NFC East preview and predictions: Eagles soar to top of division

Steve Serby previews the NFC East as The Publish offers division-by-division breakdowns forward of the 2022 NFL season.

1. Philadelphia Eagles 

Coach: Nick Sirianni 

2021 file: 9-8 

O/U wins: 9.5 

Key additions: WR A.J. Brown, DE Haason Reddick, CB James Bradberry, DT Jordan Davis, LB Nakobe Dean, LB Kyzir White, S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, WR Zach Pascal, G Cam Jurgens 

Key departures: G Brandon Brooks, RB Jordan Howard, DE Ryan Kerrigan, CB Steven Nelson, S Rodney McLeod, DT Hassan Ridgeway, OLB Gerard Avery, LB Alex Singleton, WR Mack Hollins, LB Genard Avery, WR J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR Jalen Reagor 

First-and-goal: The commerce for Brown that pairs him with WR DeVonta Smith could be a godsend for lightning-rod quarterback Jalen Hurts. Quez Watkins is a pleasant WR3 and Dallas Goedert could be a top-five tight finish. An elite O-line anchored by veteran C Jason Kelce is bookended by large LT Jordan Mailata and athletic RT Lane Johnson. RB Miles Sanders can flourish if he can keep on the sphere, though Kenneth Gainwell has higher arms for the passing sport and eyes on the short-yardage and goal-line position. Reddick (23.5 sacks over final two seasons) upgrades the go rush. DT Javon Hargrave (7.5 sacks) notched his first Professional Bowl look. Davis, a first-round decide, is a uncommon 340-pound specimen summoned to shore up the run protection. DT Fletcher Cox returns on a one-year deal to offer management. The instinctive White registered 144 tackles final 12 months with the Chargers. Gardner-Johnson upgrades what has been a mediocre security place. Bradberry and CB Darius Slay are completed veterans. Hurts is harmful as a runner. QB Gardner Minshew is a high quality backup. The schedule is among the best. 

A.J. Brown.
A.J. Brown in motion throughout an Eagles preseason sport.
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Fourth-and-long: Hurts (61.3 p.c) wants to enhance his accuracy and make a leap for the Eagles to enter the Tremendous Bowl dialog. The go rush ranked twenty ninth final season. 

Serby Says: 10-7. GM Howie Roseman crushed the offseason. Fly, Eagles, Fly. 

Betting on the NFL?

2. Dallas Cowboys 

Coach: Mike McCarthy 

2021 file: 12-5 

O/U wins: 9.5 

Key additions: WR Jalen Tolbert, OT Tyler Smith, WR James Washington, DE Dante Fowler Jr., OLB Anthony Barr, DE Sam Williams, WR-KR KaVontae Turpin 

Key departures: WR Amari Cooper, WR Cedrick Wilson, OT La’el Collins, Ok Greg Zuerlein, DE Randy Gregory, TE Blake Jarwin, S Damontae Kazee, G Connor Williams, S Keanu Neal 

First-and-goal: OLB Micah Parsons (13 sacks as DROY) is eyeing 23 for the single-season sack file. DE DeMarcus Lawrence had a 3rd Professional Bowl season sabotaged by a fractured foot. Second-round decide Sam Williams seems to be like a predator. It may be a good suggestion for Daniel Jones, Jalen Hurts and Carson Wentz to keep away from throwing at CB Trevon Diggs (11 INTs). What if the Giants had drafted RG Zack Martin as a substitute of Odell Beckham Jr.? RB Ezekiel Elliott is 27 with 1,938 profession touches however stays a twin menace, particularly if extra explosive backup Tony Pollard can carry extra of the load. Dak Prescott (career-best 68.8 completion proportion and 37 TDs passing) is one other 12 months faraway from his ugly ankle harm and WR CeeDee Lamb is elite. WR Michael Gallup, due again quickly from an ACL, is a deep menace and TE Dalton Schultz is a giant goal. DC Dan Quinn and OC Kellen Moore are extremely regarded, as is daring particular groups coordinator John Fassel. 

Micah Parsons.
Micah Parsons performs protection towards the San Francisco 49ers.
Getty Photos

Fourth-and-long: Jerry Jones not has a dominant O-line, particularly with LT Tyron Smith, who has performed 68 of the final 100 video games, on the shelf till not less than December. Rookie Tyler Smith is the presumptive starter. Cooper is in Cleveland, whereas rookie receiver Tolbert had higher be able to make the bounce from South Alabama. McCarthy will once more discover himself on the new seat if he once more fields essentially the most penalized (127) staff within the league. Lawrence wants Sam Williams as a bookend go rusher when it received’t be Parsons. The middle and proper deal with positions are mediocre. Kicker is a priority. 

