We are drawing closer to the start of the NFL season, as all 32 teams report to training camp this month. There will be so much to anticipate this year, including a new 17 game regular season. Rookies like Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson will be fun to watch. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face an insane amount of pressure as they try to repeat as champions. Of course, we will all be watching for this year’s breakout star. As we count down the days to the opening kickoff, let’s preview the divisions. Today, we are looking at the NFC East.
Last Year
Last year, the NFC East was referred to as the “NFC Least” as no team finished the year with a winning record. The Washington Football Team ended up winning the division with a 7-9 record. They were the only team from the division to make the playoffs and they were quickly eliminated by the Bucs. It was embarrassing to watch this division every week last year, and many fans wished that league rules didn’t require at least one team from each division making it into the postseason.
Favorite to Win in 2021
Things will look a lot different in the NFC East this year as Washington has a new quarterback in Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Philadelphia Eagles will start Jalen Hurts under center, New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley will return to the field after an ACL injury and Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott will return after his gruesome broken ankle.
With star players returning, I think the Dallas Cowboys are in a prime position to win in 2021. Prescott adds so much to the Dallas’ offense and there is no denying the firepower they have when he’s on the field. If Dallas can improve their defense, they will be the head honcho in the division. After them, I like Washington and the way that Ron Rivera has that young defense playing. The Giants are gaining traction but may be a year or two away from being legit contenders. The Eagles have a lot of holes to fill and even more question marks.
Offensive Player to Watch: Saquon Barkley
Barkley was emerging as one of the best running backs in the league and then he went down with a torn ACL in the second game of the season in 2020. Prior to that, Barkley rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons and went for 11 touchdowns in his rookie year. Barkley runs with force and power, and he can bulldoze over defenders.
Defensive Player to Watch: Chase Young
Young dominated in his rookie season and has already become a wonder to watch. The way that he beat up offensive lineman last season and got to the quarterback was fun to see. Young is a freak of nature and while many wondered why Washington drafted him over a quarterback, he made it evident to everyone that he was the right choice for Washington to build their defense of the future around.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys (10-7)
I think this will be a tight race between Dallas and Washington, but in the end, I think Dak Prescott is just too good to overcome. His presence means everything for the Cowboys, and if he’s 100 percent, Dallas could be a very fun team to watch.