NFL 2025: NFC East Breakdown

The NFL season is approaching fast, and every team has now gotten through week one of the preseason.

With the dust settling on initial play by the rookies and some starters, here’s where we’re at with each team in the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys

Vibe Check

The Cowboys come off of a 7-10 season with quarterback Dak Prescott missing nine games.

The team parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy for Brian Schottenheimer, pairing him with additional new hires Matt Eberflus and Klayton Adams as offensive and defensive coordinators, respectively.

To fix their struggling run defense, the team picked up running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders.

They also got defensive talent in Dante Fowler Jr., Solomon Thomas and Payton Turner. The team lost guard Zack Martin (retired) and defensive star DeMarcus Lawrence. One big storyline right now is obviously the team fumbling the opportunity to retain Micah Parsons.

Running back Jaydon Blue is questionable with a heel bone bruise, so a big preseason storyline will be who gets that starting running back job. There is focus on rebuilding the defense, particularly in stopping the run, with Fowler, Thomas and Turner.

These two key areas will be crucial for the Cowboys’ early, relatively easy schedule.

Verdict: Beige Flag

I mean, yeah the Cowboys will start hot. They’ll struggle, but still make the playoffs. And then? They’ll lose again. This team has just been boring the last few years.

Washington Commanders

Vibe Check

The Commanders really didn’t have a bad season. For the first time in forever, the team reached the 2024 NFC Championship with a rookie quarterback, an incredible opportunity as the team seems to go in a new, great era.

Unfortunately one issue stands in their way of continuing greatness: a Terry McLaurin contract standoff. Sure, the team brought in left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel and retained Jayden Daniels and Brian Robinson, but they need to figure out how to keep McLaurin.

Right now, focus is on McLaurin’s holdout and how it’s impacting Daniels’ preseason prep. Tunsil and Samuel are instead working on being integrated in the run-heavy scheme.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are adjustments to make up for loosing tackle Jonathan Allen and safety Jeremy Chinn.

Verdict: Green Flag

Despite some hiccups, I think the Commanders will ride the high from last season’s success as they tweak mistakes for this year.

New York Giants

Vibe Check

The Giants struggled in 2024 and their response was to pick up three different quarterbacks: Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson and Jaxson Dart via the draft.

Their offseason approach has been to focus on the pass rush and offensive line to compete against a division with good passing and defensive skill.

The Giants most notable move this offseason was to bring in Russell Wilson to try to add some veteran play on the field. They picked up Dart and OLB Abdul Carter to aid the pass rush with Thibodeaux and Burns.

Line consistency will be a concern, so the Giants will need to figure this out before they face two division rivals early on and two great teams out west.

Verdict: Red Flag

You can bring in as many quarterbacks as you want, but the Giants really need to figure out the parts of the team that aren’t solely the leading guy. Once they have that guy is when they should build around the team, not just plug and play.

Philadelphia Eagles

Vibe Check

The Eagles had it figured out last season as they won their second Super Bowl ever. In addition to the best accolade they could’ve received last season, they were also a top 10 offense with an elite defense.

That defense was since dismembered as Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, C. J. Gardner-Johnson and Bryce Huff were all lost. One of the last key anchors of the team, Brandon Graham, retired in the offseason.

Luckily, the team was able to retain and rework contracts of key guys like Dallas Goedert. Their only real issue right now is making sure guard Landon Dickerson is okay, as he was carted off the field on August 10 following a knee injury.

Wide receiver A. J. Brown is also facing a hamstring injury, but it shouldn’t be too concerning as the Eagles fell into another great receiver in Darius Cooper.

Verdict: Green Flag

I have high confidence in the Eagles this upcoming season. If they can pull off a successful season, they may very well be set up for a few great seasons at least.