NFL 2023: NFC East Breakdown

The 2023 NFL season is around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to take a look at how each team will potentially shape up this season. 

We continue with the NFC East.

BetMGM NFC East Best Bets: Cowboys Second Place (+130), Eagles Conf Winner (+260), Eagles 1st Seed (+325), DROY – Jalen Carter (+600)

New York Giants

Season Recap: Following the Giants 2021 season, head coach Joe Judge was fired and general manager David Gettleman retired, when Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen replaced them. The Giants were 2-0 to start the 2022 season, their best start since 2008. With a win over the Washington Commanders in Week 15, they guaranteed their first non-losing season since 2016. Despite struggling in the second half of the season, the team secured a playoff spot.

The Giants beat the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card round, 31-24, advancing to an NFC East Divisional Round playing the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants monumental season came to an end when the Eagles beat the Giants, 38-7.

Offseason: The Giants boosted their offense and defense this offseason and brought back key players that aided in their success last season. I think the Giants continue to build off of what they were able to do last season with these moves.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Maybe?

Washington Commanders

Season Recap: The 2022 season marked the first under the new Commanders brand, and third uder head coach Ron Rivera. The team posed an 8-8-1 record, placing fourth in a fiery NFC East division. This was the first and last season with quarterback Carson Wentz, who was replaced by Taylor Heinicke and eventually Sam Howell.

The team went on a 5-3-1 run with Heinickie, improving upon their season prior record. They failed to make the playoffs for a second season, despite having a non-losing record.

Offseason: The team replaced offensive coordinator Scott Turner with former Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. During the offseason, an investment group led by Josh Harris reached an agreement with current Commanders owner Daniel Synder to purchase the team.

The team hasn’t made too many other offseason moves as their draft focused mostly on adding defensive talent. The Commanders may struggle this season as they are fixing the moving parts going on on and off the field.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Dallas Cowboys

Season Recap: This was the third season under head coach Mike McCarthy and first season since 2014 without offensive tackle La’el Collins on the roster who later signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys finished the season 12-5, securing a playoff spot in Week 15. After the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Giants in Week 18, the Cowboys failed to repeat as NFC East champions. This prolongs the NFC East’s repeat winner drought to 18 seasons. 

The Cowboys beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round, however their postseason came to an end the following week after being defeated by the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional round.

Offseason: The Cowboys will need to figure out life without running back Ezekiel Elliott who was released in March. The team signed Ronald Jones II from the Chiefs to a one year deal. The team also went defensive heavy again in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Cowboys need to get over the playoff slump, but I don’t see that happening next season with the moves they made.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Make

Philadelphia Eagles

Season Recap: The Philadelphia Eagles 2022 season was just the second in the Nick Sirianni-Jalen Hurts era. The Eagles started the season 8-0 for the first time in franchise history when their streak came to an end with a 32-21 loss to the Commanders. The team went on to win six of their final games of the season and clinched the NFC’s #1 seed for the first time since 2017. 

With the road to the Super Bowl stopping in Philadelphia, the Eagles dominated all the way, winning against the Giants, 38-7 and the 49ers, 31-7, en route to the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs and former longtime head coach Andy Reid. The Eagles lost, 35-38.

Offseason: The Eagles brought back a handful of players, and lost some along the way. They signed Rashaad Penny from the Seahawks, Marcus Mariota from the Falcons, and even brought up from the other professional football leagues with signing Charleston Rambo from the Orlando Guardians. It’s hard to tell how the Eagles will do in 2023 with a much harder schedule and new coordinators, but the team will look to defend the NFC title.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Make

Division Winner Prediction: Eagles

I think the 18-year drought comes to an end as the Eagles repeat as division winners. I don’t see the Commanders or Giants vying for the title yet. The Cowboys made some sketchy moves that make me not believe they’ll make a jump just yet. The Eagles sound like the most secure option to win the East.