NFC East Odds and 2023 Preview

Last year the NFC East was the only division in football to have three playoff teams. This came just two year after the division winner had a 7-9 record. The NFC East is expected to be great again in the 2023 season. The Eagles will be looking to build on their 14-3 season that led to a Super Bowl appearance. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is among the MVP favorites after finishing as the runner-up for the award just a year ago.

The New York Giants made the playoffs last season for the first time since the 2016 season. They finished with a 9-7-1 record, which put them at 3rd in the division. They won their first playoff game in Minnesota before getting trounced in Philadelphia one week later.

The Cowboys finished 2nd in the division with a 12-5 record. Quarterback Dak Prescott threw fifteen interceptions in twelve regular season games. He also threw two in the team’s divisional round loss to the 49ers. It’s a problem he said he’s going to fix and one that will need to be fixed if the Cowboys plan on winning the Super Bowl.

Despite finishing with a .500 record, the Commanders were the lone team in the NFC East to not make the playoffs. The Commanders aren’t expected to be good this year. Sam Howell is expected to be the team’s starting quarterback this season.

The Eagles and the Cowboys have the best odds to win the NFC East this year. Philadelphia and Dallas have the two best quarterbacks in the division. Jalen Hurts threw for 22 touchdowns and ran for 13 more, while only throwing 6 INTs last season. Eagles wide receiver AJ Brown had a massive first season in Philly and the former Heisman Trophy winner Devonta Smith seems primed for another big year.

The Cowboys won the NFC East in 2021 and had an impressive 2022. They should be able to compete in the division again. Micah Parsons will be anchoring a defense that finished with a league leading 33 turnovers last year. Parsons forced three fumbles and picked up 13.5 sacks last season. DraftKings has him as the favorite to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. 

NY sportsbooks have the Commanders as the 4th best team in the NFC East. Washington finished third in the division in 2021 before a last place finish last season. Among the four teams they have the most instability at the quarterback position. Sam Howell is projected to be the guy. Howell was the team’s 5th round selection in 2022 and only started one game last season. With the Cowboys and Eagles set to be in Super Bowl contention, it’s unlikely the Commanders will compete in the NFC East this year.

The Giants are considered outsiders in this year’s NFC East. Despite winning a playoff game and making it to the Divisional Round last year, the Giants are no sure thing to make it back to the postseason. The G-Men started 6-1 in Brian Daboll’s first year as head coach and were the hottest thing in football. They cooled off considerably as the year went on but still earned a wild card spot.

Daniel Jones did show versatility in his game last year but he’s still not seen as an elite quarterback around the league. He’ll be going into year five. Big strides will be expected of him, especially after his contract extension this off-season.

The Giants don’t have as much wide receiver talent as the other team’s in their division. Darius Slayton and Richie James were Jones’ two primary targets last year. Meanwhile running back Saquon Barkley has voiced displeasure over his contract situation. There were concerns over a potential holdout but Barkley is now expected to suit up and be ready to go for the Giants in their Week 1 matchup against the Cowboys. 

Unlike the top two teams in the division, the Giants struggled to turn teams over last season. Being able to create a short field for your offense is crucial, especially for one that lacks firepower.