The major offseason activity is in the books. So, it’s time to check around the sportsbook landscape, shopping for the best team futures. Armed with a wealth of information, now is the time to get some division winner tickets and monitor line movement as the offseason progresses. Attentive bettors usually nab the best odds in these markets months before the season starts.
Let’s begin by looking at the four teams in the NFC East. A few divisions have a commanding betting favorite. Meanwhile, a couple of divisions are three-horse races. As for the NFC East, it’s a two-horse race, according to the betting odds at all sportsbooks.
After perusing the odds at multiple sportsbooks, DraftKings Sportsbook has the most favorable odds for my favorite pick to win the division. However, it pays to look around and get the longest odds if you’re leaning in a different direction for the NFC East winner.
NFC East Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dallas Cowboys | +135 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +165 |
| Washington Commanders | +500 |
| New York Giants | +800 |
Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook as of August 7.
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Dallas Cowboys Odds To Win NFC East: +135
The Cowboys are the favorite to win the NFC East. That’s understandable considering they are the reigning division champion. Additionally, according to Pro-Football-Reference, the Cowboys had the second-best point differential, outscoring their opponents by a whopping 172 points en route to a 12-5 record.
Predictably, other advanced measures ranked the Cowboys favorably in 2021. First, Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave them the highest overall grade, and their run defense was the only area they graded poorly. Second, Football Outsiders (FO) was even more complimentary, ranking them first in total Defense-Adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) and Weighted DVOA.
Unfortunately, they’re not simply running it back this year. They’ll have to account for key losses on the offensive line, such as La’el Collins and Connor Williams. Further, pass-catchers Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson are out of the fold due to trade and leaving in free agency, respectively, saying nothing of Michael Gallup coming off knee surgery. The defense wasn’t untouched, either. Stud edge Randy Gregory signed with the Denver Broncos.
Obviously, they’ve made efforts to patch up the holes on the roster through the NFL Draft and free agency, but they should be projected to slip from their excellent performance last season. They have room to slide and still capture the NFC East crown, but the next team made wholesale improvements that should terrify the Cowboys and their backers.
Philadelphia Eagles Odds To Win NFC East: +165
The Eagles exceeded expectations in a rebuilding year, qualifying for the playoffs. Philadelphia was the only other team in the NFC East with a positive point differential, outscoring their enemies by 59 points, the 13th-highest mark in the NFL. They were also 11th in PFF overall grade, 15th in total DVOA, and 12th in Weighted DVOA.
Their 2021 ranks are good starting points for a team with a third-year quarterback who could — perhaps, should — improve and a roster making moves to take a step forward this year. Most notably, they traded a first-round pick for alpha wideout A.J. Brown (immediately paying him with an extension), giving Jalen Hurts a weapon that should enhance his odds of improvement in his third year.
They also made a few splashes on defense. They added to their pass rush by signing Haason Reddick, bolstered their secondary with cornerback James Bradberry, and added a freakish defensive tackle to stuff the run in the draft, selecting Jordan Davis with the 13th pick.
Again, the Eagles are an ascending team.
Washington Commanders Odds To Win NFC East: +500
Early in the offseason, I threw a small bet down on the Commanders to win the NFC East and another to win the NFC Championship, expecting them to make a move for a quarterback. Technically, they made a move at the position. But, sadly, in the most Washington inept franchise way possible, they traded a third-round pick in this year’s draft and a conditional third in next year’s draft for Carson Wentz, who was a legitimate candidate to get cut by the Indianapolis Colts due to their dissatisfaction with him.
Suffice to say, Washington remains among a handful of teams in contention for most being most incompetently run. The artists formerly known as the Football Team were outscored by 99 points last year. Their promising young defense crumbled, and their offense was stuck in the mud, led by Taylor Heinicke. Washington was 19th in total PFF grade, 22nd in total DVOA, and 23rd in Weighted DVOA. Sure, their defense might rebound, but it’s unlikely Wentz thrusts them into contention for the NFC East. It’s more likely they fall into the basement.
New York Giants Odds To Win NFC East: +800
The Giants wisely pulled the plug on the Joe Judge experience. They rid themselves of an incompetent coaching staff, replacing him with forward-thinking, offensive-minded Brian Daboll. Daboll could not land Buffalo Bills’ quarterback coach and passing-game coordinator Ken Dorsey as his offensive coordinator. Still, he plucked Mike Kafka away from the Kansas City Chiefs to run the offense.
Veteran defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale will hold the same position with the Giants after spending 2018-2021 as the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens. Overall, Big Blue’s coaching staff should be markedly better. Although, it’s always possible that a first-time head coach struggles out of the gate.
Unfortunately, their personnel is still in rebuilding mode, starting with quarterback Daniel Jones, whom they declined the fifth-year option for. In 2021, the Giants had the fourth-worst point differential, getting outscored by 158 points. They were also 30th in PFF overall grade, 31st in total DVOA, and 32nd in Weighted DVOA.
So, they have a huge leap to make to contend for the division. That’s too optimistic an expectation. However, as I alluded to above, they could leapfrog Washington for third in the NFC East, making division finish a wager to keep tabs on. DraftKings Sportsbook presently lists the Giants at +225 to finish third, which isn’t too shabby. Still, they’re not a threat to the NFC East crown.
NFC East Predictions & Best Bet
Best Bet: Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East | +165 at DraftKings Sportsbook
As you’ve probably deduced, the Eagles are the best value pick to win the division. The Cowboys are the rightful favorites, but it should be closer to a pick ’em. While Dallas has to replace integral players on both sides of the ball, the Eagles are ascending with fresh impact resources on offense and defense.
Dak Prescott is the best quarterback in the division, but Hurts is a unique talent who adds value on the ground. If the addition of Brown helps him improve as a passer, the line between the two could blur. That would especially hold true if Prescott isn’t as sharp due to the overturn in his pass-catching corps.
As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles are my favorite bet to win the division.
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Football is back! DraftKings is running an exclusive offer leading up to kickoff.
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This promotion expires on September 19 – so act now!
Tackle this special offer through our exclusive link here.
More Division Odds & Predictions
Check out Josh’s predictions from across the other NFL divisions: