ODDS TO WIN THE DIVISION (Bovada sportsbook)
Dallas Cowboys +145
Washington Football Team +240
New York Giants +450
Philadelphia Eagles +550
The 2020 season was really one that the NFC East would like to forget as a whole as they struggled to get teams to the .500 mark before the Washington Football Team finally captured the division with a 7-9 record. The division saw a lot of adversity, headlined by some season ending injuries to some of the league’s biggest stars. Although it’s possible that all four teams may be improved in 2021, this is still potentially the weakest overall division in the league yet again. With that being stated, it should be another competitive run as no team has longer odds than the Eagles +550 to take the title. Can one of these teams take care of business inside of the division which will give them a leg up in a playoff run?
Dallas Cowboys
2020 Record – 6-10
2020 Record Against the Spread – 5-11
It’s probably unfair to really grade head coach Mike McCarthy on his first season in Dallas, based on the unknown of what might have happened had QB Dak Prescott played the entire season. One thing we can surmise for certain is the defense would have been a liability regardless of how many points the offense could put up. The Cowboys put a focus on improving the defense in hopes that the return of some offensive firepower will give them improved balance on both sides of the ball. There are still some big question marks in terms of the health of some core players, but hopes and expectations are high, as per usual, in Dallas heading into the season.
The biggest uncertainty rests at the most important position as Dak Prescott is a little questionable heading into the season. Reports vary on whether or not he’ll be ready to go for the season opener, fighting through multiple injuries. He claims he’ll be starting week one which is critical as the team really doesn’t have a capable stop-gap option even if just for a couple of weeks. Because of the magnitude of Prescott’s condition, it’s been lost a bit that the teams offensive line should be in a much better spot than the patched together unit of a season ago. Left tackle Tyron Smith is still struggling a bit, but overall this unit should be pretty strong. A slimmed down Ezekiel Elliott should return to the form we saw before his line was decimated. The strength of this team is at the wide receiver position as CeeDee Lamb is poised to be an absolute star in the league. With Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, this team should have no problem moving the ball through the air.
Defensively the Cowboys really regressed in 2020 as they weren’t really able to consistently stop the run or the pass. It appears as though it was a combination of players not fitting the scheme, and an overall dropoff of talent at some key positions. The team went heavy in the draft on the defensive side of the ball and are hopeful that first round pick Micah Parsons can be the impact player at linebacker they need. The team needs defensive end Randy Gregory to become a dominant player as a pass rusher, and the defensive tackles are going to have to hold up against the run. The Cowboys are quietly optimistic their young secondary has the ability to be a unit that plays well together, but they’ll have to come together quickly and prove ownership right.
2021 Strength of Schedule – 31st (.452)
Team Win Total Odds – 9.5 Wins (over -130, under +110)
BetCrushers Projected Record – 11-6
With one of the softest schedules, and the return of their QB, the season win total prop seems too low at 9.5 and and we’ve already locked that over in. 11-6 or even better seems very plausible. That’s with a terrible defense. If they can improve even marginally on that side of the ball, they’ll be into double digits. Barring substantial injuries, this team should absolutely be in the hunt for the playoffs.
Possible to Wagers To Play – Against the Spread, Team Totals
For the better part of the past decade the Cowboys have been a team that can get the public destroyed in backing. Last year they finished just 5-11 against the spread. This year could be a different story as despite being slight favorites in the division, they’re actually a little undervalued. Early in the season, particularly at home, look to play them and look to play their team total over.
Fantasy Players To Watch – Ezekiel Elliot (RB), CeeDee Lamb (WR)
Coming off of a season that saw Ezekiel Elliott struggle mightily, he’s definitely a running back flying somewhat under the radar. Ezekiel Elliott is the type of runner that needs help to be productive, but that’s exactly what he should have this year, that he was lacking a year ago. The return of his big offensive tackles, as well as quarterback Dak Prescott should make his life a lot easier. At the receiver position, there’s a little bit of ball-sharing to go around so any of the team’s receivers could have quiet weeks. We’re completely buying into CeeDee Lamb to establish the lead role in this offense and put up numbers of a true number one receiver.
Philadelphia Eagles
2020 Record – 4-11-1
2020 Record Against the Spread – 6-10
The Nick Sirianni era begins in Philadelphia as the Eagles look to improve upon an overall disastrous campaign from a season ago. The Eagles have some volatility as some pundits are high (relatively) on this team, while others are anticipating another poor season in 2021. With a win total set at only 6.5, it’s pretty clear that the oddsmakers aren’t expecting a lot out of this team. This group has the longest odds to win the NFC East, but at +550, they realistically might have the best overall value heading into the year.
