Dallas Cowboys 

2021 Record 12-5

Odds to win division +140

We start with the defending division winner in Dallas. Coming off an embarrassing debacle to end the season against San Francisco in the playoffs, the Cowboys look to be the first repeat division winner in 17 years. Dallas lost more than they gained this offseason. With departures of known names like Amari Cooper, La’el Collins, and Randy Gregory, it is hard to see them being as good as they were last year. On offense, the receiving core is lacking outside of Ceedee Lamb and Dalton Schultz. Zeke is another year older behind an offensive line that just simply isn’t as good as it was in the past. I don’t expect Tony Pollard to take over the RB1 role(even though I believe he should), but he will be on the field with a similar role as he was in last year. Michael Gallup is coming off a torn ACL and won’t be back to start the year. The Cowboys had some rough patches last year offensively even though the numbers at the end of the year claim it was one of the best in football.

Defensively, it’ll be hard to repeat leading the league in turnovers. Losing Randy Gregory is a big loss and I don’t think Trevon Diggs is as good as people have claimed. Getting interceptions is a big deal but he has been a liability in coverage and without the turnovers, I'm not sure people would be talking about him as a top corner in the league. This team also leads the league in penalties and has continued the tradition very well throughout preseason.

The arrow is already pointing down and we haven't even gotten to the leaders of the circus in Mike McCarthy and Jerry Jones. Dallas isn't going to beat anyone important when it counts with McCarthy as head coach, that is just reality. They could maybe end up in the playoffs as a wild card if things go their way but until Jerry Jones is gone from running the team, Dallas will be the mecca of constant dissapointment.

I'm sorry Dallas fans, I don't think it's going to be your year.

Philadelphia Eagles 

2021 Record 9-8

Odds to win division +160

The Eagles are looking to build off of last year's playoff appearance. They made multiple moves to bolster an already talented roster. Philly traded with the Titans to get AJ Brown and gives Hurts another dynamic player to pair with Devonte Smith. They get cornerback James Bradberry for cheap because of how incompetent the Giants organization has been ran and they also added Haason Reddick to help the linebacking core.

The one concern I do have is that Philly didn't beat a single team with a winning record last year. Eagles will go as far as Jalen Hurts will take them. He looks to build on his 2021 performance behind the best offensive line and rushing attack in the NFL. AJ Brown should help Hurts immensely when it comes to him as a passer. As good as Jalen has been on the ground with his legs, he needs some work with his arm. For the Eagles to take the next step and make some real noise, Jalen Hurts will have to get better through the air.

Personally, I'm shocked the Eagles aren't favored to win the division so getting them at plus money sounds like a good bet to me. I expect Jalen Hurts to improve and have a monster year for the Eagles. With the moves Howie Roseman made this offseason, the Eagles should be a playoff team barring some catastrophe. They’re my pick to win the NFC East and should be on people's radar to be a sneaky Super Bowl contender in a very weak NFC conference. 

Washington Commanders

2021 Record 7-10

Odds to win division +500

The Carson Wentz experience comes to Washington. I wish I got as many chances in life as he has to be a starting quarterback in the league. Personal feelings aside(like how Carson Wentz couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat in the middle of the ocean), he does have some fun weapons to work with. Terry McLaurin is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the league and Wentz is somehow the best quarterback he has gotten to play with. Curtis Samuel and Logan Thomas will return healthy this year. They also drafted Jahan Dotson out of Penn State in round one of the draft. In the backfield, it looks like Antonio Gibson is in the doghouse for his fumbling issues. They resigned JD McKissic and drafted Brian Robinson in the third round who looks like he will get to see the field.. As weird as it sounds, I think offensive coordinator Scott Turner should just let Wentz run wild. It was obvious that Carson had trouble last year in a very structured Frank Reich offense. He is not a rhythm and timing quarterback. He makes plays on the run and with his cannon of an arm. Do those two things that he does well and just ride the ups and downs that come with him as the quarterback. 

On defense, they will get back Chase Young sometime after the first four weeks since he was put on the PUP list. The defense underperformed big time last year while having one of the hardest schedules in the NFL. The schedule gets easier this year for them but expectations should be tampered from what they were last year. They are a middle of the pack defense with upside to be a great unit when healthy. 

It’s hard to get behind a team like Washington that has so much baggage outside of the organization. Dan Snyder is one of the worst owners in sports and has been spending the offseason dodging court orders. I don’t have faith that Carson Wentz can lead this team to a big run but they should be better overall than they were last year under Taylor Heinicke. They might score a win or two more this year but I don't expect the Commanders to be making waves throughout the NFL this year. I am curious if the Carson Wentz experience ends up like it has the last two stops hes made though.

New York Giants

2021 Record 4-13

Odds to win division +800

It can’t get any worse than last year right? Leader of men Joe Judge and The Clapper Jason Garrett are gone. New York replaced those two with one of the best offensive minds in the game in Brian Daboll as head coach. He is the man that helped turn Josh Allen into one of the best quarterbacks in football today. The Giants roster overall is in shambles because of how bad general manager Dave Gettleman ran the team but he is gone as well. I don’t expect a quick turnaround but New York should be able to find out this year if Daniel Jones is the guy.

I personally believe that the Daniel Jones and Kadarius Toney connection with Daboll at the helm is an intriguing one. Even with how bad the offense was last year, Toney had a stretch last year that was eye popping. He went for ten targets and 189 yards last year in a game against Dallas that showed elite potential. Toney is a guy that will not only improve in year two but has a chance to be an elite receiver in the NFL if he stays healthy. Danny Dimes will have to improve when it comes to turnovers but he has shown glimpses with his deep ball accuracy and the ability to extend plays with his legs. Brian Daboll will coach to his strengths and give him the best chance to be successful in 2022. Whether the offense will be jumping off the charts will remain to be seen but it shouldn’t be any worse than it was in 2021.

On defense, they brought in Wink Martindale from Baltimore to be their defensive coordinator. He is one of the better ones in the league and should help this defense that struggled with injuries last year. New York drafted Kavon Thibodeaux fifth overall to help improve the defensive line. Blake Martinez should return from his ACL tear in 2021 and has shown plenty of potential. Losing James Bradberry in the secondary as a salary cap casualty hurts. The roster management from the previous regime will hurt the Giants until they can get out from under the mistakes made by Dave Gettleman. The Giants secondary is a concern but they do have some pieces on defense to work with. 

Overall, I do think the team will improve from last year just because of how bad the coaching was. We should also be able to find out if Daniel Jones is the answer at quarterback for New York this year.  If anyone is going to get something out of Danny Dimes, it would be Brian Daboll. I am optimistic on the Jones/Toney pairing and a healthy Saquon Barkely should help on offense. The Giants should improve from their four wins last year but it is asking a lot for this roster to put out a playoff contender. 

Division Winner:

Philadelphia Eagles

Dallas Cowboys

Washington Commanders

New York Giants