The NFC East had three playoff teams in 2022. If not for a December collapse, the Washington Commanders would have made it four, and the NFC East would have been the first division in NFL history to send every team to the playoffs.
In the playoffs, the Giants, Eagles and Cowboys made up the NFC’s divisional round. The San Francisco 49ers were the only non-NFC East team in the conference’s final four.
This offseason, each of the four teams have been active. The Cowboys didn’t have a big offseason, but they added help at important positions. The Eagles lost some key pieces, retained others, and then had an outstanding NFL draft.
The Giants re-signed quarterback Daniel Jones, applied the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, and added more help for Jones at wide receiver and tight end. Meanwhile, the Commanders re-signed star defensive tackle Daron Payne, signed two offensive line starters in free agency and picked up two starting defensive backs in the draft.
Overall, the NFC East should be as good, if not better, than it was one year ago.
CBS Sports recently ranked all eight NFL divisions, and, no surprise, the NFC East came in at No. 1.
Here’s what was said about the Commanders:
Washington has another quarterback battle, but the Commanders were able to finish .500 (8-8-1) last year despite the position’s struggles. If Sam Howell is as good as the Commanders make him out to be, this is a playoff team.
The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat winner in 18 years. The Eagles are the best team, but the Cowboys will have a strong say on whether Philadelphia can repeat. No matter who wins it, it’s the strongest division from top to bottom.
The NFC East divisional games should be fun again in 2023.