The Eagles offense offers up some exciting young talent at the skill positions, including first-round pick Devonta Smith at wide receiver. Speed is plentifully mixed in alongside tight ends Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz who remained with the team despite loud trade rumors. The most important piece of this offense is the re-built offensive line that gets guard Brandon Brooks back and center Jason Kelce returning. There isn’t a lot of depth, but if the O-line can stay healthy this offense has the ability to be sneakily good. Of course all of this is reliant upon how well the play is at the quarterback position. Despite some really encouraging film from Jalen Hurts, it seems as though the organization is not sold on the young QB as the franchise option moving forward. He’s certainly worked hard throughout the offseason and camp earning the trust of his receivers and teammates. Let’s see if Hurts is the answer and can put together the pieces of this offense to take advantage of the fast young talent on the roster.
The defense will once again lean on Fletcher Cox and the D-Line to carry the load both against the run and in the passing game. Bringing in Ryan Kerrigan as a situational player offers them the rotational depth this team has always relied on. In typical Eagle fashion, the team did not invest or put much emphasis on the linebacking corp which could prove problematic in the front four struggle at all. The secondary remains anchored by Darius Slay, Jr., and the addition of Anthony Harris from the Vikings offers some additional toughness. If things fall the right way this defense can be a plus for this team, injuries and linebacking play could certainly pose a challenge however.
2021 Strength of Schedule – 32nd (.430)
Team Win Total Odds – 6.5 Wins (over -130, under +110)
BetCrushers Projected Record – 9-8
The Eagles find themselves in a somewhat perplexing spot as they’ve got some veteran talent mixed with youth and question marks. It’s hard to know if the puzzle pieces will all fit together to make this machine go in the right direction. The BetCrushers are somewhat cautiously “bullish” on this Philadelphia team that seems to be flying a little under the radar. Jalen Hurts is the big question mark, but this team should absolutely be in contention in this NFC East.
Possible to Wagers To Play – Against the Spread
If you believe the Eagles are undervalued heading into the season as we do, there will absolutely be some opportunities to grab points with this team. They have enough veterans to make sure this team stays competitive even in tough matchups. Expect a lot of tight games with this year’s edition of the Eagles.
Fantasy Players To Watch – Devonta Smith (WR)
The Eagles have 6 potential offensive options in Fantasy Football including quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Miles Sanders, wide receiver Jalen Raegor and both starting tight ends. But it’s rookie Devonta Smith that offers the most upside potential of this talented bunch. It’s tough to rely on rookie wide receivers, but Smith is a special talent, despite his thin frame. If he can endure the weekly beatings of the NFL, he’s poised to be a star in the league.
New York Giants
2020 Record – 6-10
2020 Record Against the Spread – 9-7
The New York Giants enter the 2021 season with a lot of optimism under 2nd year head coach Joe Judge, and now third year quarterback Daniel Jones. It’s unlikely the Giants can make a serious run at the postseason, however just as the other three teams in the division, they have a shot at the NFC East crown.
Saquon Barkley returns from injury giving the Giants the big-time playmaking ability at the running back position to head up the offense. The team went heavy at the WR position adding free agents Kenny Golladay and John Ross III to Darius Slayton and Sterling Shephard. They also drafted the elusive Kadarius Toney who along with the previously mentioned quartet gives this team a lot of depth in the wide receiver room. With tight end Evan Engram, there are options galore in the passing game. That leads us to the two keys for the success of this offense, the quarterback position and the offensive line. Make no mistake about it, the Giants have done what they feel they can to set Daniel Jones up for success. On paper, this offense seems like it could really make some things happen. In reality, the BetCrushers aren’t really buying into Daniel Jones as a legitimate franchise quarterback in the league. Couple that with the fact that this offensive line is average at best and it’s hard to see Jones stepping up and this offense being as potent as it may appear.
On the other side of the ball, this team is definitely lead by it’s secondary. The four starters have potential oozing as Adoree Jackson comes over from Tennessee to line up opposite of last year’s sensation James Bradberry. Jabril Peppers and Ryan Logan are a good matching tandem at safety rounding out the group. The front seven was up and down a year ago and returns familiar faces on both the line and at linebacker. Leonard Williams is the dominant force as he stepped his play up and showed what made him a top back of the Jets a few years back. Blake Martinez is a tackle machine, but the problem is he’s often making tackles 6 yards downfield.