Serby Says: 9-8. The Boys haven’t received the Lombardi since Tremendous Bowl 30. What can go fallacious will go fallacious. 

3. Washington Commanders 

Coach: Ron Rivera 

2021 file: 7-10 

O/U wins: 7.5 

Key additions: QB Carson Wentz, WR Jahan Dotson, G Trai Turner, G Andrew Norwell, DT Phidarian Mathis, RB Brian Robinson, S Percy Butler, QB Sam Howell, TE Cole Turner, DE Efe Obada, WR Alex Erickson 

Key departures: G Brandon Scherff, G Ereck Flowers, S Landon Collins, DT Tim Settle, DT Matt Ioannidis, WR-KR DeAndre Carter, QB Kyle Allen 

Carson Wentz.
Carson Wentz seems to be on throughout the preseason.
Getty Photos

First-and-goal: Wentz needs to be an improve over Taylor Heinicke, however his confidence and decision-making waver. Scary Terry McLaurin is his $71 million Go-To Man. RB Antonio Gibson is a 1,000-yard twin menace even together with his fumbling woes. J.D. McKissic is a harmful third-down again. 5-time Professional Bowler Trai Turner replaces Scherff. DE Chase Younger is rehabbing (ACL) and received’t be out there early, however when he returns, he’ll be a part of bookend Montez Sweat and DTs Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne on an elite entrance 4. The secondary boasts CB Kendall Fuller and S Kamren Curl. The kicking sport is strong with big-legged P Tress Means and PK Joey Slye. Opponents had a .462 profitable proportion final season. 

Fourth-and-long: Younger (knee) will miss the primary 4 weeks. The Colts gave up on Wentz, who wilted with playoffs on the road. Bear in mind? Can WR Curtis Samuel rebound from his injury-marred 2021? Can TE Logan Thomas rebound from his torn ACL? Carter has taken his 8.4 yards per punt return and 25.1 yards on kick returns to the Chargers. Who replaces him? The much less mentioned about proprietor Dan Snyder the higher. 

Serby Says: 8-9. We’ve seen the perfect of Carson Wentz. 

4. New York Giants 

Saquon Barkley.
Saquon Barkley will get in some preseason work.
Getty Photos

Coach: Brian Daboll 

2021 file: 4-13 

O/U wins: 6.5 

Key additions: OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux, OT Evan Neal, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, QB Tyrod Taylor, C Jon Feliciano, G Mark Glowinski, RB Matt Breida, G Max Garcia, TE Daniel Bellinger, P Jamie Gillan, DE Jihad Ward 

Key departures: CB James Bradberry, S Jabrill Peppers, TE Kyle Rudolph, QB Mike Glennon, QB Jake Fromm, RB Devontae Booker, LB Lorenzo Carter, P Riley Dixon, TE Evan Engram, G Will Hernandez, NT Danny Shelton, T Nate Solder 

First-and-long: Saquon Barkley can catch 91 passes once more if he can keep wholesome. LT Andrew Thomas is ascending. Security Xavier McKinney has Professional Bowl written throughout him. WR Kadarius Toney can break ankles within the open subject if he can keep on that open subject. Daboll’s offense will get the perfect out of QB Daniel Jones. Robinson is a jitterbug. You’d moderately play with DC Wink Martindale than towards him. Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari have an opportunity to be pass-rush terrors and will assist Leonard Williams and Dexter Lawrence. Graham Gano is a profession 84 p.c field-goal kicker. Backup QB Tyrod Taylor is much better insurance coverage than Glennon and Fromm. 

Fourth-and-long: The longer term is now for Jones. Or by no means. The O-line shall be higher, however let’s not name it mounted. RT Neal is a keeper, however there shall be rising pains. Has WR Kenny Golladay been taking part in possum or what? Can WR Sterling Shepard keep wholesome? Be good if Mark Bavaro might come out of retirement, however it seems to be like Bellinger at TE. CB Aaron Robinson is a piece in progress reverse Adoree’ Jackson. Is the left-footed Gillan an improve over Dixon? 

Serby Says: 7-10. Yr 1 of the brand new regime. At the very least they received’t be unwatchable.

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