NFL 2024 NFC East Analysis, Preview & Predictions: Will Dallas finally break the curse and win back-to-back titles?

The New York Giants have struggled for over a decade, and the outlook remains grim following another offseason of questionable decisions.

Rumors swirled about the Giants' intentions to trade up in the draft for a new franchise quarterback, either Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye, but they stayed put at the sixth pick. In free agency, the Giants added offensive linemen Jermaine Eluemunor, Jon Runyan Jr., and Aaron Stinnie, and they selected the electrifying wide receiver Malik Nabers with their first-round pick.

These moves should benefit Daniel Jones. However, signing Jones to a hefty extension may prove to be a misstep, as the offense's potential remains limited with him under center. Over the past three seasons, Jones has failed to surpass 15 touchdown passes in a single year.

While they have several key players returning from injury, their lack of depth remains a huge problem. The defense has vulnerabilities at all three levels, with the back end at cornerback and safety being a huge concern.

The Washington Commanders might not end this season with a winning record, but they're poised to make strides under a new leadership and revamped roster.

Following a disastrous 2023 season, the Commanders opted for a rebuild, starting with the hiring of Dan Quinn as head coach and the selection of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. With Kliff Kingsbury and Brian Johnson tasked with guiding Daniels' development, his dual-threat ability will pose a significant challenge for NFC East defenses right out of the gate.

Daniels is also lucky to have reliable targets in wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, a big plus for any rookie quarterback. Additionally, having Austin Ekeler as a versatile pass-catching running back and Zach Ertz as a dependable tight end will ease his transition.

Several key players have followed Quinn from the Dallas Cowboys, including center Tyler Biadasz, defensive end Dorance Armstrong, and edge-rusher Dante Fowler Jr. Quinn will also reunite with linebacker Bobby Wagner, whom he coached in Seattle.

The bookmakers aren't too optimistic about the Cowboys' chances of breaking their streak and repeating as NFC East champions, giving them the second-best odds in the division.

The offseason has been nothing short of disappointing for Dallas. The Cowboys lost several starters and key rotational players to the Washington Commanders, who brought on former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach. Additionally, they saw running back Tony Pollard and left tackle Tyron Smith depart in free agency.

For a team reeling from an ugly playoff exit in the Wild Card Round, one would expect a more aggressive approach to improving the roster. However, the Cowboys stayed relatively quiet in free agency and made some puzzling choices during the draft.

First-round pick Tyler Guyton is unlikely to secure the starting role at offensive tackle, and the team bypassed significantly better defensive talent still on the board. Their current starting running back, Ezekiel Elliott, is well past his prime.

Aside from the standout performer in Micah Parsons, the Cowboys' offensive line looks shaky and seems poised for a decline after a strong 2023 season. Last year, quarterback Dak Prescott led the league with 36 passing touchdowns and finished third in passing yards with 4,516. However, the team is now dealing with internal strife over CeeDee Lamb's contract negotiations and serious depth concerns at the wide receiver position.

Philadelphia kicked off the year looking like a Super Bowl contender, only to experience a dramatic collapse in the second half of the season. Despite this, the Eagles remain the most talented team in the division and have bolstered their coaching staff with the additions of Kellen Moore and Vic Fangio.

Last season, the secondary struggled significantly after losing play-caller Jonathan Gannon to the Arizona Cardinals, where he took over as head coach. However, general manager Howie Roseman addressed these issues by bringing in two athletic, top-tier rookies, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, along with seasoned veteran defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

The Eagles secured long-term stability by extending wideouts A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, while adding elite running back Saquon Barkley to their offensive arsenal. This trio of dynamic playmakers is complemented by the emergence of Dallas Goedert as a reliable pass-catching tight end. Even if he experiences some regression, star quarterback Jalen Hurts is coming off another Pro Bowl season.

Although the team will miss All-Pro center Jason Kelce following his retirement, they might have a capable replacement in 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens.

When stacked up against Dallas, the Eagles boast a vastly superior offensive line, a stronger running back group, and greater depth at wide receiver, which should reflect in the NFC East standings at the end of the regular season.