2021 Strength of Schedule – 25th (.474)
Team Win Total Odds – 7 Wins (Over -125, under -105)
BetCrushers Projected Record – 7-10
At quick glance it seems like this team should be pretty improved from a year ago. After all, Daniel Jones has another year of experience and the coaching staff has now had some time to gel together with the players. Add in a couple of nice offseason pickups and you might expect a marked improvement. It’s just too tough to get over the fact that this team isn’t great in the trenches and we’re just not sold on Daniel Jones. The books have them around 7 wins, and we have to agree with that assessment.
Possible to Wagers To Play – Against the Spread
It’s tough to imagine this team being much better or worse than what the books are predicting them to be. The lack of surprises should make playing this team for or against the spread pretty do-able depending on their opponents and of course key numbers. If you have a number that lines up the way you need it to, or a feeling in a game it’s probably best to roll with it ATS with or against this bunch.
Fantasy Players To Watch – Saquon Barkley (RB), Evan Engram (TE)
Saquon Barkley is a no-brainer as he’s probably undervalued at this point, but Evan Engram might be the value guy to grab at TE if you aren’t fortunate to land one of the elite tight ends early. Be wary of the wide receivers on this team. Kenny Golladay has the measurables, but it just doesn’t seem like a great fit with he and Daniel Jones. Additionally, with 5 WR options these gang will likely steal targets from each other on any given weekend.
Washington Football Team
2020 Record – 7-9
2020 Record Against the Spread – 9-7
We still don’t have an official name yet for the Washington Football Team, but we do have a new quarterback and a team coming off of a playoff appearance a season ago. For as big of a mess as this organization has been, they seem to have made some nice personnel decisions over the past year and a half. They’re building a deep roster with a lot of “throwback” type players who play hard and compete each game.
Speaking of throwback players we have to start by talking about their new addition in starting quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The team is hopeful the gun-slinging, and scrambling, signal-caller can give the offense the spark it needs to match it’s tough defense. It will absolutely be fun to see how this team does transitioning from the ultimate game manager in Alex Smith, to the loose-playing Fitzpatrick. The offensive line has some question marks as there are some underachieving vets on the roster, and how this unit performs, along with Fitzpatrick, could dictate the type of season they ultimately have. Antonio Gibson should be one of the most consistent runners in the league in his second season, and new additions Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries provide the still underrated Terry McLaurin with some support at receiver. Keep an eye on rookies Dyami Brown and Jaret Patterson, who each could make this roster and flourish if they get an opportunity.
The defense is all about the front-four, which is arguably the top defensive line in the entire league. Chase Young is a man amongst boys and is well on his way to being an All-Pro until the year 2030. The team drafted Jamin Davis out of Kentucky to anchor the linebackers and he should fit in nicely next to the underrated outside tandem of Cole Holcomb and Jon Bostic. The secondary is solid and deep at the safety position, but cornerback is one area to keep an eye on as the depth falls off after starters Kendall Fuller and newcomer William Jackson III. If the defensive line can perform as they did a year ago, it may not matter who’s lining up at the corner position.
2021 Strength of Schedule – 15th (.504)
Team Win Total Odds – 8.5 Wins (over -110, under -110)
BetCrushers Projected Record – 9-8
If you believe in the “defense wins championships” mentality then you’re probably high on the Washington Football Team in this division. Their front four is fierce and their defense is very well coached and plays well as an aggressive unit. That’s the known entity of this football team. What we don’t know yet is how this team’s offense will perform week in and week out. The talent isn’t overwhelming at the skill positions, but it’s not terrible either. Overall, this team should be a tough opponent each weekend, but is probably going to tread somewhere around that mediocre mark.
Possible to Wagers To Play – Teasers
With a stout defense and a feisty quarterback this team should not be getting blown out in many games. If Washington is getting 1.5 points or more, teasing them to get over the key touchdown number will be a strong wager.
Fantasy Players To Watch – Curtis Samuel (WR), Antonio Gibson (RB)
There are actually a few interesting players to keep an eye on for fantasy purposes on this Washington bunch. First and foremost may be quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, although there’s too much uncertainty there for our liking. Antonio Gibson is a talented back entering his second season and could be a breakout performer if this offense can perform consistently. Terry McLaurin is one of the most underrated receivers in the league and should have another strong campaign. The guy we have our eye on is newcomer Curtis Samuel who joins the team from the Carolina Panthers. Samuel proved with the Panthers that he can make big plays as one of the quieter options on his team. He’ll be in a similar situation in Washington and a slinger such as Fitzpatrick should be able to get him the ball in big situations.
