Philadelphia Eagles:
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the 2024 season with high expectations as they look to build on their 11-6 record from the previous year. Head coach Nick Sirianni has made key additions to the team, including quarterback Kenny Pickett, running back Saquon Barkley, and linebackers Devin White, Bryce Huff, and Zack Baun. These additions, along with the return of key players like wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, make the Eagles a strong contender in the NFC East.
One of the most exciting developments for the Eagles is the arrival of Saquon Barkley. Barkley, who was snubbed by the Giants in contract negotiations, is highly motivated to prove his worth. He is expected to be a key player in the Sirianni/Jalen Hurts era and will add a new dimension to the Eagles’ offense.
Speaking of Hurts, he remains an MVP candidate after an impressive career thus far. In addition to his passing yards, he has rushed for over 2,500 yards, showcasing his versatility as a quarterback. With top wide receivers like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at his disposal, Hurts has the weapons to continue his success.
On the defensive side, the Eagles have made significant moves to improve their pass defense, which ranked 31st in yards allowed in the previous season. The drafting of cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in the first round and the return of safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, a key player on their NFC title team, will bolster the secondary. These additions, along with the presence of linebacker Devin White, make the Eagles a formidable force on defense.
Despite a poor finish to the 2023 season, where they lost five of their last six games and were eliminated in the wild-card round by the Buccaneers, the Eagles are still considered the class of the NFC East. Coach Sirianni, who faced criticism for the team’s poor finish, made changes to his coaching staff, bringing in Kellen Moore to run the offense and Vic Fangio to lead the defense. These changes, along with the Eagles’ offseason improvements, point to a successful 2024 season.
The prediction for the Eagles is an 11-6 record. While the poor finish to the previous season raises some questions, the Eagles’ overall talent and improvements suggest that they will remain a strong contender in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys:
Under the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy, the Dallas Cowboys are looking to build on their 12-5 record from the previous year. With key additions like running back Ezekiel Elliott, linebacker Eric Kendricks, and offensive tackle Tyler Guyton, the Cowboys have bolstered their roster.
The Cowboys’ success is largely attributed to their dynamic quarterback-wide receiver combination of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Prescott led the NFL with 36 touchdown passes last season and had a career-best quarterback rating. Lamb, who recently signed a massive contract extension, led the league in catches and was second in receiving yards. With these two players leading the offense, the Cowboys are poised to have a prolific passing attack.
Not only is the Cowboys’ offense strong, but their defense also performed well last season. They finished fifth in fewest points allowed, showcasing their ability to stop opponents. However, the departure of defensive coordinator Dan Quinn raises questions about how the defense will perform without him. Mike Zimmer has been hired to replace Quinn, and the pressure is on McCarthy to make a deep postseason run as he enters the final year of his contract.
The Cowboys have a storied history, with five Super Bowl titles to their name. However, they have not reached an NFC title game since their last Super Bowl win in 1995. Despite this, the Cowboys have consistently made the playoffs with three consecutive 12-win seasons. The prediction for the Cowboys is an 11-6 record. While they have lost some key players from the previous year, they still have a talented roster and face relatively weaker competition in their division.
New York Giants:
The New York Giants had a disappointing 6-11 record in the previous season under head coach Brian Daboll. Their success in the upcoming season largely depends on the performance of their injury-prone quarterback, Daniel Jones. Daboll, who has taken over play-calling duties, plans to push the ball down the field and is counting on a revamped offensive line to protect Jones.
One of the major concerns for the Giants is the departure of star running back Saquon Barkley. However, they have added quarterback Drew Lock and running back Devin Singletary to fill the void. Singletary will need to step up and prove himself, particularly in the passing game, as Barkley was often targeted as a receiver. The offensive line, which allowed a franchise-record 85 sacks last season, also needs to show improvement.
Defensively, the Giants face challenges with the departure of key players like safety Xavier McKinney. However, Daboll will look to revamp the defense and make the necessary adjustments to improve their performance.
The prediction for the Giants is a 9-8 record. While there are concerns surrounding Jones and the offensive line, if Jones can stay healthy and thrive under Daboll’s guidance, the Giants have the potential to be a winning team.
Washington Commanders:
The Washington Commanders had a disappointing 4-13 record in the previous season under coach Dan Quinn. However, the presence of Quinn, with his defensive background, is expected to bring immediate improvements to the team’s defense. The Commanders allowed the most points in the league last season, but with Quinn’s expertise and the addition of six-time All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner, the defense is poised for a turnaround.
On the offensive side, quarterback Jayden Daniels has the potential to be a dynamic player. However, he lacks a strong supporting cast in terms of skill-position players. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin and tight end Zach Ertz are the only players on the roster who have had success in terms of receiving yards. The offensive line is also a concern for the Commanders.
The prediction for the Commanders is a 5-12 record. While Daniels has the potential to elevate the team’s offense, the lack of talent around him and the weaknesses in the offensive line may hinder their success. However, the coaching of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury may help improve their scoring ability.
