Ralph Vacchiano
NFC East Reporter
The NFC East could not have had a repeat champion since 2004, nevertheless it hasn’t precisely been broad open since then. For a lot of the final decade, the division has belonged to 2 groups: The Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles.
These two have gained 9 of the final 11 division titles. That features seven of the final eight and every of the final three. And in every of the previous two seasons, they took their head-to-head battle for the title proper all the way down to the tip.
However there was no less than the looks of massive change atop the division this offseason, because the Eagles loaded up in free company whereas the Cowboys watched elements of their roster disintegrate. Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones insisted he was “all in” on profitable a championship. However the Eagles regarded like those who actually had been.
How will that impression the steadiness of energy within the division? Most likely not sufficient to open the door for the Washington Commanders or New York Giants. Nevertheless it certain appears to be like just like the Eagles are again after a 1-6 collapse ruined their 2023 season. And the Cowboys, after three straight 12-5 seasons, could possibly be arrange for a fall.
This is a really early take a look at how the battle of NFC East titans is shaping up:
Key additions
Philly went on a wild, offseason spending spree — no less than wild for them. They began with what could possibly be the highest-impact free agent in the marketplace: Working again Saquon Barkley. Their hope is he can keep wholesome and thrive now that he is lastly enjoying behind offensive line, which provides a jolt to their offense and take strain off quarterback Jalen Hurts.
However they did not cease there. They added younger go rusher Bryce Huff (albeit at the price of buying and selling Haason Reddick) and security C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who in some methods was the guts of their protection throughout their Tremendous Bowl run in 2022. They added veteran linebacker Devin White and signed two veteran receivers — Parris Campbell and Devante Parker — to compete for the third receiver function.
Then they by some means landed Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean — two of the highest cornerbacks within the draft.
The Cowboys’ record is way much less in depth. Regardless of being in determined want of a working again after shedding Tony Pollard, they sat out that market till they reunited with Ezekiel Elliott, who’ll be 29 in July. Their greatest free-agent addition was in all probability linebacker Eric Kendricks. And the draft most notably produced left deal with Tyler Guyton (first spherical) and middle Cooper Beebe (third), which means the Cowboys will in all probability be counting on two rookies to begin on their offensive line.
Will Dak Prescott nonetheless be the Cowboys’ QB in 2025? Skip solutions.
Key losses
The Eagles’ losses do not determine to harm very a lot. They let security Kevin Byard go after his brief, unproductive stint with them final season. They did not re-sign middling linebacker Nicholas Morrow. And working again D’Andre Swift is gone. However they had been all changed by higher gamers.
Their greatest loss was undoubtedly Reddick, who had 50 ½ sacks over the past 4 seasons. They traded him to the Jets as a result of they had been unwilling to fulfill the soon-to-be-30-year-old’s contract calls for. However earlier than they did, they signed Huff, 26, who had 10 sacks final 12 months. He is not fairly in Reddick’s class, however he’ll definitely assist.
Two different key losses for the Eagles: Each middle Jason Kelce and defensive deal with Fletcher Cox retired, and the lack of two members of their famed “Core 4” will damage in management. The lack of Kelce within the middle of the road could possibly be incalculable on the sector, too. They’ll solely hope that Cam Jurgens, a 2022 second-round decide, is able to slide over from guard to fill that void.
The Cowboys, in the meantime, have an intensive and painful record of free-agent losses. Virtually as quickly because the market started they misplaced Pollard (to Tennessee), middle Tyler Biadasz (Washington) and defensive finish Dorance Armstrong (Washington). Left deal with Tyron Smith finally signed with the Jets. They usually misplaced some depth when nook Noah Igbinoghene signed with Washington and defensive deal with Johnathan Hankins signed with Seattle. Linebacker Dante Fowler signed with Washington, too.
It is laborious to argue that any of them have been adequately changed. They claimed wage cap constraints triggered their inaction, however that is their very own fault since they’ve but to barter anticipated extensions with quarterback Dak Prescott and receiver CeeDee Lamb — offers that may have undoubtedly given them somewhat bit extra room cap room to plug some holes.
Will the Cowboys or Eagles win the NFC East?
Strengths
The Eagles’ energy appears to be like to be what it has been for 2 seasons — the variety of their offense. Solely with Barkley within the backfield, it ought to be even higher. They’ll throw it to 2 of the most effective receivers in soccer and Barkley is a succesful receiver out of the backfield too. And Barkley’s working capability may even enable the Eagles to make use of Hurts on the run rather less, which might assist stop the accidents which have nagged him the final two seasons.
Additionally they now ought to have a robust and deep secondary, which was not the case final season. Even when they do not get a bounce-back season from James Bradberry, they will have nook Darius Slay again at full well being and two promising rookies in DeJean and Mitchell. Gardner-Johnson’s return may even deliver the vitality and angle that was lacking on the again finish final 12 months.
The Cowboys’ energy continues to be in all probability their protection, which misplaced some depth however returns in any other case intact, and also will get cornerback Trevon Diggs again. They’ve one of many NFL’s most harmful defensive gamers in Micah Parsons, among the best secondaries within the NFL and a robust go rush too. So long as they keep wholesome, that will not change.
And on offense, they nonetheless have among the best 1-2 punches within the NFL in Prescott and Lamb. They’re adequate to hold the Cowboys’ offense on their very own — which they may in all probability must do.
Weaknesses
Offensive line is not precisely a weak point for the Eagles, however there certain are questions on how good that unit will probably be now that Kelce is gone. Changing a future Corridor of Famer will not be simple for Jurgens. There additionally continues to be the query of depth on offense, which actually damage them late final season. In the event that they lose Brown, Smith, Barkley or tight finish Dallas Goedert, there’s an unlimited drop off.
The go rush additionally could possibly be a weak point. Reddick was an enormous presence for them, which provides Huff massive sneakers to fill. They’ll want much more of a constant push-out of defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter and defensive finish Josh Sweat.
The Cowboys’ weak point is evident. Their working recreation struggled in key spots final season and their answer to that was let Pollard go and substitute him with an ageing working again whom they lower one 12 months earlier. They appear to suppose Elliott can nonetheless be a starting-caliber again. Not many others across the NFL agree.
Add in two rookies on the road and the working recreation certain appears to be like prefer it’ll be an issue, which might make the Cowboys offense much more one-dimensional than it has been. They’ll in all probability nonetheless win a whole lot of video games that method, however profitable a championship seemingly wants extra steadiness.
‘Ezekiel Elliott is extra washed than dishes on Thanksgiving night time.’ — Skip on Cowboys newest acquisition
Conclusion
It appears fairly apparent: The Eagles acquired higher, the Cowboys acquired worse.
Given the state of the remainder of the division, although — the Commanders are within the early phases of rebuilding and the Giants have enormous quarterback points — they’re in all probability nonetheless headed in the direction of a head-to-head battle for the division title.
The mix of Prescott, Lamb and the Dallas protection ought to maintain the Cowboys in rivalry. However proper now they do not appear like they’re in the identical class as a wholesome Eagles group. Philly can do too many issues in too many various methods for a group constructed just like the Cowboys to maintain up over an extended season.
They’re each able to profitable double-digit video games. They need to each make the playoffs. However proper now, primarily based on the offseason strikes, the NFC East is fairly clearly the Eagles’ division to lose.
Ralph Vacchiano is the NFC East reporter for FOX Sports activities, protecting the Washington Commanders, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants. He spent the earlier six years protecting the Giants and Jets for SNY TV in New York, and earlier than that, 16 years protecting the Giants and the NFL for the New York Every day Information. Observe him Twitter at @RalphVacchiano.
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