Who Are the Next NFC East Champs?
As we all know, the NFC East was easily the worst division in the NFL this 2020 season and probably the worst divisional year in NFL History. You could also make the case as the the NFC East in 2015 was almost just as bad.
The Eagles went 7-9, Giants 6-10, Cowboys 4-12, and the Washington “at the time” Redskins clinched the division at 9-7.
All these teams have a fair share of terrible seasons and can’t seem to stay consistent after not registering a repeated divisional champion since the 2001-2004 seasons where the Eagles recorded a 4-peat.
Now, the question is, which team will have the biggest upside in the 2021 NFL Season:
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles went 4-11-1 on the season and were disgustingly still in place to win the division if they defeated Dallas in Week 16, but.. they didn’t. There are way too many inconsistencies when watching this team play football. The Eagles just can’t seem to find their rhythm or niche when it comes to being competent team in the NFL.
With currently holding the #6 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, it is up in air as to who the birds will even select. General Manager, Howie Roseman has shown countless times how he just flat out can’t draft and scout talent if it were right in his face, maybe the addition of John Dorsey, formally known as the Chiefs and Browns general manager can help revamp things.
The Eagles are in a clear rebuild mode after they seem to be letting go several personnel coaches and starting new slate with Doug Pederson still as head coach. There’s no certain answer on if Jalen Hurts or Carson Wentz will be the starting Quarterback next year or if Wentz will even be in midnight green next year.
Too many holes in this team to say they can make the biggest leap, but you never know what Philly has up their sleeves.
On Thursday, The Eagles have named former Colts Offensive Coordinator Nick Sirianni to be the teams new Head Coach.
Sirianni comes from the Frank Reich coaching tree, similar to how Doug Pederson came from Andy Reid’s coaching tree and looks to rejuvenate the Eagles stale offense from this past season
Dallas Cowboys
All bias aside, The Cowboys have been just bad this year especially defensively. They ranked 28th in the league defensively even after drafting more depth for their secondary over the past few years.
Injuries also played a factor in their terrible play, but they aren’t the only ones in the league who suffered the same fate such as the 49ers and Eagles to name a couple.
Dallas lost majority of their offensive line and star Quarterback in Dak Prescott all while seeing a decline in their $90M dollar RB in Ezekiel Elliot.
Their offense has the potential to be the best in the league if everything cliques the way it wants. Prescott threw for 450+ yards in three consecutive games before getting injured.
Jerry Jones is the leader of this ship whether Mike McCarthy is the head coach or not. We all know who calls the shots for this team and I believe their team isn’t going to take any steps forward unless he is out of there, but that isn’t happening.
The Cowboys just need to stay consistent on offense and improve their defense, i think they can make some noise next year especially after firing their Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan.
New York Giants
The Giants are kind of that in between team in this division. They don’t quite have an identity within their team but they have the play makers to be in the conversation at some point. Being 6-10 on the season and looking leaving their playoff destiny in the hands of their division rival this year isn’t a good look.
Starting 0-5 on the season isn’t ideal for any team and makes the journey to win a division title that much more difficult. I will say that a strong point within their team is also their defense. Their defense has been ranked #9 in the league this season despite their slow start to the season.
Daniel Jones has shown some flashes that he is capable of being a special QB in this league. He just needs to be surrounded by more weapons and make better decisions with the football.
Saquon Barkley should be returning by the beginning of the season next year which can provide a spark in the offenses run game as well as passing due to Barkley’s pass blocking abilities.
The Giants have pieces but not quite there to finish the puzzle.
Washington Football Team
The current NFC East champs shown on plenty of occasions that they can play ball. This team has the ability to be the first repeat team in the past 20 years, I like their chances the most.
They have shown that they can keep up with arguably the best offense in the league with Tampa Bay in the Wild Card round of the playoffs. A win is what they were looking for but they shouldn’t be too down on themselves because of the possible growth they have as a team
Their Front seven is the anchor their team and rookie Chase Young has already stepped up as leader for the team in his first year.
Washington has to find steady QB play and they have young guys on offense like Terry Mclaurin and Antonio Gibson who they can build around.
Maybe they have a chance to trade up in the draft for a QB or they might like what they see in Taylor Heinicke with Alex Smith being on his last leg, literally.