If this off-season is any indication, the NFC East won’t be the running joke of the National Football League again in 2021, especially if the suddenly big-spending NY Giants have any say in the matter.
The division that faced the most scrutiny all last season spent big in free agency – the top three teams putting money where their mouths are. Even the last place team, the Philadelphia Eagles, accumulated assets – gaining a couple high draft picks for their former quarterback, Carson Wentz.
The Giants perhaps made the flashier moves in free agency – making Kenny Golladay and Adoree’ Jackson very rich men. In addition to the new faces in town, they spent big to keep their own – inking defensive star Leonard Williams to a monster deal.
Williams and the NY Giants ended their saga, and the Dallas Cowboys ended a saga of their own as well – finally signing quarterback Dak Prescott to a long-term deal. After locking up their signal caller to a 4 year, $160 million deal, they’re going to expect him to play at an elite level.
Finally, the defending division champions have a couple of new stars on offense – the Washington Football Team signed Ryan Fitzpatrick and Curtis Samuel to jumpstart the unit. On the other side of the ball, they brought in defensive back William Jackson III – a move that looks even better with the Giants’ signing of Golladay.
The division has undergone a facelift in free agency – but what does that mean for the 2021 season?
Here’s five bold predictions for the NFC East after free agency.
1) The Philadelphia Eagles select a quarterback in the 2021 Draft
The Philadelphia Eagles have had ample opportunities to commit to second-year quarterback, Jalen Hurts – and they haven’t.
General manager Howie Roseman has been outspoken about the team exploring all their options, even the idea of a quarterback they like falling to them at sixth overall.
"“We’re excited about that opportunity here coming up,” Roseman said, in a press conference earlier this month. “Hopefully, we’re never in this spot again picking where we’re picking, but at the same time, make the most of it.”"
One way to make the most of it is to get a signal caller you wholeheartedly believe in.
Whether coach Doug Pederson went rogue or Roseman gave the order from above, the team’s treatment of Hurts in their Week 17 debacle against Washington told you everything. In a game that could’ve given their rookie quarterback valuable experience, they opted to play career back-up, Nate Sudfeld.
If Roseman falls in love with Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, Hurts isn’t stopping him. If the Eagles general manager doesn’t believe Hurts can return the team to their former glory, he’s playing on borrowed time.
Even after signing Joe Flacco to a deal that could be worth $4 million, Flacco isn’t the long-term answer, and the Eagles don’t know if Hurts is, either.
The ‘quarterback factory’ in Philadelphia gets another member.
2) Dak Prescott finishes top two in MVP Voting
Before his unfortunate injury last season, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was having a season for the ages.
Prescott threw for 1856 yards and 9 touchdowns in just four and a half games – proving he can put up elite numbers at the quarterback position.
After his season ended in October last year, he’s going to come back with a vengeance.
A full, traditional off-season with head coach Mike McCarthy will only help the Cowboys’ signal caller improve. While the team didn’t win much before Prescott’s injury, the offense was humming.
Another relationship that should improve is Prescott’s with last year’s first round pick, receiver CeeDee Lamb. The former Oklahoma Sooner put up impressive numbers despite quarterbacks like Andy Dalton, Ben DiNucci and Garrett Gilbert throwing him the ball – catching 74 passes for 935 yards and five touchdowns.
Prescott was on track for career highs in every statistical category before his injury – expect him to pick up right where he left off. If he does, his bank account won’t be the only numbers in the elite category.
3) The Giants’ defense joins the NFL’s top-tier
NY Giants general manager, Dave Gettleman, envisioned his team winning games by running the football and playing great defense. This year, he won’t need to pop videos of Bill Parcells’ Giants into the VCR – he can watch it take place on the field.
Defensive coordinator, Patrick Graham, worked his magic on the team’s unit last year – spinning twine into gold as they shocked the football world on multiple occasions. Another year, plus the additions of top level talent to the unit, will help propel them to one of the league’s best.
While the signing of Kenny Golladay was huge, it’s possible that Adoree’ Jackson will be more impactful. The second cornerback position doomed the team on multiple occasions in 2020 – having a player of Jackson’s caliber in that role changes everything.
It’s tough to find a weak spot in this defense, but many believe the team still needs help rushing the passer. With the NFL Draft looming large, along with the returns of Lorenzo Carter and Oshane Ximines – help is on the way.
The Giants’ defense will make the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Michael Strahan and Justin Tuck proud this season.
4) The Washington Football Team misses the playoffs
The NFC East hasn’t had a repeat winner since the 2004 Philadelphia Eagles – the Washington Football team won’t buck that trend. In fact, they won’t come close – they’ll finish third in the division in 2021.
While the team features a fantastic receiving duo in Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel, in addition to their ferocious defense – their quarterbacks are too volatile to be trusted. They signed free agent enigma, Ryan Fitzpatrick, to be the team’s starter in 2021 – with playoff hero Taylor Heinicke vying to back him up.
While the two have potential to light up the scoreboard, they also have proven to be unreliable. You almost never know what you’re going to get with Fitzpatrick, and Heinicke is a year removed from being a back-up in the XFL.
The team’s defense can only carry them so far – if their quarterbacks turn the ball over the way their quarterbacks have in the past, it won’t work.
Washington’s quarterback situation is one of the most interesting in the league – both their options with their roller-coaster play styles. While it can be exciting and win you games on occasion, their inconsistencies will be the team’s achilles heel.
In a crowded NFC, it’ll keep them out of the playoffs.
5) Two NFC East teams make the playoffs
The NY Giants and the Dallas Cowboys will each represent the division in the playoffs.
A year after being the doormat of the league, the division will send two teams to the dance. The Cowboys led by their superstar quarterback, and the Giants by their tremendous defense.
After last year ended with Andy Dalton chucking up an interception and Wayne Gallman sitting on a fumble, the two teams will improve their fortunes immensely. They’ll continue to battle it out – but the stakes much higher in 2021.
While it became a running joke that the Giants’ season usually starts with a primetime game in Dallas, television networks won’t be burned by the two teams this year. The games between the rivals will be must-see.
While the Cowboys have been to the postseason numerous times over the last decade, the Giants have only been once since their Super Bowl 46 victory. A new era of Giants’ football is on the way – and the results will back that up next year.
NFC Least no longer – it’s going to be a hard-fought, entertaining battle for the division in 2021.