. They should have a good year and I expect them to at least make the playoffs if they don’t win the division.

Difference Maker: LT, Tyler Smith

The Cowboys 1st round pick this year will have to step up immediately because as I mentioned earlier, Tyron Smith is going to be missing for quite some time. The rookie out of Tulsa will have look to earn his spot in the future and keep Prescott and Elliott healthy this season. It’s a tall task, but I think Smith is up for the task.

2: Washington Commanders (8-9)

Most people have the Eagles finishing 1st or 2nd and the Cowboys are in the same boat, but I’m going a little bold and I think the Commanders will be the division’s runner-up. The Commanders will have a solid defense, but the question marks will be surrounding the offense. Carson Wentz is their guy for this season at least and it has a lot of fans puzzled. On paper, Wentz has been decent, but when you watch him play, he doesn’t wow you. He doesn’t make a splash and I think that is what a lot of fans wanted for Washington this season. However, I think the Wentz-led Commanders will be just fine. Wentz will have a better receiving core, in my opinion, than he did in Indy. Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas will be his targets and Antonio Gibson will lead the backfield for the better part of the season. Unfortunately, their projected lead back will not start the season, but it is believed that Brian Robinson will be back at some point this season. Their O-Line is pretty decent, and their defense should be pretty good. Chase Young will miss at least 4 games this season, but once he returns, it will take Washington’s D to another level. There wasn’t a lot of turnover on the roster this offseason and in their case, that is a positive. If you can have a large group of the same players, the chemistry is likely going to be better. I don’t expect Washington to be contenders, but I believe they will make things tough for others in the NFC East.

Difference Maker: DE, Chase Young

The Commanders will be fine without Young, but the fact of the matter is, he is a game-changer. Once Young returns to the lineup, he will add a lot to the defense. There was concern about last year, prior to his knee injury, but I think he will bounce back better than ever. He’s only 23 years old and he has plenty of time to be the franchise edge rusher.

3: Philadelphia Eagles (8-9)

The Eagles are thought of as the top NFC East team by many, but I think they’re overrated. They did add some significant talent, but I just don’t believe in Jalen Hurts. I think Gardner Minshew is a better fit for the Eagles. There is also uncertainty with the RB spot. Miles Sanders has had some inconsistency issues and I just don’t believe their offense is all that good. A lot of that revolves around my belief that Hurts isn't that good. They did add AJ Brown to the offense and he will make a difference, but he’s had his share of injury issues and he proved this offseason that he has a dramatic side. DeVonta Smith will look to take a step forward as well. Something that is puzzling though is the fact that they only have 4 receivers on the roster. I thought they have learned from their mistakes of having a shortage of receivers, but clearly, they haven’t. Their defense will have a solid year and it will definitely be an added bonus in a tight division like the NFC East, but I just don’t believe in the offense enough to predict them as the division winners. Overall, I think Washington has a better team and Dallas definitely does.

Difference Maker: OLB, Haason Reddick

Panthers fans know how much Haason Reddick adds to a defense and the Eagles will find that out throughout the season. Reddick has compiled 23.5 sacks over the last 2 seasons and will look to keep that momentum moving in Philly. I expect the Eagles to be stout on defense and Reddick will be a big part of it.

4: New York Giants (5-12)

Same story, different season. The Giants likely will not sniff at playoff contention and likely will not keep the same core after this season. I feel like Daniel Jones and a few players on this roster will be gone if things don’t improve this season. With only 14 wins over the last 3 seasons and not many personnel changes, don’t expect a big season from the G-Men. Even still, I think a lot of us are interested to see what Saquon Barkley can do in a fully healthy year. He will look to regain the glory of his 2018 season, but has been struck with a lot of injuries since then. The defense saw some improvements this offseason, especially in the draft. They drafted Kayvon Thibodeaux 5th overall and he should add significant strength to the team. They really didn’t do a lot this offseason, so I don’t expect them to improve too much this year.

Difference Maker: HB, Saquon Barkley

I mentioned him earlier and I think a lot of the success of the Giants will rely on Barkley. The offense runs through him and they have built the team around him, but have yet to have a fully healthy season from him since his rookie season in 2018. Hopefully Barkley can stay on the field this season.

Yacs

2022 NFC East Preview