2021 NFC East Preview

July 1, 2021

by Steve Thomas

We’ve obviously spent the entire offseason obsessing over all things to do with the Washington Redskins WFT The Team the Football Team Washington Football Team Washington, so I wanted to take a few moments to take a look at how the offseason has gone for our favorite team’s division rivals, as well as a projection of what we might see from them during the regular season.

For comparison purposes, Washington’s out-of-division opponents this coming season are: Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Las Vegas Raiders.  Washington’s entire schedule can be found here.

Let’s start with the team’s most hated rival.

Dallas Cowboys

Losses: QB Andy Dalton, OT Cameron Erving, C Marcus Henry, TE Cole Hikutini, WR Jon’Vea Johnson, WR Chris Lacy, LS L.P. Ladouceur, OT Greg Senat, LB Joe Thomas, WR Malik Turner, S Xavier Woods

Arrivals: DE Tarell Basham, S Damontae Kazee, S Jayron Kearse, LS Jake McQuaide, FS Keanu Neal, OT Ty Nsekhe, DL Brent Urban, DT Carlos Watkins

Major draft picks: LB Micah Parsons (rd 1), CB Kelvin Joseph (rd 2)

Schedule differences from Washington: New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, and Arizona Cardinals instead of Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, and Green Bay Packers

Notes: The story of Dallas’ offseason was the re-signing of franchise QB Dak Prescott to an enormous 4 year, $160M contract.  Dallas also made a big effort to improve their poor defense, so it’s possible that the 2021 Dallas Cowboys simultaneously see a tremendous improvement on offense due to Prescott’s return from injury while coupled with a greatly improved pass defense thanks to the arrival of Parsons and a number of new secondary members.  In addition, Dallas’ schedule appears to be easier than that of Washington, so the fact that most analysts have Dallas favored to win the division is probably fair.

New York Giants

Losses: OT Cam Fleming, LB Kyler Fackrell, RB Wayne Gallman, QB Colt McCoy, DL Dalvin Tomlinson

Arrivals: LB Ryan Anderson, RB Devontae Booker, G Zach Fulton, QB Mike Glennon, WR Kenny Golladay, CB Adoree’ Jackson, LB Ifeadi Odenigbo, LB Reggie Ragland, WR John Ross, TE Kyle Rudolph

Major draft picks: WR Kadarius Toney (rd 1), LB Azeez Ojulari (rd 2)

Schedule differences from Washington: Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, and Chicago Bears instead of Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks

Notes: The Giants made a big effort to help out their 2019 first round draft pick, quarterback Daniel Jones, who hasn’t been a total bust but also hasn’t been particularly good either.  New York brought in the top receiver on the free agent market, Kenny Golladay, drafted an elite talent in Kadarius Toney, and signed the uber-speedy John Ross, who has been a disappointment but also has been suffering in Cincinnati, where NFL careers go to die.  New York also has a much easier schedule than Washington.  The whole operation ultimately depends on whether Jones is going to take a step forward, but if that happens – which seems unlikely – this team could hypothetically be an offensive nightmare.

Philadelphia Eagles

Losses: LB Joe Bachie, S Blake Countess, DT Treyvon Hester, CB Jameson Houston, WR DeSean Jackson, QB Carson Wentz

Arrivals: RT Le’Raven Clark, QB Joe Flacco, DT Willie Henry, RB Kerryon Johnson, DE Ryan Kerrigan, DB Shakial Taylor, CB Josiah Scott, OT Casey Tucker, LB Eric Wilson

Major draft picks:  WR DeVonta Smith (rd 1), C Landon Dickerson (rd 2), RB Kenneth Gainwell (rd 4)

Schedule differences from Washington: San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets instead of Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, and Seattle Seahawks

Notes:  The Eagles have for reasons known only to them decided to hand their starting quarterback job to Jalen Hurts, who was mostly terrible as a passer with the exception of week 15 against the Cardinals, but who is a quality runner (which, incidentally, was pretty much what he was in college, too).  They didn’t go “all in”, though, because they brought in a starter-quality backup in Joe Flacco in the most likely inevitable event that Hurts shows that he’s not up to the job.  They drafted Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith, who played with Hurts at Alabama for two years, to help.  It’s going to be tough for Washington fans to have to watch longtime Redskin pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan play for the City of Hate.  Of all of the NFC East teams, Vegas has given the Eagles the longest odds of winning the division, with good reason.