Training camp in the National Football League is full of surprises. From injuries to contract disputes to position battles it’s one of the most entertaining NFL events on the calendar. But even the excitement and freshness of training camp can’t compare to the fervor that a new season provides. How does your team match up against the competition in 2023?
Today, we’ll preview one of the more competitive divisions in all of football. From the reigning runner-up Philadelphia Eagles and the rising New York Giants to the fresh look Washington Commanders and America’s team in the Dallas Cowboys, we’ll take a deep dive into the 2023 NFC East.
Washington Commanders
Major additions: G Nick Gates, CB Emmanuel Forbes (draft)
Major losses: QB Taylor Heinicke, RB JD McKissic, QB Carson Wentz
Where they were:
It was a dark season for the 2022 Commanders as mediocre QB play and injuries doomed an otherwise talented Commanders squad. Despite not being remotely competitive in a stacked NFC East where three teams won a playoff game, the Commanders were just good enough to finish with an 8-8-1 record, giving them a middle class draft pick for their efforts.
Where they are:
The previously dreary skies have finally cleared for Washington this season. There’s a new man in charge of Commander’s football, as former owner Dan Snyder sold the franchise, ending a tenure full of awful decisions and actions, both in football and otherwise. No free agent signing would be greeted with as much enthusiasm as Josh Harris’s acquisition of the Commanders was greeted in Washington.
But while Commanders fans celebrate in the streets, it doesn’t change a rather tenuous football outlook for 2023. The Commanders are set to start Sam Howell, a former 5th round pick in his second season, at quarterback. While the roster around Howell certainly features some nice pieces, it remains injury ridden and rapidly aging. While Harris’s regime should give Washington fans great hope for the future, the future won’t come around for the Commanders in a loaded NFC East this season. Draftkings has set the Commanders win total over/under at 6.5 wins, and that’s a fair expectation for this Washington squad.
Grade: Properly rated
New York Giants
Major additions: TE Darren Waller (trade), LB Bobby Okereke, CB Deonte Banks (draft)
Major losses: S Julian Love, G Nick Gates
Where they were:
It was a year of minor miracles for the 2022 Giants as first year head coach Brian Daboll worked wonders for New York, guiding the team to their first playoff appearance since 2016 and their first playoff win since 2011. RB Saquon Barkley and QB Daniel “Danny Dimes” Jones along with a young, solid defense led the Giants to a 9-7-1 record.
Where they are:
After not a small amount of offseason drama, the Giants appear to have reloaded for 2023. Barkley and Jones have reupped with the franchise (Barkley for one year, Jones for 4) and New York is looking to run it back. With offseason addition TE Darren Waller adding some spice to an otherwise lackluster receiving corps and first round corner Deonte Banks injecting some youthful vigor into the defensive backfield, the Giants look as if they will be better than their 2022 squad.
However, there are some major holes in the New York roster, particularly on offense. Losing G Nick Gates significantly weakens the interior offensive line, and a WR group led by Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Parris Campbell is hardly awe inspiring. While the Giants do have a better roster than they did last season, there’s a chance that doesn’t reflect in their overall record in an extremely difficult NFC East. Draftkings has set New York’s win total over/under at 7.5 wins, and that feels realistic for a solid but hardly spectacular Giants squad
Grade: Properly rated
Philadelphia Eagles
Major additions: RB D’Andre Swift (trade), RB Rashaad Penny, EDGE Nolan Smith (draft), DE Jalen Carter (draft)
Major losses: RB Miles Sanders, DT Javon Hargrave, T Andre Dillard, G Isaac Seumalo, LB TJ Edwards, S Marcus Epps, CB C.J. Gardner Johnson
Where they were:
The Eagles were 4 points away from winning the Super Bowl in 2022. As GM Howie Roseman built what was arguably the best roster in the NFL, the Eagles soared through the regular season and playoffs coming oh so close to knocking off Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the penultimate match. It was a season of wild success for Philadelphia, as QB Jalen Hurts came into his own with one of the greatest seasons by a running QB in NFL history.
Where they are:
With great rosters come great financial sacrifices to be made. Over the offseason the Eagles lost 7 major contributors to their 2022 run to free agency as a result of simply being unable to pay everyone. The Eagles will look to plug the holes with rookies like EDGE Nolan Smith and DE Jalen Carter, and cheap trade acquisitions like RB D”Andre Swift.
All in all, while there remain some questions about the holes left by outgoing free agents, the Eagles still possess a fantastic roster, and will contend for the NFC’s Super Bowl berth once again. Draftkings has set Philadelphia’s win total over/under at 11.5, and it would be entirely reasonable for this Eagles team to reach that number.
Grade: Properly rated
Dallas Cowboys
Major additions: DT Mazi Smith (draft), WR Brandin Cooks (trade), CB Stephon Gilmore (trade)
Major losses: RB Ezekiel Elliot, TE Dalton Shultz, G Connor Mcgovern
Where they were:
The Cowboys had a fantastic regular season in 2022, finishing with a 12-5 record. But by the unfortunate chance of being in the same division as the 14-3 Eagles, the Cowboys could not secure the division title, and were instead sent to the playoffs via the wildcard route. A fantastic Dallas defense and explosive offense sent Tom Brady and the Buccaneers riding off into the sunset in the first round of the playoffs before inevitably falling to San Francisco in the divisional round. With the emergence of hybrid EDGE/LB Micah Parson as one of the premier defensive players in the league, the star studded defense for the Lone Star State’s beloved Cowboys gave Dallas a chance in each and every game.
Where they are:
Despite possessing one of the most talented rosters in the NFC and the NFL overall, there are plenty of questions surrounding the 2023 Cowboys. There’s been change on the sidelines as longtime offensive coordinator Kellen Moore departed for the Chargers vacant position of the same title. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy will take over play calling duties from the sidelines, looking to make some changes to the game plan to get Dallas over the proverbial hump. QB Dak Prescott will be looking to improve off a season where he had a career high in interceptions, leading the league with 15 picks despite only playing 12 games due to injury.
The Cowboys have improved with the additions of veteran CB Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks, looking to plug the few holes that were present last season. Overall, the Cowboys 2023 hopes rest upon the right arm of Dak Prescott and the playcalling of Mike McCarthy. Whether the two can make the proper steps to finally take Dallas to the next level remains to be seen. Draftkings has set the Dallas win total over/under at 10.5, which seems to be right on the mark for this solid Cowboys squad.
Grade: Properly rated
Gonna be a Season Long Title Fight
The NFC East should be one of the more entertaining divisions in all of football next season, with the Eagles and the Cowboys throwing down in a season long heavyweight matchup for the ages, with the Giants looking in from the outside and the Commanders looking down the road. This division will undoubtedly give us some of the most exciting moments in the 2023 NFL