The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys entered the season with Super Bowl hopes and dreams based on the perceived strengths of their rosters and recent success.
Certainly, both teams would continue to at least run the NFC East. Since 2016, the Eagles and Cowboys have finished first or second in the division every season but one. The Washington Commanders won the NFC East in 2020, the COVID year, with a 7-9 record.
Both head coaches, Nick Sirianni and Mike McCarthy, faced intense scrutiny after playoff missteps. Both teams had to replace iconic offensive linemen in Jason Kelce (Eagles) and Tyron Smith (Cowboys).