The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about the 32 teams looking to book a trip to Super Bowl LVII.
Kickoff for the regular season is set for Thursday, Sept. 8 and today we look at the NFC East.
DALLAS COWBOYS
2021 record: 12-5, first in NFC East, lost to 49ers in AFC wild-card round
Notable roster additions: WR James Washington, LB Anthony Barr, DE Dante Fowler Jr., OG Tyler Smith (rookie)
Notable roster subtractions: OLB Randy Gregory, WR Amari Cooper, WR Cedrick Wilson, OT La'el Collins, C Connor Williams, K Greg Zurlein.
The good news: The Cowboys were able to keep most of the core players that led them to another division title. Young defensive stars Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs helped the defence take a big step foward while adding Dante Fowler Jr. brings some needed veteran presence to their pass rush. On offence, the team is counting on CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup to lead the way offensively through the air while tight end Dalton Shultz is looking to strike big on a new contract after putting up a career-best season where he had 808 yards and eight touchdowns. Even though the NFC remains a tough conference, the Cowboys should be able to make the playoffs based on the continuity they've been able to maintain.
The bad news: Dallas had an underwhelming offseason and didn't do much to improve the areas that needed to address. The Cowboys had little depth on the offensive line and that will be magnified with left tackle Tyron Smith out for at least a few months with a torn hamstring. While rookie Tyler Smith was expected to be the successor at left tackle, that plan has been accelerated sooner than the team would have liked. The team's offence took a big hit with the departures of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson plus Ezekiel Elliott's game has been on the decline the past few seasons. The Philadelphia Eagles also made improvements that will have them in the conversation for top spot in the division which means the margin for error is slim.
Super Bowl Odds: (+2200)
Division Title Odds: (+140)
Wins Total: 10.5 wins (Over +145/Under -170)
NEW YORK GIANTS
2021 record: 4-13, Last in NFC East, did not qualify
Notable roster additions: QB Tyrod Taylor, DE Kayvon Thibodeaux (rookie), OT Evan Neal (rookie), head coach Brian Daboll TE Jordan Akins, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, OL Jon Feliciano, OL Mark Glowinski, DT Justin Ellis
Notable roster subtractions: TE Evan Engram, TE Kyle Rudolph, OT Nate Solder, OL Will Hernandez, CB James Bradberry, S Jabrill Peppers
The good news: The Giants made good on their two picks in the top 10 in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal which should set them up well in the future. New York is also hoping that the addition of new head coach Brian Daboll can help Daniel Jones take steps forward much like he did with Josh Allen. Running back Saquon Barkley will look to prove many doubters wrong after a rough stretch of his career following surgery for a torn ACL in 2020 and a less than stellar 2021 where he had 593 rushing yards and two touchdowns while adding 41 catches for 263 yards and two more scores.
The bad news: It is going to take new GM Joe Schoen and Daboll more than one season to turn this franchise around. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Jones' future with the team and this could be lead to more changes if the former sixth overall pick from 2019 isn't able to show strides. Unforuntaely, the Giants receivers have been a disappointment with No. 1 Kenny Golladay and top offensive rookie Kadarius Toney only producing one touchdown combined. Injuries played a role in their lack of production but if that group can't turn things around, it will put more pressure on Barkley to get the offence going.
Super Bowl Odds: (+8000)
Division Title Odds: (+800)
Wins Total: 7.5 wins (Over +125/Under -145)
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
2021 record: 9-8, Second place, Lost to Buccaneers in NFC Wild-Card Game.
Notable roster additions: WR A.J. Brown, LB Haason Reddick, LB Nakobe Dean (rookie), LB Kyzir White, CB James Bradberry, DT Jordan Davis (rookie), CB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson
Notable roster subtractions: RB Jordan Howard, WR Jalen Reagor, OG Brandon Brooks, LB Genard Avery, CB Steven Nelson, S Rodney McLeod
The good news: The Eagles pulled off a stunning draft-day trade getting star receiver A.J. Brown from the Tennessee Titans who teams up DeVonta Smith to provide the offence with a one-two punch capable of reaching 1,000 yards receiving which hasn't happened since 2014. Not only did the trade prop up the Eagles into a serious contender for the division crown with Dallas but drafting Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean provides them with some quality depth on defence with Haason Reddick coming in as an underrated signing for their pass rush. It also helps that the Cowboys weren't able to make any significant improvements to the roster which might provide the opening the Eagles need.
The bad news: Jalen Hurts is at his best when he uses his legs to get the offence moving but not so much throwing the ball. The addition of Brown should help with that along with the return of starting guard Jordan Mailata. If Hurts continues to struggle to get the offence moving through the air, the Eagles have the draft capital to consider drafting a quarterback in the first round. The defence will also need to improve in their pass rush ability and coverage in the secondary if they want to be considered contenders this season.
Super Bowl Odds: (+2200)
Division Title Odds: (+150)
Wins Total: 9.5 wins (Over -130/Under +110)
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
2021 record: 7-10, Third in NFC East, did not qualify
Notable roster additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Jahan Dotson (rookie), OT Cornelius Lucas, OG Andrew Norwell, OG Trai Turner, RB Brian Robinson Jr. (rookie), C Tyler Larsen, DB Bobby McCain, K Joey Slye
Notable roster subtractions: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, OL Ereck Flowers, OG Brandon Scherff, DT Matthew Ioannidis, LB Jon Bostic, S Landon Collins
The good news: The Commanders are expecting a big boost at the quarterback position with Carson Wentz returning to the NFC East. His goal will be to get the ball in the hands of No. 1 receiver Terry McLaurin after he received a massive three-year deal worth $71 million. They are also banking on first-round pick Jahan Dotson to work his way up the depth chart and provide Wentz with another dependable option. The eventual return of tight Logan Thomas should help elevate the offence too after a breakout 2020 season.
The bad news: Unfortunately for Ron Rivera's defence, Chase Young isn't ready to return from the torn ACL he suffered in 2021. This is a unit that took a big step back last season and lacks talent at the linebacker position with Jamin Davis struggling after the team used a first-round pick on him in 2019. The departure of Landon Collins was also a tough loss to the secondary. Washington is banking on Wentz to remain healthy which has been a problem for him since his time in Philadelphia. Protecting the football has also always been a problem for the 2016 second overall pick.
Super Bowl Odds: (+6600)
Division Title Odds: (+500)
Wins Total: 8.5 wins (Over +145/Under -170)
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.