5 NFC East bold predictions for the 2023 season with training camp here

It's the best time of year! Training camp is here, so it's time to start making predictions for the upcoming NFL season. With all 32 teams fighting to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy in February, every team's road to the Super Bowl will be different.

There's no question some divisions are just flat out better than others, and we can expect the NFC East to be among the best in the league next season. Last campaign, the NFC East was the only division where all four teams finished with a record of .500 or better. The division also had three teams compete in the postseason.

The Philadelphia Eagles were represented in last year's Super Bowl and are favorites to make the big game again this year, the New York Giants improved significantly on the offensive side of the ball this offseason, and the Washington Commanders' defense could be one of the best in the league.

The Dallas Cowboys could show flashes of success during the regular season too. With that being said, let's break down five bold predictions for the NFC East with training camp here. 

5. The Dallas Cowboys will miss the playoffs

The Dallas Cowboys are coming off back-to-back 12-win seasons, and while I do see the team finishing with a winning record again, I do not believe they will make the NFL playoffs in 2023. The Cowboys improved their roster with the additions of wideout Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore this offseason.

The team will also rely heavily on veteran quarterback Dak Prescott under first-year offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, which leaves a lot of question marks on offense. While I believe the Cowboys have a talented roster, they are not fully built to tackle their tough schedule next season.

The Cowboys are tied for the third-toughest schedule in the league, which includes six 2022 playoff teams on the road. They are also set to play five Pro Bowl quarterbacks in the last seven weeks of the season, which may hurt them down the stretch.

4. Chase Young will flirt with 10 sacks

In 2020, Washington pass-rusher Chase Young showed everyone why he should be considered one of the best defensive players in the league. The rookie out of Ohio State made 32 tackles, forced four fumbles, and recorded 7.5 sacks, earning him AP Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Young suffered a season-ending ACL tear the following season, and this past season, he was limited to just three games with the Commanders. The defensive talent knows in Year 4 he must produce and here's why.

There's a lot of pressure on the pass-rusher to succeed or his tenure with the Commanders may be over sooner than later. Earlier this offseason, Washington declined to exercise Young's fifth-year option, which means the former first-round selection will become a free agent following the 2023 season.

The Washington Commanders franchise were recently sold to a new ownership group. The organization will now be in the hands of Josh Harris and his team of investors. The new ownership could mean a new look and maybe even new team name. This could also mean a rebuild for the Commanders' front office, coaching staff, and players if they don't exceed expectations in 2023.

Young will exceed those expectations next season. The pass-rusher is due for a big year, and he will return to his proper form with a monstrous performance in 2023 and show the rest of the league why he is one of the most dangerous players in the NFL.

3. The Philadelphia Eagles will return to the Super Bowl

After extending quarterback Jalen Hurts and retaining veterans Jason Kelce, Brandon Graham, and Fletcher Cox, the Philadelphia Eagles are among the favorites to make the "big game" in 2023. Not only did the Birds manage to hold onto some of their essential pieces from their Super Bowl run in 2022, but they also improved tremendously on the defensive end of the ball.

The Eagles were active during free agency with the signing of Steelers' safety Terrell Edmunds. They also had an impressive draft picking up Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter and outside linebacker Nolan Smith in the first round. Philadelphia's most significant move of the offseason came in a trade with the Lions when the Eagles acquired running back D'Andre Swift. The deal comes after Detroit selected Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs with the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The only other team in the NFC that may threaten the Eagles' chance at a Super Bowl are the San Francisco 49ers. However, with their uncertainty at the quarterback position, the Birds still have a higher chance at a championship.

While the Eagles are determined to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, the AFC is a more vital conference with contenders such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills. Whichever team comes out of the AFC will challenge Philly on the biggest stage.

2. Darren Waller posts the second 1,000-yard season by a Giants TE

One of the biggest storylines of this NFL offseason was that the New York Giants acquired tight end Darren Waller in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders. Big Blue would send a third-round pick they received from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for receiver Kadarius Toney.

The 2020 Pro Bowl tight end immediately emerges as one of Daniel Jones' primary targets in the passing game next season. Waller ranks third in catches (280) and receiving yards (3,394) among NFL tight ends since 2019. He also recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020 with the Raiders before suffering multiple injuries the last two seasons.

Although many NFL experts are not high on Waller to succeed due to his recent injuries and the pressure he may receive in New York, former Giants' tight end Jeremy Shockey supports the Giants bringing him to East Rutherford and says the fans will love having him as well.

Jeremy Shockey played six seasons with the Giants. He won the inaugural Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award in 2002, earned four Pro Bowl selections, and was a part of the Giants' third Super Bowl victory in 2007. Shockey also came close to posting 1,000 receiving yards twice with Big Blue in 2002 (894) and 2005 (891).

There has still only been one tight end in New York Giants history to reach that milestone: Mark Bavaro, who posted 1,001 yards in 1986. His contributions that year were crucial in leading the Giants to their first Super Bowl ring.

We'll see if Waller can return to his old ways and follow in Bavaro's footsteps as the second tight end in New York Giants history to reach 1,000 yards in a single season.

1. All four NFC East teams will finish with a winning record

Undoubtedly, the NFC East will be the best division in the NFL in 2023. While two teams will compete in the postseason next year, all four teams in the division will finish with a record above .500.

The Washington Commanders' offense presents a lot of question marks with quarterback Sam Howell at the helm. However, offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy will steer the ship in the right direction. As for the defense, if Young can stay healthy, things will turn around quickly in Washington.

If Prescott can stay healthy and take advantage of his weapons in the passing game, the Dallas Cowboys should be fine. Their receiving core is strong, especially with Cooks joining the squad. Defensively the Cowboys display depth, especially on the defensive line and in the secondary. Look out for many sacks from DeMarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons, and expect a lot of interceptions from Gilmore and Trevon Diggs.

All eyes will be on the New York Giants offense led by Danny Dimes.. Jones signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the G-Men, which keeps him in Blue until 2026. The Giants also added weapons for their quarterback, including Waller, Parris Campbell, Jalin Hyatt, and more. They also retained Isaiah Hodgins, Darius Slayton, and Sterling Shepard. But the biggest news is that Saquon Barkley will break many tackles in East Rutherford next season. The veteran running back agreed to an adjusted franchise tag, which will pay him up to $11 million.

Lastly, the Philadelphia Eagles enter 2023 with unfinished business. The Vince Lombardi Trophy may have a green reflection; the Birds are considered among the favorites to win Super Bowl 58. While the Eagles have depth in all areas, we can expect their defense to stand out among the best within the league. There will be a lot of pressure on Hurts to live up to his mega-deal, but something tells us he's in for another exceptional season.

READ MORE: 5 NY Giants with the most to prove at training camp