No, You Dallas Cowboys, No! (2025 NFC East Preview)

The National Football Conference's Eastern Division has been quite the spectacle ever since the division was formed as part of the 1970 merger. During my childhood, the NFC East was the league's "Group of Death," back when the St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals were part of the division. It's still amazing even now, with the division standing as the only one out of the eight divisions where every team has won at least one Super Bowl. Well, I should say at least two.

2025 should be quite fruitful for this division. So much curiosity surrounding the NFC East this upcoming season, and here's a look at what each team is facing.

New York Giants (3-14)

It's hard to believe that the New York Giants actually made the playoffs in the last five years; reaching in 2022 and actually finishing as one of the league's Elite Eight. 9.5 wins in 2022, but since then, nine wins total in the last two seasons combined. Remember when the Giants used to be fun to watch? It's excruciating now. Yes, the Eli Manning days are long over and nothing lasts forever, but if a team is going to play the largest market in North America, they had to have some sort of spark. Even worse, the NYC area has two teams who are taxing to watch. At least the Giants have Russell Wilson, but which Russ will the Giants get? This is a Giants team coming off having to watch Xavier McKinney shine with the Packers, and Saquon Barkley rise to the top in Philly. Yikes.

Dallas Cowboys (7-10)

PAY. THE. MAN. I could end it there, but you know I won't. I can't. Let me tell you a story. Earlier this year, a strange sound was heard from Arlington, Texas. That was the sound of Jerry Jones jumping up and down and celebrating. Not because Dallas finally won #6, no not that. It was because he was no longer the dumbest man in Dallas. That nod went to Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, who decided to just hand Luka Doncic to the Lakers for a bunch of magic beans.

Unfortunately for Jerry, that feeling only lasted a few months, as from what I've heard, Jerry's not really acting like he wants to do all he can to make sure that Micah Parsons, the nucleus of that Cowboys defense and the NFC's top defensive player, stays in Dallas. Jerry knew the goal was to keep Parsons, but he is sitting on his ass and not even trying to keep Parsons with the regular season three weeks away. Part of me wonders if this will be an 11th hour deal like last year with Dak Prescott (who received a $60M/year extension literally before kickoff), but I have a sinking feeling that Parsons will be out of Dallas and possibly with a (division) rival. If that happens, Jerry Jones will be run out of town.

Washington Commanders (12-5)

First off, I can't believe I have to repeat myself yet again, but I will. It's Commanders. It will always be Commanders. That's the name. It's been the name since 2022. The old, racist name is not coming back; no matter how many times you bitch, moan, or stamp your feet like a toddler. Shut up and get over it. Now on to better things, like Jayden Daniels. He has been a dynamo already! Daniels made one hell of a difference for the Commanders in 2024, leading them to not only an eight game improvement, but also one win short of reaching the Super Bowl. The Commanders were definitely the most improved team from last year. No one thought that this team would show out in the way they did, but there it was. This is proof that good karma exists. The racist name and logo are long gone, the toxic arrogant owner is gone, and now that the focus is on football, good things are happening. I expect more good things from the Commanders in 2025.

Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

The Philadelphia Eagles made a lot of fans happy when they blasted the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX six months prior, and now they have the enviable task of wondering what they can do for an encore. As of this point, the Eagles are co-favorites (with the Ravens) to win Super Bowl LX; they definitely have the best chance out of all of the NFC's teams. Jalen Hurts continues to prove himself as one of the top QBs in the NFL (and he'll be on a number of my fantasy teams again this year), and they have Saquon Barkley to go with Dallas Goedert, AJ Brown, and Devonta Smith. The Eagles are beasts. They will definitely win the NFC East again, even with the Commanders close behind them. What matters for them is January, and possibly another February. We know this much: the Tush Push is here to stay, thank goodness!

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The NFC East will definitely turn heads, especially since that division will kick off the season on September 4. I'm very excited to see what this division will give us in 2025!