NFL Predictions by Division: NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia is by far the team I am highest on in 2024. Everything they did in the offseason set this team up to be one of the best in the league. This was a 10-1 team last year before Hurts was injured and the offense fell off. Now with more weapons, a better offensive coordinator and a stronger secondary, this team has as good a chance as any to get back to the Super Bowl.

Brian Johnson was one of the worst offensive coordinators we’ve seen in a while. Especially given the fact he had a top 5 offense to work with. He completely destroyed any progress this team had made during the 2022 season. The Eagles rightfully fired him and signed Kellen Moore. Moore has a lot of pieces to play with including newly added Saquon Barkley. The Eagles have the 9th easiest schedule (per SharpFootballAnalysis) and the 4th easiest run defense schedule. Meaning Barkley will be having a perpetual field day. When Barkley is stifled, the Eagles only have AJ Brown and Devonta Smith to fall back on. This should be the best offense in 2024 and if you’re looking for a long-shot future bet, I love Barkley at +2000 to win Offensive Player of the Year.

The Eagles spent their first two draft picks on cornerbacks and brought back CJ Gardner Johnson on a three-year deal to add even more secondary help. Passing defense was easily the worst part of this team last season and I think they’ve done enough to address it. With the addition of Bryce Huff, the Eagles should continue to bring a lot of pressure which makes the secondaries jobs even easier.

Key Additions
ED Bryce Huff
RB Saquon Barkley
CB Quinyon Mitchell

Key Losses
C Jason Kelce
LB Nicholas Morrow

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys have handled every contract situation incorrectly for as long as I can remember. No one thought they should pay big money to Zeke. He was let go, then re-signed this offseason and the Cowboys are still paying on that first contract. They will likely lose Dak before the start of 2025 because I don’t see Jerry opening his wallet to pay 58+ million a year to him now. CeeDee is upset and rightfully so that he hasn’t been paid yet. It doesn’t matter if you draft and develop talent if said talent hates you by the time their first contract is up.

Dallas has a middle of the road SOS. They should start fairly hot given they play NO, NYG, and PIT in the first five weeks. After that is where it could dicey. Weeks 6-11 is their hardest stretch. They do have a bye after Detroit, but once they come back it’s at SF and ATL, then home against PHI and HOU. A 3-2 start could be all but wiped away with a 1-4 stint here.

If the Cowboys are going to keep their 12-win season streak going, they’re going to need much more from the run game. Rico Dowdle looked good in spurts last season. Zeke won’t be able to rush the ball 300 times (nor should he get that option even if he physically could). Dowdle will likely get 150+ attempts and Dallas needs him to be ultra efficient.

Key Additions
LB Eric Kendricks

Key Losses
RB Tony Pollard

New York Giants

This is the last year of Daniel Jones tenure whether he plays well or not. I’ve been the biggest supporter of Jones his entire career mainly because the Giants have screwed him so many times. New York still has a bottom three offensive line (has been that way his entire career). They have at least given Jones a hopeful WR1 in Malik Nabors. Sadly, it won’t be enough to provide this team with any real offensive power. Especially after they let Saquon Barkley walk to a division rival. It will be another sad year for Giants fans.

New York added a lot of defensive help in the offseason. Most notably via a trade with Carolina for Brian Burns. They also went safety and cornerback with their second and third round choices. The defense will be better, but not good enough to withstand how bad this offense will be again. They’ll likely be picking in the top 5-6 range and with no franchise saving quarterback (not a big fan of Beck, Ewers, Sanders, etc) options available, they should probably start thinking about what kind of package they can get for that pick to start rebuilding. Especially since if they do take a quarterback and put him on this roster without serious upgrades, they will be turning him into a bust the same way they did Daniel Jones.

Key Additions
DE Brian Burns

Key Losses
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley

Washington Commanders

Washington finally has a quarterback, and his name is Jayden Daniels. Everyone loves him. The biggest knock is that he’s pretty small. He’s tall enough, people just seem to believe he’s too skinny? Understandable, however I don’t know if weight plays much importance in quarterback injuries. Cam was massive and he was hurt a lot. Big Ben was never not in a walking boot. Joe Burrow can’t stay off the IL and he’s “normal” sized. Maybe Daniels has a slightly higher injury risk, but if he can sling it like he did in college I think it’s a risk worth taking.

I have Washington at 4-13. Obviously not a great record. They have high turnover on the offensive line and are starting a rookie, third round tackle. Austin Ekeler comes over from the Chargers which would have been a good get 3 years ago. Now it looks like he’s a little past his prime. “Scary Terry” continues to be a guy you are afraid of, but only for about 4 games a year. Wagner and Luvu are both great linebackers. Like Ekeler, I worry Wagner’s best years might be behind him. He had a great 2023, but he’s 34 and it’s only a matter of time before father time comes calling. I don’t like their secondary or pass rush. Washington will be a very fun team to watch, and I can’t wait to see what they do 2025 and on. 2024 is a different story and I think it will mostly be a building block for future success.

Key Additions
QB Jayden Daniels
RB Austin Ekeler
LB Frankie Luvu

Key Losses
CB Kendall Fuller