Heading into the 2023 NFL season, the NFC East was expected to be one of if not the most competitive divisions in football. Now that the weather is turning and Christmas jingles are being heard during commercial breaks, it’s time to reassess the NFC East Playoff odds.
Last year, three NFC East teams made the playoff and the Eagles were a play away from winning it all. This year? It’s not quite as insane. All of the best online sportsbooks have two contenders and two teams just looking toward the offseason already.
NFC East Playoff Odds Heading Into Week 10
New York Giants (+150000)
One of the biggest flukes of the 2022 season was the New York Giants and their playoff appearance. All offseason, they were marred by Saquon Barkley extension/tag drama. Daniel Jones got paid in March. Feelings about whether or not the contract was deserved is irrelevant, it was massive for a player of Jones’s…ability.
Now that a good chunk of the year is done, the Giants are a mess. Jones is hurt and the Giants are well on their way to picking in the top five in next year’s NFL Draft. This season has not gone according to play for New York and they very well could be looking for a new coach in the offseason. Their division chances are essentially non-existent.
Washington Commanders (+80000)
From one team with higher expectations to another, the Washington Commanders have seemingly been in limbo for years. This year is no different. However, there have been reasons for at least a little optimism.
Sam Howell has looked like a semi-decent starting quarterback thus far. His top receiver is an underrated threat in Terry McLaurin but overall, Washington has been a below-average team who is seemingly stuck between the tanking teams and the contenders. At +80000 in the latest NFC East playoff odds, the Commanders are essentially out of NFC East division contention.
Dallas Cowboys +500
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If there is one team that gets hype upon hype each and every year, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. To be fair to those hype mongers, the Cowboy to have a legitimate team. Dak Prescott is a solid quarterback and he has, arguably, a top 10 receiver in CeeDee Lamb.
The strength of this team is its defense. Further, Micah Parsons is one of the best pass rushers in the NFL and has been able to take over a game when needed. While they are well on their way to a playoff spot, the Cowboys squandered their opportunity against the Eagles to take control of the division. Now, they’re two games back with a head-to-head loss. However, all is not lost. Dallas has a handful of winnable games left with plenty of opportunities to show that they are contenders.
Philadelphia Eagles (-600)
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The preseason favorites are still the favorites in the division and at this point, it’s an overwhelming favorite. As the reigning NFC Champions and at the top of many NFL Power Rankings, it only makes sense. The Philly defense hasn’t been shutdown as expected but the University of Georgia Eagles is making plays when it needs to.
Offensively, the Eagles cannot be stopped. Whether it’s due to the Brotherly Shove or just overwhelming talent, the Eagles have a top-two scoring offense. Plus, if it weren’t for the Dolphins hanging 70, Philly would have the best scoring offense.
It helps that the offense is led by a pair of players who very well should be in the MVP conversation in Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown. Thus far, Brown has been held to fewer than 127 receiving yards three times. As of now, his MVP odds are +13000, good for the second-best odds among receivers and third-best among non-quarterbacks. The Eagles are right at the top in NFC East playoff odds.
