NFC East: Sizing up the Cowboys, Eagles, Giants and Commanders
Week 1 of the 2026 season kicks off with the NFC East rivalNew York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commandersplaying against each other Sunday -- Commanders at Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET, Fox), Cowboys at Giants (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC) -- so there's added importance on getting off to a good start.
For the Cowboys and Commanders, it's even more imperative since they meet in Week 2 at AT&T Stadium.
Last season, the Eagles became the first team to repeat as division champion since the 2003 and 2004 seasons, and Philadelphia looks to become the first to three-peat since coach Andy Reid's Eagles owned the division from 2001 to 2004.
There has been plenty of change in the division with John Harbaugh becoming the head coach of the Giants and every team but the Cowboys employing a new offensive coordinator. The Eagles are the only team not welcoming a new defensive coordinator.
Eagles reporter Tim McManus, Cowboys reporter Todd Archer, Giants reporter Jordan Raanan and Commanders reporter John Keim take a look at some key topics in the NFC East, where the Eagles are the odds-on favorites (+122) over the Cowboys (+184), Commanders (+600) and Giants (+600), according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
Expectation for quarterbacks
Eagles
Jalen Hurts has a new offensive coordinator -- again -- and this time is adapting to an overhauled scheme installed by up-and-comer Sean Mannion that will ask him to lean into elements of the game that he hasn't majored in before, such as being under center and throwing over the middle of the field. The Eagles knew they needed a reboot after the highest-salaried offense in the NFL finished 23rd in passing yards (194.3), 19thin Total QBR (52.9) and points per game (22.3) and first in three-and-outs last season.
The passing game was largely boom or bust this summer, as Hurts found receivers in rhythm and made some pretty throws deep down the field but also tossed double-digit interceptions, more than we're accustomed to seeing out of him. Hurts' career has been defined 1) by winning and 2) by rising to the challenge. Count this among his toughest tests, as he takes the reins of a new system to begin the post A.J. Brown era.-- Tim McManus
Cowboys
It feels safe to pencil inDak Prescottfor a 4,500-yard, 30-touchdown season since he has essentially done that in his last four full seasons. He's now 33 and in his 11th season, so he knows what defenses are doing to try to impact him and feels as if he has the answers to the test before given the exam. He showed up to training camp wearing a Super Bowl XXX throwback T-shirt, hoping to manifest Super Bowl feelings for this year's team. Something to consider: He has not missed the playoffs in consecutive years when he has started more than half of the Cowboys' games.-- Todd Archer
Giants
Jaxson Dart should take the next step in Year 2. He did some nice things as a rookie, rushing for nine scores while throwing 15 touchdown passes to five interceptions. But now he needs to take his game to the next level in a new offense coordinated by Matt Nagy. If he does, the Giants' season will be a success. If he doesn't, it will be disappointing. For Dart to get to the next level, he will have to get the ball out quicker and make more anticipatory throws within the offense. Just flashes of brilliance won't be enough. Dart has to show he's a quarterback that you can not only win with, but win a Super Bowl with as the starter.-- Jordan Raanan
Commanders
Very high. Daniels has always been an accurate passer, but he looked even sharper throughout training camp. Offensive coordinator David Blough said he's as "accurate as he's ever been." But his quick command of a new offense -- how he handles the huddle, what he's telling teammates as they break it or walk to the line -- has also been impressive. He remains a dynamic playmaker, capable of turning bad plays into explosive ones. Washington has surrounded him with his strongest cast of passing targets -- having added tight end Chig Okonkwo and receivers Stefon Diggs and rookie Antonio Williams to pair with Terry McLaurin-- in his three seasons with the team.-- John Keim
How each team win the division
Eagles
It will be on the strength of the defense and the ground game. The key to Philly's success over the years has been in the trenches. The offensive line took a step back last season but enters this year generally healthy. That's good news for Saquon Barkley, who showed in 2024 that he can be downright dominant when working in tandem with a sound front.
