Tucker’s NFC East Projections
Credit: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
By Tucker Harlin
The NFC East has been one of the worst (2020) and best (2022) divisions in the NFL recently.
2023 was a mixed bag. The two best teams in the division were among the best in the NFL, and the bottom of it featured some of the worst the league had to offer.
I don’t see a way in which the division improves as a whole, but there may be a team that makes a jump this year.
1. DALLAS COWBOYS
The Cowboys have been annual playoff participants under Mike McCarthy, but they haven’t done anything past that point.
The Dak Prescott to CeeDee Lamb connection has worked well in its four years, and the Cowboys’ defense has been one of the best in the league year after year.
I think Dallas should be in good position to win the division given the strength of the other three teams. But I can’t envision anything more than a divisional round appearance.
2. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
The end to 2023 was a little bit discouraging for Philadelphia.
After a promising start, the Eagles fell into disarray with injuries and were ultimately drubbed in the postseason at Tampa Bay.
Retirements from Fletcher Cox and Jason Kelce also created voids the Eagles need to fill.
Lack of talent on the roster isn’t an issue for the Eagles, they just need to finish the season stronger than last.
Nick Sirianni is entering a pivotal season as the head man in Philadelphia.
3. WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The Commanders are the one team I can see improving in the NFC East.
Jayden Daniels is a clear step up from Sam Howell at quarterback, and the Commanders have already got what they need to help Daniels in the offensive skill positions.
I don’t think this is a year when the Commanders can find their way into the playoffs, but I think they take an important step forward as a franchise.
4. NEW YORK GIANTS
The Giants are probably in the worst shape of any NFL team headed into 2023.
They were fooled into thinking Daniel Jones was deserving of an extension after it appeared he had found the right coach in Brian Daboll.
Jones was lost for the season early in 2023, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Giants got blasted a handful of times in prime time games with him at quarterback.
The Giants elected to draft a receiver in the first round instead of one of the several quarterbacks that were available. That’s not a knock on Malik Nabers, but how will he succeed with an inefficient quarterback throwing to him?
I don’t see any way in which the Giants win more than five or six games in 2024.
