2026 NFC East season preview: Prediction, record, rosters, strengths and weaknesses

The Post’s Jared Schwartz previews the NFC East.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Head coach: Nick Sirianni

2025 record: 11-6

O/U wins: 10.5

Key additions: Rookie WR Makai Lemon, the 20th overall pick, will be needed to replace some of the production at receiver left behind by A.J. Brown. Riq Woolen, a Super Bowl-winning cornerback with the Seahawks, provides the Eagles with a high-quality starter across from Quinyon Mitchell. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion looks to reignite what became a stagnant and dysfunctional unit last year.

Key departures: WR A.J. Brown, OLB Jaelan Phillips, LB Nakobe Dean, S Reed Blankenship

First-and-goal: The Eagles are returning their entire starting offensive line, which has long been one of the best units in the league. A new offensive system is expected to help QB Jalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, WR DeVonta Smith and Co. get back to the type of production they delivered two years ago when they won the Super Bowl. The defense remains elite, with DT Jalen Carter locked into a record-setting new contract.

Fourth-and-long: Can all of the offensive struggles last year be solely blamed on Kevin Patullo, their much-criticized coordinator who was fired after the season? Or are there bigger, underlying issues at play with Hurts and the offense? Though Brown was discontent last year and his moodiness hovered over the season, he recorded over 1,000 yards each of his four seasons with the Eagles. Barkley’s output was down by almost half last year.

Prediction

11-6. The floor for the Eagles remains high and they are still the team to beat in the division, but they don’t return to true contender status.

2. Dallas Cowboys

Head coach: Brian Schottenheimer

2025 record: 7-9-1

O/U wins: 9.5

Key additions: Rookie safety Caleb Downs, taken 11th overall, has already impressed during training camp and the preseason and has superstar potential. Malachi Lawrence, the team’s second first-round pick (No. 23), is an imposing athlete who can be a potential difference-maker as a pass rusher. After his Packers tenure flamed out, Rashan Gary, the once-dominant pass rusher, now provides the Cowboys with depth on this revamped unit.

Key departures: DT Osa Odighizuwa, DT Solomon Thomas

First-and-goal: With QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, WR George Pickens and RB Javonte Williams all back, there is enough firepower for this offense to remain explosive. But the team’s defense surrendered a franchise- and league-worst 511 points last year. The clear focus of the offseason was on that side of the ball — Downs, Lawrence, Gary and OLB Von Miller should all help improve the unit under new DC Christian Parker. OT Broderick Jones adds depth to the offensive line.

Fourth-and-long: It feels like we’re always having the same conversation around the Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones always expects the team to be a contender, but his roster is often below that standard. At the end of the day, is Dak Prescott a championship-caliber quarterback? Is Brian Schottenheimer in the upper echelon of head coaches? And will this defense make the dramatic leap it needs to make?

Prediction

9-8. Defensive improvements make the Cowboys a fringe playoff team, though not much more.

3. New York Giants

Head coach: John Harbaugh

2025 record: 4-13

O/U wins: 7.5

Key additions: A Super Bowl-winning head coach of John Harbaugh’s caliber is why everyone around the team is confident their fortunes can change in a hurry. Rookie linebacker Arvell Reese, taken with the No. 5 pick, looks like he was built in a lab and will slot right into the middle of the defense as a key cog. Tremaine Edmunds is a physically imposing linebacker and he and Reese are supposed to turn a weakness in the middle of the defense into a strength. Francis “Sisi” Mauigoa, the team’s second first-round pick (No. 10), will step right into the right guard spot.

Key departures: DT Dexter Lawrence II, WR Wan’Dale Robinson, CB Cor’Dale Flott, OL Greg Van Roten

First-and-goal: The Giants believe they have their quarterback and head coach set in Jaxson Dart and Harbaugh. Significant capital was spent on improving a defensive unit that cost them wins last year. The pass rushers outside of Brian Burns underwhelmed last year, but Abdul Carter could be on the verge of breaking out into a star, and a better scheme around him can help Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Fourth-and-long: Can Dart stay healthy, or will his injury concerns continue to plague him? And are we so sure he’ll definitely take the Year 2 leap? Malik Nabers’ health is a potential question mark. And though they addressed their run defense, the defensive tackle position remains thin.

Prediction

8-9. Harbaugh restores respectability to the franchise, but they are still a year away from being a playoff team.

4. Washington Commanders

Head coach: Dan Quinn

2025 record: 5-12

O/U wins: 7.5

Key additions: Mercurial receiver Stefon Diggs still has some juice left as a new weapon that Jayden Daniels needs. Signed to a huge four-year, $100 million deal, Odafe Oweh has begun living up to his potential the past two seasons as a pass rusher. Rookie LB Sonny Styles, the No. 7 pick in the draft, is incredibly athletic and had tremendous success in college.

Key departures: LB Bobby Wagner, WR Deebo Samuel, CB Marshon Lattimore

First-and-goal: Jayden Daniels emerged as one of the most exciting young quarterbacks as a rookie and led the Commanders to the NFC Championship game two years ago, but was limited to just seven games last year due to a series of injuries. Now that he is fully healthy, though, the Commanders will go as far as he takes them.

Fourth-and-long: Daniels’ style results in plenty of contact and puts him at constant risk of injury. The weapons around him are not exactly scary. The defense lacks top-level talent. Head coach Dan Quinn will be on the hot seat.

Prediction

7-10. Daniels reestablishes himself as someone to build around, but he cannot carry what is otherwise an underwhelming roster.