The NFC East: The NFC East scraped themselves up from the worst division in football in 2020 to somewhat formattable. The Cowboys are loaded with talent, yet they can’t seem to put it all together. The Eagles within striking distance and just need a few more pieces. The Washington Commanders finally have a name, yet still no quarterback and the Giants are a complete mess. The good news for this division is that they massively lucked out in getting to play the two worst divisions in football in the NFC North and the AFC South. As a matter of fact, the Giants and Eagles are graded to have the easiest schedules in all of football when it comes to their opponents Vegas forecasted win totals. In saying that, let’s see how these teams fare.
1. Dallas Cowboys –
Vegas win total: 10
2021 Wins: 12
Pythagorean Wins: 11.64
Schedule: Medium Easy – At Large vs Tampa Bay, vs Cincinnati, @ LA Rams
Schedule Last Year: Hard
Key losses: OLB Randy Gregory, WR Cedrick Wilson, RT La’el Collins, G Connor Williams, K Greg Zuerlein, SS Keanu Neal, WR Amari Cooper
Key additions: DE Donte Fowler Jr, WR James Washington
Whom they drafted: T Tyler Smith, Edge Sam Williams, WR Jalen Tolbert, TE Jake Ferguson
Summary: Dallas certainly surprised me last year winning 12 games on a hard schedule. Their Pythagorean win total also backed it up at 11.64 wins. Now the question that you have to ask yourself is, what happens to teams when they overpay for players? They lose talent and that is what is happening this offseason in Dallas. The good news is that the Cowboys were loaded last year and could afford to shed some weight. I really wasn’t all keen on the Cowboys draft, but they proved me wrong last year with Micah Parsons and how he turned out. Let’s face it, Mike McCarthy isn’t a good coach but last year, their talent superseded that deficiency. I honestly have no fear for the regular season here, and I think that the boys should win the NFC East, but it is always the playoffs that this team tends to screw up and I don’t have playoff faith in Dak until he can prove me wrong.
My Number: 12.32
Action: Lean over
Dallas Power Rating: 5.25
2. Philadelphia Eagles –
Vegas win total: 9 juiced to the over
2021 Wins: 9
Pythagorean Wins: 9.92
Schedule: Easy – At Large vs @ Arizona, vs Pittsburgh, vs New Orleans
Schedule Last Year: Medium Easy
Key losses: DT Hassan Ridgeway, CB Steve Nelson, FS Rodney McLeod
Key additions: WR AJ Brown, OLB Haason Reddick, CB James Bradberry, OLB Kyzie White, WR Zach Pascal
Whom they drafted: DL Jordan Davis, C Cam Jurgens, LB Nakobe Dean
Summary: Fly Eagles fly might be the dumbest saying in the NFL, but this team certainly has set themselves up for success this year. The AJ Brown trade worked pretty well for the Eagles as they now have a possession receiver to go with their speed guy in Devonta Smith. Keep in mind though that he was expensive. I also like how the Eagles filled some gaps this year improving their linebacking core with some big moves in free agency with Haason Reddick, and Kyzie White. I also really like how this team drafted. Georgia Bulldog Jordan Davis ran 4.78 forty weighing over 340 lbs. I don’t want to block that guy. Do you? If LB Nakobe Dean is healthy, this could be a fantastic defense. We can’t ignore how easy this schedule is setting up for the Eagles as well getting to play Pittsburgh, and New Orleans at least at home. I would also rather play Arizona than San Francisco. I am pretty optimistic on this team this year and I think that at least 10 wins is very possible.
My Number: 11.46
Action – Over 9 wins
Philadelphia Power rating: 2.75
3. Washington – Vegas Win total is 8
2021 Wins: 7
Pythagorean Wins: 6.22
Schedule: Easy – At large games vs Atlanta, @ San Francisco, vs Cleveland
Schedule Last Year: Hard
Key losses: G Brandon Scherff, DT Tim Settle, S Landon Collins, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, G Ereck Flowers, ILB John Bostic
Key additions: QB Carson Wentz, G Andrew Norwell, G Trai Turner, DE Efe Obada
Key draft picks: WR Jahan Dotson, DT Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson, QB Sam Howell
Summary: Not a ton of action here in the offseason besides the big Wentz trade. Washington changed their name from The Washington Football Team (WTF) to the Washington Commanders. This team pretty much swapped guards with Jacksonville. WTF. The Commanders have some unsigned players that mostly doubtful to come back. WTF. I have to assume that Wentz is starting but I really question this move. I do not think that Wentz is that much of an upgrade over Taylor Heinicke, and I also do not think that he is a clutch quarterback. WTF. Bad move if you ask me. Drafting Sam Howell wasn’t a bad thing at the spot that they grabbed him and I think he has a shot just like the rest. Last year, we knew that Washington was a little overrated coming into 2021 and their missing the playoffs with only 7 wins proved that, but I will at least say that they were pretty injured, and had a hell of a schedule. I can see this team getting to eight wins with this easy schedule but I also see a pretty low floor. Maybe the schedule helps them sneak into the playoffs.
My number: 8.61
Power Rating: -2
Action – Small lean over
4. New York Giants –
Vegas Win total: is 7 juiced to the under -120
2021 Wins: 4
Pythagorean Wins: 4.53
Schedule: Easy: At large games vs Carolina, vs Baltimore @ Jacksonville
Schedule Last Year: Medium
Key losses: Coach Joe Judge, DT Austin Johnson, CB Keion Crossen, CB James Bradberry, DE Lorenzo Carter, S Jabrill Peppers, LT Nate Solder, TE Kyle Rudolph, G Billy Price, RB Devontae Booker
Key additions: Coach Brian Daboll, G Mark Glowinski, QB Tyrod Taylor, G Joe Feliciano, DT Justin Ellis
Key Draft Picks: Edge Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, G Joshua Ezeudu and a bunch of dudes
Summary: For a team going through massive changes, I must say that I liked what the Giants did in their first offseason. New coach Brian Daboll had a fantastic offense in Buffalo. Can he translate to head coach? Remains to be seen, but at least this team didn’t rush to a quarterback this year, and now they can make a decision on Daniel Jones. To be quite honest, I don’t think Daniel Jones is Daboll’s guy, and getting Tyrod Taylor probably hints on that, but I also think that this team would serve themselves best to not win a ton of games and get one of those two big quarterbacks in CJ Stroud or Bryce Young in next years draft. I really like the Giants draft this year, but my only worry is that they win too many games with that easy schedule.
My Number: 6.77 wins
Action – No Play
NY Giants Power Rating: -7
*Blue color means hasn’t signed with a team
