The Dallas Cowboys are going into the 2017 season as one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, and as such, are expected to win the NFC East for a second straight year.
Both the Giants and Eagles made significant improvements this offseason, but ESPN does not think they will overtake the Cowboys. Their analytics department projections has the Cowboys going 10-6 in 2017, with the other three teams in the division going 8-8.
Last year, all four NFC East teams finished in the DVOA top 10, and this again looks like the strongest division in the NFL. Our projections are a little lower for Washington and Philadelphia in 2017, but the entire division still comes out as above-average in mean projected DVOA. The problem isn't just these teams beating up on each other for six games -- the NFC East also draws the two West divisions, which means facing many of the league's top defenses. Right now in the NFC East, it isn't good enough to be good. You need to be great. With an easier schedule, an NFC South or West team doesn't have to play as well as an NFC East team to make the postseason as a wild card.
We still have Dallas repeating as the most likely scenario, although our projections may underrate the importance of their defensive losses because there may be a compound effect from losing so many players at the same position (defensive back). The Giants should be better on offense but may face regression on defense (where they went from 30th in 2015 to second in 2016). Philadelphia was better than its record in 2016 but has dropped slightly since our April forecast, while Washington has moved up a little bit. However, we still have Washington lower than last season, as the Redskins must adapt to a new offensive coordinator and overcome the loss of their top two wide receivers.
Dallas went 3-3 against their divisional opponents next season, and the Giants were the only team that beat the Cowboys twice last season.
Chat Sports projects the Cowboys to do slightly better in 2017 with an 11-5 record, including a 5-1 mark against other NFC East teams.
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