2020 Season Predictions Roundtable: NFC East

We continue our season predictions series with the NFC East.

This was the only division that failed to produce a 10-win team in 2019. The Eagles edged out the Cowboys with a 9-7 record. New York and Washington combined to win a meager seven games and Jason Garrett’s underachieving tenure in Dallas ended. Looking towards to the 2020 season, two NFC East teams appear to have the talent required to compete in the highly competitive NFC.

Baltimore Beatdown staff’s predictions:

1. Dallas

2. Philadelphia *

3. Washington

4. New York

New head coach Mike McCarthy inherits a loaded roster in Dallas. On the offensive side of the ball, the Cowboys rank among the very best at quarterback, offensive line, receiving trio and running back. They aced the draft and bolstered their defensive front in free agency, expect Dallas to vie for the top seed in the NFC.

Philadelphia is another viable contender, their strength lies in the trenches on both sides of the ball. If Carson Wentz can find his MVP caliber form and their revamped secondary improves, the Eagles can make a run in the postseason.

Washington is on the road to respectability with perhaps the league’s imposing defensive line and impressive second-year wideout Terry McLaurin headlining the offense. The fate of Joe Judge’s Giants depend on Daniel Jones’ development.

- Vasilis Lericos

1. Dallas

2. Philadelphia *

3. New York

4. Washington

Dallas has cemented themselves as the favorite for me in the NFC East due to their stellar draft this past summer, along with a former Super Bowl champion coach in Mike McCarthy. There is also room for Dak to light up the league this season, his production has steadily improved every year, not to mention the massive payday he’d receive if he does well.

Philly still hasn’t quite stopped partying since their Super Bowl win, but they’ve managed to consistently stay in the mix, seemingly by sheer force of will, and along with a new receiving core and a new backup for Wentz, it wouldn’t be a surprise at all if the Eagles nabbed a wild card spot.

New York and Washington are both in full rebuild mode, so don’t expect much from either team this year. What could be exciting about New York, however, is the development of Daniel Jones and the new talent they added around him. For Washington, the biggest things to look forward to are the new name and logo, as well as Chase Young possibly becoming the face of the franchise if he can recreate some of his college success.

- Peter Daubert

1. Philadelphia

2. Dallas

3. New York

4. Washington

I predict that the Eagles will rebound in a big way this season and will win the division over the Cowboys. Carson Wentz should produce at an MVP level with healthy wide receivers again. Dallas will come in second, although it will be a close battle until the very end of the season. Prescott will earn a fat new contract extension with a strong 2020 season. The Giants will finish third, failing to reach a .500 record despite some noticeable improvements across the team. Washington will remain the basement dwellers of the division and compete for the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

- Dustin Cox

1. Philadelphia

2. Dallas

3. Washington

4. New York

I expect the Eagles and Cowboys to once again be jostling for positioning atop the division standings for much of the 2020 season.

Top-to-bottom, I think the Cowboys have a slightly better overall roster. However, by trading for cornerback Darius Slay and drafting receiver Jalen Reagor in the offseason, the Eagles made significant upgrades to their two weakest position groups. Look for Carson Wentz to finally put the pieces together this year and finish as an MVP finalist, propelling Philadelphia to another division title by virtue of a tiebreaker.

Washington and New York are both in rebuilding stages around second-year quarterbacks, and I don’t see either team winning more than five or six games. However, I think Washington has a superior defense and head coach, which is why I’m more inclined to give them a razor-thin advantage over the Giants right now.

- Frank J. Platko

1. Philadelphia

2. Dallas *

3. Washington

4. New York

I’m AWFUL at predicting the NFC East. I had the ‘Boys in the Super Bowl last year, but they couldn’t even beat an injury riddled Eagles squad to see the postseason. If the Eagles can avoid the injury bug, they’ve proven to be playoff capable year in and out.

The Cowboys have ultimately been a paper tiger since Dak Prescott’s rookie season. Their roster is loaded with talent at all levels but coaching woes have led to a string of underachieving seasons for football’s most profitable team. If McCarthy can make the proper adjustments, watch out.

Washington intrigues me. If Dwayne Haskins can play at an above average level, with Terry McLaurin and a scary defensive line, the Redskins could rack up six to-eight wins.

The Giants have youthful promise. Andrew Thomas was my top tackle in the draft, while Xavier McKinney and Jabrill Peppers provide much needed matchup ability against backs and tight ends. If Daniel Jones cuts down on the turnovers and their pass defense improves, they’re only a year away from being a contender.

- Spencer Schultz