This team has taken command of the NFC East in 2025

Cowboys could welcome back up to 3 key players vs Commanders

Now that the 2025 NFL Draft has concluded, and the undrafted rookies are signing as free agents, it’s time to take stock of the NFC East.

While the weekly schedules won’t be released by the NFL until May 14^th, we do know the home and away opponents for all four teams. This year will be a tough grind for the entire division.

In 2024, the NFC East was a combined 29-39.

Only Washington and Philadelphia ended the season above .500.

Expect three of the teams to have fewer wins in 2025 than they did in 2024, given the current rosters of their team and their opponents.

The only team that will have a better won-lost record in 2025 will be the Giants. Frankly, they were so bad last year they can only improve.

As was the case last year, these predictions are not set in stone until the day of the regular season opener. They will change as rosters change.

Also, recall last year the Cowboys were picked to go 8-9, and you all lost your minds.

Dallas finished 7-10, in case you’ve forgotten.

That being said, here is the current predicted 2025 finish for the NFC East. The predicted record is first, last year’s final record second, and then the team’s home and away opponents.

Followed by the explanation for each of the predictions.

Ready? Let’s get the show on the road with the predicted 2025 NFC East champions:

Washington Commanders

Prediction: 11-6

Last Year: (12-5)

Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons

NFC East begins season with a split decision 1

Washington was leading the NFC East at one point last year, with a rookie quarterback and a new coaching staff.

The Commanders faded down the stretch, losing some close games that ultimately cost them the division. But they did bump off the top-seeded Lions in the playoffs.

So far, Washington has done well at addressing the areas that ended up costing them in those close contests.

They have some tough road games on the slate, which will knock off one win from last year’s mark.

The good news for them is this: the Eagles have a harder road to navigate and will fall much more short of last year’s record.

Philadelphia Eagles

Prediction: 9-8

Last Year: (14-3)

Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams

Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Cowboys' Week 17 effort falls flat as Eagles dominate __-__

The Eagles’ road schedule will account for most of the five-win drop from last year’s Super Bowl run. Plus, Saquon Barkley will not replicate his revenge tour season of 2024.

The fact that teams tend to play up and above their usual levels whenever the defending champs hit the field will not help.

Toss in the complacency that usually plagues a Super Bowl team, not everyone can be the Chiefs, and the Eagles are looking at a 6^th or 7^th-seeded wildcard postseason. Especially if the Tush Push goes away.

Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: 5-12

Last Year: (7-10)

Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals

Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers

Dallas Cowboys Complete Enthralling Late Win Over the Pittsburgh Steelers with Dak Prescott Delivering Masterclass Game-Winning Drive

Yeah, yeah, I know. You’re not any happier about this prediction than you were with last year’s picks.

How did that turn out again?

I almost went with 4-13 because the Cowboys’ schedule is that hard. I see them winning just twice at home in 2025 with the Jets, Raiders, and Giants as the road wins.

As for the why?

We are nearly two months into the 2025 offseason. The Dallas Cowboys have not improved their offense in the slightest.

That is going to put the defense out on the field a lot and that unit will break down.

Unless the Cowboys pull off an amazing run of trades and free agent signings, we’re in for another long, disappointing year, my friends.

New York Giants

Prediction: 4-13

Last Year: (3-14)

Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers

Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints

A football player in white tackles another player in blue, bringing him to the ground during a football game.

Like Dallas, I haven’t seen the major improvement that lets Big Blue leapfrog the Cowboys into third place. Yet.

But if the Giants can steal a win against Dallas this year, they could be the 5-12 team with Dallas falling to 4-13 instead.

Again, there’s a lot of long, hot days ahead between now and opening kickoffs in September.

Which means a lot can, and probably will change before then.

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Richard Paolinelli

Richard Paolinelli is an award-winning sports journalist with 34 years of professional newsroom experience. His newspaper career (1991–2011) includes the Gallup Independent, Modesto Bee, Gustine Press-Standard, Turlock Journal, Merced Sun-Star, Tracy Press, Patch, and San Francisco Examiner. He received the 2001 California Newspaper Publishers Association Best Sports Story award. Richard has authored two non-fiction sports books and 11 novels. At InsideTheStar.com, he has published 874 articles reaching over 728,000 readers.

