NFL 2025: NFC East Predictions

My 2025-26 NFL Predictions continue with one of the most storied divisions in the league, the NFC East.

The Philadelphia Eagles are Super Bowl champions for the second time in less than ten years, with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and a strong defense leading the NFC East champions to a 14-3 record and a dominant Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Can the Eagles run it back, all the way to another Super Bowl appearance? Or will they fall victim to the infamous Super Bowl hangover?

The Washington Commanders could also fall victim to a hangover: the one that comes after an unexpected widely successful season under a rookie quarterback. Can Jayden Daniels keep it going in Year Two, or will there be growing pains? Deebo Samuel also arrives at the wide receiver position, but possibly at the expense of Terry McLaurin, who has requested a trade.

Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys need a bounce back season after last year’s 7-10 finish, and the New York Giants just need to take a step in the right direction after finishing 3-14 last year and unceremoniously releasing former first round pick Daniel Jones midseason.

How will the division play out in the 2025-26 season? Read on for my 2025-26 NFC East Predictions, and if you’d like to debate or discuss any predictions, join the conversation with @SakSports on Twitter/X, on Facebook, or by commenting directly on this post!

2025-26 NFL Predictions

AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, AFC West

NFC East, NFC North, NFC South, NFC West

1. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)

Last Year’s Prediction: 11-6, 1st Place NFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 14-3, 1st Place NFC East

The Philadelphia Eagles were a dominant force last season, finishing 14-3 in the regular season and rolling straight through to a Super Bowl 59 victory over the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. And the Eagles didn’t just outduel Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, they dominated Kansas City in every facet of the game.

True dual-threat Jalen Hurts at the quarterback position, Saquon Barkley at the running back position, a strong offensive line, and a stellar defense all contributed to making the Eagles perhaps the most well-rounded team in the NFL. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert as pass-catchers is icing on the cake.

A 14-3 record is hard to repeat, and the Eagles face a tough schedule in 2025. But with a winning formula that very few teams were able to overcome in 2024, I have the Eagles earning what could be the NFL’s best overall record in 2025.

2. Washington Commanders (11-6)

Last Year’s Prediction: 4-13, 4th Place NFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 12-5, 2nd Place NFC East

I completely underrated the potential that LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels had to elevate the Washington Commanders in his rookie season. This year, projecting double digit wins and another playoff appearance seems like the minimum for this rising Commanders squad.

I have Washington going 11-6, technically a step back from last season, but with a tough schedule including two matchups with the defending Super Bowl champions, 11-6 is a pretty respectable record.

As of now, the Commanders have both Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel at wide receiver (though McLaurin requested a trade shortly after Samuel’s addition to the roster.) At running back, Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler are a dynamic duo, and veteran Zach Ertz slots in as a reliable tight end.

While successful rookie campaigns can sometimes be a flash in the pan, I think Jayden Daniels and the Commanders will be a force to be reckoned with again in 2025, they just won’t catch as many teams or fans by surprise this season.

3. Dallas Cowboys (9-8)

Last Year’s Prediction: 10-7, 2nd Place NFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 7-10, 3rd Place NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys had a rough 2024, with injuries derailing what felt like a routine run towards at least a wildcard spot for a longtime NFC East contender.

Heading in to 2025, Dallas looks weaker on paper than they did heading in to last Week 1 Opening Day, thanks to some key departures and retirements.

Indeed, expectations for America’s Team are lower than usual, but I still have Dak Prescott and an always prolific Cowboys offense finding a way to will the team to a winning record. CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Jalen Tolbert make up a talented receiving group, but the running game could be an issue with former Denver Bronco Javonte Williams slotting in as the feature back (a role he may not be suited for) and Zach Martin retiring from the offensive line.

Barring major injuries, Dallas should finish in the seven-to-nine win range: pretty middle of the pack. Expect the Cowboys to beat up on the league’s weaker teams, but struggle against the stronger ones, which includes the Commanders and Eagles ahead of them in the NFC East.

4. New York Giants (5-12)

Last Year’s Prediction: 8-9, 3rd Place NFC East

Last Year’s Actual: 3-14, 4th Place NFC East

Just as they’ve been for much of the last decade, the New York Giants are directionless. Former first round picks Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones are both off the roster. The quarterback room is crowded, featuring Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and first round pick Jaxson Dart.

The Giants are starting to build something. Dart was the team’s second first round selection. Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter was their first. Malik Nabers looked incredible in his rookie campaign last season. The defense features studs like linebacker Brian Burns and pass-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.

But New York still has a ton of flaws: running back by committee, for instance, not necessarily by design by from lack of a true number one. New York’s defense also has stars in some spots and holes in others, leading to a spotty experience. The Giants finished 30th in total offense last season and 24th in total defense: they have to get better at everything.

I’ll give the Giants a small bump, from last year’s actual win total of three games to a projected win total of five games this season. Russell Wilson will do some things that Daniel Jones and Tommy DeVito couldn’t do last season, while making less mistakes along the way. But ultimately, it won’t really translate to a winning record, at least not in 2025. If everything breaks right, I see 7-10 as the best-case scenario for the Giants, and if things go like they have since the end of the Eli Manning-Tom Coughlin era, New York could even be looking at the first overall pick next season. As you can see, I have them right in the middle of those two potential realities.

Previous NFC East Predictions

2023, 2022, 2021

Sakmann News, Entertainment and Sports