Experience the Thrill of Sports with Birds Nest 365

The NFC East, often a highly competitive division, is shaping up as we approach the home stretch of the 2024 NFL season. From thrilling wins to devastating defeats, each team has forged a unique path this year. Let's take a look at where each team stands as they eye the playoffs—or the future.

Philadelphia Eagles: Juggernaut?

Riding a 7 game winning streak, the Eagles look to solidify their spot among the NFL elite and legitimize their strong run against one of the NFL's best in a potential Super Bowl preview.

Currently at 9-2, the Eagles are soaring above their NFC East rivals boasting a seven-game winning streak.  A streak that has left defenses wondering  how to penetrate a rejuvenated, youthful defense that currently sits at or near the top of every meaningful defensive metric.  Their offense leads the NFL in every meaningful rushing metric with the otherworldly season Saquan Barkley is producing.

Offensive Outlook:

Saquan Barkley has been everything Eagles fans had hoped for and more.  Barkley currently leads the NFL with 1392 rushing yards at a 6.2 YPC clip.  He is on pace to break Eric Dickerson's all time rushing mark.  The Eagles lead the NFL in rushing yards and attempts this season, making for the most run-oriented offenses of the last 20 years.  After early season struggles turning the ball over, Jalen Hurts has just two turnovers since the 7 game winning streak began on the bye week.  Although his passing numbers haven't set the league on fire, Hurts has put together very efficient performances game after game.  Detractors might say that if the Eagles run game is nullified, they could find themselves handicapped by a quarterback who has struggled to find a rhythm and put the team on his back since the 2022 Super Bowl against the cheaters.  I mean the Swifties.  I mean the Refs.  I mean the Chiefs.  My apologies for that .  Honest Mistake.

Defensive Outlook:

Defensively, the Eagles benefit from two rookies making significant impacts in the secondary.  Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean (since the bye week) have transformed a secondary that was among the worst in the NFL last year.  The secondary, coupled with Jalen Carter's disruptive presence in the middle and a surprisingly dominant linebacker group, have vaulted the Eagles to the top of the standings in most defensive categories. A defense that was historically bad at forcing takeaways (2 in the first six games and none for three straight) has forced 10 in the last 3 games including four forced fumbles against the Rams in week 12.  Vic Fangio has enjoyed a renaissance after a rough year in Miami.  His defense has thrived by confusing quarterbacks pre-snap, stopping the run on early downs with their 5 man defensive line and a sticky secondary that is causing quarterbacks to hold the ball and hit short check-downs.  This is resulting in more sacks and a 32.6% offensive success rate which is good for 3rd in the NFL. 

Regular Season Prediction: 14-3 - NFC second seed

This team should be battling for a first round bye and the number 1 seed.  Detroit looked mortal against an underachieving bears team and could be ripe for a loss or two before season's end.  If the Eagles win out (entirely possible) they should have a first round bye locked-up.  More likely you will see them lose to either the Ravens or Steelers.  The Birds do not have to get on an airplane before the end of the regular season.  

Washington Commanders: Next year's trendiest Super Bowl pick

Despite a 7-5 record, the Commanders have hit a skid with three consecutive losses. Their early promise has met bumps on the road.  It's very difficult to sustain success throughout the long NFL season.  That goes double for teams deploying rookie quarterbacks.  Washington has finally found a good one in Jayden Daniels.  He has single-handedly turned Washington from "perpetual afterthought" to "tough out", on the precipice of "must watch".

Offensive Outlook:

Things are bright.  Led by rookie quarterback Jaden Daniels, the Commanders’ offense ranks 6th in total yards and 5th in scoring. Daniels dazzled early with impressive performances but has recently faced challenges, particularly against Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, which has stalled their momentum.

Defensive Outlook:

A vulnerable secondary has been a thorn for Washington which forced them to sacrifice valuable draft capitol to plug their sieve of a secondary, though they have had a solid pass rush. Defensive consistency is key, ensuring they don't falter during crucial play sequences. Still, with proper adjustments, their playoff prospects are promising.

Prediction: Commanders secure a playoff spot as the 7-seed 

Dallas Cowboys:  Coaching graveyard?

At 5-7, the Cowboys have seen turbulence, yet managed to claw their way to two recent wins, showing sparks of life.  Micah Parsons was recently quoted saying "we're not done yet".  But I beg to differ.  Asking an offense devoid of a running game and lead by Cooper Rush to overcome a putrid defense and a coach that is all but cooked feels insane.  And that makes me happy because the Cowboys are an abomination and I hate them deeply and eternally.

Offensive Outlook:

Without Dak Prescott, the Cowboys’ offensive production has suffered, averaging just 20.7 points per game (21st in the league). Their recent success against the equally inept Giants provides a glimmer of hope for diehard fans.  However, they have problems abound that aren't solved by marginal success against the tanking Giants with quarterback play that would make the Browns cringe.  Booooooo. Booooooooooooooooo

Defensive Outlook:

Defensive woes haunt Dallas, especially against the run, resulting in a leaky defense. Not sure if it's just me but Micah seems like he's dying to get out.  And with massive contracts for Dak and Ceedee, he may have no choice.  His love affair with all things Philadelphia might have a shot at marriage in the near future.  But probably not.

Prediction:  Who cares, they stink and I love it

New York Giants: Dumpster fire turned tankarrific disaster

Suffering through a 2-10 season with a seven-game losing streak, the Giants appear to be gearing up for a future draft, rather than this season’s playoffs.  If they can't land a quarterback in the first round, John Mara might can the entire organization .  After the sting of their gaffe with Saquan, they won't survive the onslaught of anger from their fans if they fail to land a star quarterback early in the draft.  Something tells me they win a couple mnore games to ensure the Sheduer Sanders sweepstakes is won by one of the NFL's other dumpster fires.

Offensive Outlook:

The Giants' offense, plagued by a quarterback carousel, ranks last in scoring with just 15.3 points per game. Fans are already hoping for Sheduer Sanders in the upcoming draft, dreaming of a brighter future—or at least competent quarterback play. Malik Nabers shines as a rare standout amidst the offensive sputtering, but the potential remains unfulfilled in the face of overwhelming inefficiency.  Their running backs have been fine.  But poor Malik might as well have me tossing him the rock.

Defensive Outlook:

Defensive efforts are rendered moot by offensive ineptitude. While not terrible, their defense can’t overcome the Sisyphean task of constantly mitigating the opponent's scoreboards due to offensive stagnation.

Overall Division Outlook:

Eagles in a landslide:

It would take a herculean effort from Washington coupled by a disastrous collapse by the Eagles to have this division turn out any other way.