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43 Comments

Siempre 1 year ago

The 2025 draft was a bizarre waste . None of the needs were solved which is hard to do when there are so many needs. The one thing Dallas had was guards and edge players---so , Jerry uses his picks on a guard and edge. After that came an injured guy and some odds and ends of little consequence. The team is worse off now than in 2024. Difficult to fail so much when picking 12th so not many wins out there.
Tyson 1 year ago

Lmao 4-13 tht is Ludacris. FIRST off Dak getting hurt is the cause for the losing season. But to say we didn't improve our offense sounds nuts. The o line got younger and better with the addition of BOOKER. The RB room is better and much more versatile good mix of youth and vets. We will sign Amari or another free agent WR thus improving the WR room. TE is going to be healthy and better. The new coaching staff is going to bring a new culture and Schotty is going to improve the scheme with our new OC and line coach not to forget the improved RB room will help DAK and keep the defense fresh. As for the defense barring any significant injuries in camp the free agent acquisitions at LB, DT, the return of Sam Williams, Daron Bland, the Kaiir Elam addition along with Ezaraiku and the drafted DT'S the defense will improve in the run stopping and the pass rush will be better, Fowler, Williams, Parsons, Ezaraiku what a rotation. It's no longer sexy to pick DALLAS I get it smh, but to say this team did it improve the offense is " fake news " so let's pit the whiskey down before writing assanine articles. Stephen A. Smith trolls so now everyone jumps on the band wagon. In my opinion this young coaching staff is bringing a new chapter to this storied franchise Schotty is going to shock all you non-believers and so will this team. I think everyone forgets what DAK has done to this division with less around him defensively, an o line tht has been declining since T. Fredrick and Doug Free retired the TYLERS are going to be the next great wall of DALLAS. So haters hate but keep tht same energy.
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  Remind me what Dallas' record was when he went down, while trailing against the Falcons? He'd thrown 8 picks in those 8 games. Trust me, even if he stays healthy, 7-10 was the probable outcome, 8-9 at best.
Vern 1 year ago

What a clown. The Eagles only predicted for 9 wins? I can't stop laughing at the imbecile
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  Check back with me in January. Life tip: When I'm proven right, you - and many others - are not going to like the "I told you so" post I'll be writing. And it is "this imbecile". Maybe stop booing Santa Claus up there in Philly and hit the English books instead?
Bill 1 year ago

Philly here...9-8??? Are you smoking Crack? As long as "Jerry" is GM, Cowgirls will continue to, as we say up here..."Dallas Sucks".
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  Check back with me in January. Meanwhile, stop booing Santa Claus!
C. Schoonie 1 year ago

You’re correct, I wanted to be mad, and curse your article, but it really hurts my heart to agree with the reality of your work here. As with every article of yours, it’s well done with seemingly way more facts than errors (well not errors, more like probable facts that sting when it’s obvious). I have bled Blue & Silver since the early 70s. I had hoped when J.J. traded Jimmy for Barry, that it was just a ‘heat of the moment’ thing. Then came Campo & Phillips. Both were unbelievable coordinators, but not HCs. I realized then that Jimmy would be the last HC that was more than just a ’Yes man’ & puppet for J.J. to push around. The only part of your prediction that I personally, could fall either way on, is that I can see them, is that, at least on paper, they could reach 9 possibly 10 wins, realistically though, they’re probably on target for 4-13 to 8-9. Of course, the 9-8 and up, is with the asterisk of IF the playmakers stay healthy, which we’ve all seen as a reoccurring issue for the past 5, 6+ seasons. Anyway great article to read, but it’s to say you’re probably spot-on. I certainly hope not, but being a 50-year, I can’t deny the truth of it as fact.
James 1 year ago

Your a moron
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  *You're
  1. James 1 year ago
    
