Stop us if you’ve heard either of the following statements before. The NFC East no longer exists. Many believe it should be called the ‘NFC Least’ now, but despite the flaws of its four members, it’s been fairly competitive in the fact that it hasn’t had a repeat champion since the Philadelphia Eagles won the crown in each other four seasons between 2001 and 2004.
If that trend continues this season, we should expect the Dallas Cowboys to fall from grace at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 regular season. No Birds fan will complain when and if that happens. As a matter of fact, that seems to be what some are expecting.
Pro Football Focus may not have gotten that memo though. They recently put together a power ranking, one that might come off as being disrespectful.
Pro Football Focus places the Eagles 13th on their recent NFL Power Ranking, one spot behind the hated Dallas Cowboys.
PFF is always worth a look when you have some free time. This one’s a headscratcher though. In their recent June 20th ranking of all 32 NFL teams, they separated everyone into five tiers: true contenders, the ‘could be their year’ tier, eyes on the playoffs, stuck in limbo, and rebuilding.
The Birds, as you might imagine land in that ‘eyes on the playoffs’ zone. They’re at number 13. We can live with that. What we don’t like is seeing them slotted one spot behind the Dallas Cowboys who cracked the list at number 12. They’re also in the ‘eyes on the playoffs’ tier.
Here’s some of what Sam Monson, the writer of this one, had to say about Dallas:
"Dallas had a curious offseason where every problem it faced seemingly caught the franchise by surprise. The team traded away Amari Cooper because it was upset that he wasn’t providing the kind of value his contract suggested. Cedrick Wilson also departed in free agency. They thought they re-signed Randy Gregory, but he became upset at some contract language, so he took the same offer from Denver, leaving Dallas scrambling to replace him. Overall, this team likely spun its wheels in the mud this offseason while other teams improved, but they are still a good team overall."
Here’s the skinny on the guys from the City of Brotherly Love in midnight green:
"I’m not sure any franchise had a better offseason than the Eagles when all is considered. Trading for A.J. Brown gives them the No. 1 receiver they have been searching for, and it also allows DeVonta Smith to concentrate on doing what he does well as the No. 2. Adding Haason Reddick and Jordan Davis reinforces a defensive front that was eroding from its peak, and grabbing James Bradberry late in the day is a really shrewd signing that could make a real difference. Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean could also prove to be one of the biggest steals of the draft if he’s the same player in the NFL that he was in college."
You have to love it, but with all of that being said, why are the Cowboys ranked ahead of the Birds again? Philly clearly got better while Dallas took a step backward, right? That’s fair to say, correct?
The offseason has been interesting. In addition to what Monson notes, Philly reloaded on both sides of the ball, signing new underrated talents like Jaquiski Tartt and Kyzir White on defense while adding a ton of prospects at wide receiver. Throw Zach Pascal, track star Devon Allen, Josh Hammond, Keric Wheatfall, and undrafted return ace Britain Covey on that list.
It would be wise not to ignore a stellar draft class that includes the aforementioned Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean, but one shouldn’t ignore the selections of Cam Jurgens, Kyron Johnson, and tight end Grant Calcaterra. Philly also might have secured its most talented crop of undrafted free agents ever post-selection meeting.
The reigning NFC East Champions, the Cowboys counterpunched albeit not very powerfully by putting together a questionable draft class: OT Tyler Smith (Tulsa Golden Hurricane), LB Sam Williams (Ole Miss Rebels), WR Jalen Tolbert (South Alabama Jaguars), TE Jake Ferguson (Wisconsin Badgers), OT Matt Waletzko (North Dakota), CB DaRon Bland (Fresno State Bulldogs), LB Damone Clark (LSU Tigers), DT John Ridgeway (Arkansas Razorbacks), and LB Devin Harper (Oklahoma State Cowboys).
It should be noted that Jake Ferguson is a stud, and Damone Clark will be a beast when he finally gets on the field. Ezekiel Elliott is finished though, and we’ve seen time and time again that Dak Prescott alone does not an offense make.
Despite early theories that the Eagles are ready to wrestle NFC East superiority away from the Cowboys, we’re a long way from the regular season. Still, all in all, it’s easy to support theories that, while the Washington Commanders will be better, the New York Giants are a trainwreck.
That makes the NFC East a two-team race in a race the Philadelphia Eagles will win. They should win the NFC East Year and maybe a playoff game. Anything less will be a colossal disappointment.