The defense is in Year 3 under Vic Fangio and has a chance to be a top-three unit in the NFL. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter looks healthy and ready to wreck games, and the secondary boasts arguably the best cornerback trio in the league in Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and Riq Woolen. This group is capable of carrying the team early as the offense finds its way.-- McManus
Cowboys
If Prescott stays healthy, the Cowboys will have a shot. He is 37-10 all-time against the Eagles, Giants and Commanders. The Cowboys' offense figures to be strong; maybe stronger than it was last season. A second year with coach Brian Schottenheimer calling the plays with Prescott, wide receiverCeeDee Lamb, wide receiver George Pickens, running back Javonte Williams and tight end Jake Fergusonmakes the offense formidable, but can the defense do enough? There were promising signs in the preseason, and if defensive coordinator Christian Parker can get all of the new faces playing together quickly, the Cowboys can break the Eagles' two-year hold on the division.-- Archer
Giants
It will take a lot. A ton needs to go right for the Giants, who have won only seven games in the past two years combined. First, they will need to win the opener at home Sunday night against the Cowboys. New York can't be losing to division rivals in its home opener, especially with the loadedLos Angeles Ramson deck on a Monday night in Week 2. The Giants will have to be one of the best running teams in the league and have their defense make massive leaps, especially a secondary that has questions at every position.-- Raanan
Commanders
Daniels tops his rookie season and the defense takes a major step forward. This also assumes the Eagles take a step back -- at some point this will happen, right? -- and Dallas' defense still can't help its elite offense. Washington's main offseason focus was improving arguably the NFL's worst defense in 2025, adding high-profile pass rusher Odafe Oweh and drafting linebacker Sonny Styles among other moves. The Commanders are longer and faster in the front seven. Also, Daniels is coming off his best camp of his three seasons. It's not far-fetched to see him topping his rookie year. But, of course, he must stay healthy.-- Keim
Best newcomer on each roster
Eagles
In terms of accomplishment, edge Jonathan Greenard. The Eagles acquired him for a pair of third-round picks during draft weekend and promptly signed him to a four-year, $100 million extension. He has 38 career sacks and has proved he can be a game-changer. Problem is, he sat out all of training camp because of a pec injury and it's questionable whether he'll be ready for the start of the season. The best newcomer this summer was Woolen, who lacked consistency at times but also came up with a number of splash plays, including a pick-six during joint practices with the New England Patriots while defendingA.J. Brown.-- McManus
Cowboys
There are plenty of candidates, all on defense with safetyCaleb Downs, the No. 11 overall pick, edge rusher Rashan Gary and safetyJalen Thompson, who signed the richest free agent deal the Cowboys have agreed to in more than a decade. But I'm going with the guy who will be coaching them: Parker. He has not called a play in a regular-season game, but he has infused the coaches and organization with a belief that the defense will be wholeheartedly different than it was last season and not only because it couldn't be any worse.-- Archer
Giants
Tight endIsaiah Likely. He was Dart's favorite target this summer by a wide margin. They seemed to have instant chemistry. Considering that Dart likes to throw to tight ends (they had close to a 25% target share last year when he was the quarterback), Likely is in line to have a big season. Sixty-plus catches isn't out of the question. The Giants didn't sign Likely to a starter deal for nothing.-- Raanan
Commanders
Oweh. The only issue: He's currently sidelined by a strained calf. But when he was able to practice, he looked like a good fit as an outside linebacker in new coordinator Daronte Jones' system. He doesn't need to be a 12-sack performer, just a consistent threat. And his speed on the edge will be a huge help. Over the past two seasons combined, Oweh had the 12th-best edge pass rush win rate and was 10th among those with at least two dozen games played. Oweh and fellow free agent signeeK'Lavon Chaissonappear to be good fits for Jones' defense.-- Keim
Don't be surprised if ...
Eagles
Jalyx Hunt muscles his way into the conversation as one of the league's premier edge players. The third-year player out of Houston Christian led the team in both sacks (6.5) and interceptions (3) last season. A former college safety, Hunt appears to have filled out his 6-foot-3, 252-pound frame even more and spent the majority of the summer in the backfield making life difficult for Hurts & Co.
He and Greenard lead an edge group that also features Nolan Smith Jr., AJ Epenesa and Arnold Ebiketie. That's plenty of firepower, especially when you pair them with a line led by Carter, Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo.-- McManus
Cowboys
Donovan Ezeiruaku leads the Cowboys in sacks. Though he had only two as a rookie, he added 43 quarterback pressures. Healthy from offseason hip surgery and carrying more know-how in his second year -- plus the tutelage of Gary and future Hall of Famer Von Miller -- he should be able to turn those pressures into sacks in 2026. In their second season after losing Micah Parsons, who had at least 12 sacks in each of his four seasons, Ezeiruaku will reach double digits.-- Archer
Giants
The Giants surprise some good teams. They might not be a perfect team, but there is enough talent to beat some top competition. Heck, they got wins over the Cowboys and Eagles last year with Dart at quarterback, so they're capable. The Giants have a quarterback in Dart who can make special plays. They have a No. 1 receiver in Malik Nabers. They (finally) have a good offensive line and a power running game that should be effective. And when they have a lead, the pass rush led by Brian Burns and Abdul Carter can do damage. The Giants are going to upset quality teams this season and be in the playoff race come December.-- Raanan
Commanders
Daniels reminds everyone he's capable of being a top-five quarterback and Washington is much better than people think. Of course, many think they will be one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Commanders have holes. The offensive line is a question after losing All-Pro left tackle Laremy Tunsil. If the line can be at least average -- as it was two years ago en route to the NFC Championship Game -- then the Commanders can surprise. An improved defense, especially the pass rush, needs to take a big leap to make the postseason. If Commanders don't have a good one, they won't surprise anybody.-- Keim
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