    You say Dallas didn't upgrade I say Dallas was very active upgrading offense and defense booker is actually an upgrade over the often injured Martin who was on a serious decline.he will open up lanes for the running backs and keep Prescott upright.Blue is a monster threat anytime he has the ball in his hands and imagine him running behind a pulling booker I say these two players alone do more for the offense than a receiver could of done don't discount how much the defense will have to account on blue because his sub 4.3 was on a injured foot and was actually clock 4.2 at his pro day both are pics to a make life easier for dak and and to keep the chains moving just to say they won't move the ball is moronic at best and to say the offense will leave the defense to break this is a different bunch of guys on defense how could you know what the future holds LMFAO Umm I think thats why they actually play the game I'm so sick of you so called and self proclaimed experts pushing your opinions on everyone when you don't have any clue anymore then anyone else and save me the grammer lessons I could care less I actually work for a living I don't sit my fat butt behind a computer all day hating on everyone's team you might as well be Skip and Steven A nobody likes them either I live and die a true cowboys fan win or lose why don't you write an inspirational story next time about one of these new fine young men and monster puzzle pieces we just got at least that way you could speak from what you know because it's based on fact and not something that hasn't happened. Like I said in my first comment Moron did I spell that right
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      If Dallas had addressed RB1 and WR2 in either FA or in the second and third rounds to get legit starters at those positions I would agree. But adding to an already overcrowded offensive line while ignoring both glaring weaknesses on offense and drafting two backups on defense instead? Sorry, overall, the Cowboys have not improved their offense with their draft class.
      1. James 1 year ago
        
        Lmao right so replacing martin wasn't a need ? Hoffman is fine for a few games but he isn't a healthy Martin and he isn't Booker period and none of the linemen they picked up in free agency.address the the things that are a need in the draft as it comes to you and go by who is the best player you have slotted there .you don't reach for need at a position because it's a skill player lol You think Donovan and revell are backups dude these are legit starters this shows how little you know about football will they start well revel has got a great chance because of diggs injury but he's a first round talent picked up in the third and Donovan probably won't start because we have to established starters but he very well could start day one and you can't have enough of them impact ends and Dallas will terrorize quarterbacks now with him on board Everytime they step back to throw. I can't even with you! anyone can paint a house dummy but if the foundation is broke why?
        
        Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
        
        Funny how the run game kicked in when Hoffman was a starter last year. The first round pick of Hooker only makes sense if Dallas was going to draft a 3-down back - like Skattebo in the third round and a solid Wr2 in the 2nd. They drafted 2 backups, one with a bad knee, instead. Unless they swing a big trade for a WR2 and either Blue or Williams morphs into a 3-down back this team went backwards and will not win 7 games. Again, wait for my final prediction on opening day of the season for my final predictions. The numbers may, or may not change depending on the moves Dallas makes in the next four months. But as all rosters stand now, I stand by the picks in this post. Check back with me in January.
Peter 1 year ago

The Eagles won the Superbowl, had the best defense in football last year, lost only rotational players in FA (excluding Williams and maybe Becton), and had an awesome draft to to fill in for FA losses. You somehow equate all of that to a 9 win season. Make it make sense!!! Because what you jist wrote dont make any sense Baring major injury issues this year Eagles not only win the division but repeat as superbowl champs again. I know Nobody here wants to admit it but damm wake up yall. Give credit where it's due.
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  The Eagles will have 17 games against opponents who will play above their usual level because they are playing the defending champs. Happens every year. Some teams can overcome that, some can't. The Eagles are not one of those teams. Their schedule is a lot tougher this year. They aren't winning 14 games against the teams they are facing. Book it. As I said with an earlier commenter: Check back with me in January.
  1. Vern 1 year ago
    
    Lol. The Birds will win 12 plus and cruise to the nfc championship game. I despise Dallas but they will win 8 or 9 games this season.
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      Have you seen who the NFC East teams have on their schedules this year? No, you clearly have not...
  2. Senior 1 year ago
    
    Put the drink down buddy
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      As soon as you set down the Kool-Aid that you're drinking, friend...
      1. Tony 1 year ago
        
        He's a Dallas fan please explain where the Kool-Aid is coming from? You might have been close to predicting the Cowboys record last year but the only time being "close" actually matters is in horseshoes and hand grenades. So you have no ground to stand on with any of your predictions PERIOD. Even if being "close" did matter out of 4 teams your predictions were close on 1 single team. Being "close" for 1 out of 4 teams ain't nothing to proud of. I think it's time for you to go back to the drawing board. You can't be talking all this recklessness the way you are in these comments with a record like yours, you gotta earn that respect real talk.
        
        Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
        
        He's drinking the Jerry Jones FoolBerry flavored Kool-Aid. Every year for the past 29 years the addicts keep repeating the same nonsense: Drafting for the future, not just this year. Not signing the FA's to have more money for "our guys" - despite half of them coming off of a serious injury (Terence Steele and Michael Gallup, anyone) - then overpaying players so there isn't enough money to keep all of "our guys". Draft blunders upon draft blunders (drafting ANOTHER OL when you have 10 on the roster already and ignoring the gaping holes at other STARTING positions, and I'm not talking about just this year as this too is a recurring theme in Dallas). Seriously, y'all, how many more years of this crap are you going to go through, cheerfully swallowing this sewer water from Jones Inc.?
  3. Peter 1 year ago
    
    Why aren't they " one of those teams" other then your biased hate of them?You say that as if it's a fact. I get it every champ gets everyone's best shot but to just discredit them like that after what they just did, and are returning lile 90% of their starters. You sound like a hater plain and simple, sorry to tell ya. Still have the best defense in footbal, still have the best RB in football, still have the best OLine in football, still have a top 5 QB, and one of the best WR duos in the game. Those are all facts. And bet your bottom dollar I'll check back in with you come January. It's a date.
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      They don't make the Super Bowl last year if Washington doesn't upset the Lions. So yeah, a little luck there. The Tush Push will go the way of the Colin Kaepernick-type QB sooner or later. Defenses will eventually figure out how to negate the gimmick plays. And, as I said, the Eagles will have to be "up" for every game in 2025 and they aren't built for it. And, once again, this is a much tougher schedule for the entire division in 2025 than it had in 2024. Aside from the Giants, who really only can go up, the other three teams are not matching their win totals of 2024. It isn't hate. It's reality and the willingness to accept what your lying eyes are telling you instead of listening to the biased-rando who is drunk on his team's fool-aid.
      1. Peter 1 year ago
        
        You mad! Lol
        
        Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
        
        Why? You asked my opinion on why I think the Eagles will fall to 9-8 - based on how the rosters & schedules are at this moment in time - and I provided it. If you don't like the answer, don't ask the question.
        
        Dan 1 year ago
        
        Your an idiot. I'm gonna save this find you and laugh at ur face next year when Philly takes the division, deep playoff run, and go to the superbowl again.
        
        Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
        
        *You're
Mark 1 year ago

This guy is out of his mind. Eagles aren't going away anytime soon
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  Check back with me in January. Everyone said I was out of my mind when I picked Dallas to finish under .500 last year too. How'd did that turn out again?
  1. EL GUAPO 1 year ago
    
    How'd did Mr Spell Checker?
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      *Mr.
  2. Mark S 1 year ago
    
    Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. Keep looking for those nuts buddy
    1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
      
      So far I've been right about the Cowboys' upcoming season for 25 of the last 29 years. I've got a surplus of nuts. You?
BuzzKill 1 year ago

I hate that you are correct in your prediction. I really want to call you bad names and all of that childish stuff. however you call it right. Oh how I hate that you are right, but you are. They may have had a bit of a better draft than you are giving them credit for but, they didn't get any offensive game changers.
1. Tyson 1 year ago
  
  No game changers ? Booker was the #2 ranked OG and a beast at tht, Zack has been on a decline the last few years. So Blue and Mafha add nothing ? This prediction is off.
  1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
    
    Can he carry the ball? Run routes? Catch passes? No? Then he isn't a game changer. Just one of 15 big bodies in the OL room.
2. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  If they had been more aggressive in FA and addressed RB1 and WR2, I'd have said this was a solid draft. They did get some good players. But a team cannot have the holes this team has at RB1 and WR2 and be taken as a serious championship contender. And trust me. I hate that I have to write those posts. But I call things the way I see them, and I just don't see anything to get excited about regarding this team, this year. But I will, as a long-time fan, hope and pray that I'm proven wrong.
Lonnie 1 year ago

You are definitely handicap for posting this article. You are better off just saying you are a dosh bagg giants fan. And to say the Cowboys didn't improve any part of their offense is a hater move. Don't post anymore about football. You are clueless
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  *handicapped P.S. What language is "dosh bagg" from? What does that even mean, in English this time, if you don't mind?
  1. Tamzombren 1 year ago
EL GUAPO 1 year ago

NOPE!
1. Richard Paolinelli Post Author 1 year ago
  
  YEP!