NFC East Betting: It's a Two-Team Race Between the Cowboys and Eagles

With the draft completed and training camps a ways away, this is a rare downtime for the NFL, but that doesn't mean we have to take a break from the action.

Via the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, we can dive into the futures market. In addition to having NFL division winner odds, FanDuel Sportsbook also has NFL win total odds and odds to make the NFL playoffs for all 32 teams.

Let's take a look at the NFC East.

Philadelphia Eagles 2023 Outlook

Projected Win Total: 11.5 (-134 on the under)
Odds to Make the Playoffs: -400
Odds to Win the NFC East: -105
Odds to Win the NFC: +330
Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +800 (2nd-best)

The Philadelphia Eagles were one of the elite teams in the NFL a year ago, and everything points to them being a top-notch squad once again.

Led by Jalen Hurts -- who has the fifth-best odds to win the MVP, per the NFL MVP odds at FanDuel Sportsbook -- Philly's offense doesn't have much of a weakness. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert are quality playmakers, and those guys get to show what they can do thanks to the Eagles' stout offensive line, a unit that finished 2022 ranked first, according to PFF. The Eagles lost offensive linemen Andre Dillard and Isaac Seumalo in free agency, but this is a unit that should still be plenty good in 2023.

As good as the Eagles were offensively in 2022, they might have been even better on defense. Philly permitted the fewest yards per play (4.8) as well as the fewest adjusted net yards per pass attempt (4.9). They lost Javon Hargrave, Chauncey Gardner-Johnson and T.J. Edwards in free agency but retained James Bradberry and added Jalen Carter and Nolan Smith in Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

All in all, the Eagles should be a powerhouse team, and they might possess the NFL's best roster. They have the second-best title odds, according to the Super Bowl odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, and are favorites to repeat as NFC champs. However, they're only -105 to win the NFC East due to the presence of this next squad.

Dallas Cowboys 2023 Outlook

Projected Win Total: 9.5 (-158 on the over)
Odds to Make the Playoffs: -210
Odds to Win the NFC East: +175
Odds to Win the NFC: +600
Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +1400 (6th-best)

Going by Super Bowl odds, the Dallas Cowboys and Eagles are the best one-two punch in any division in the NFL as they sit among the six teams with the shortest odds.

The problem for the 'Boys and Eagles -- well, for one of them -- is that whichever of the two doesn't win the NFC East will be forced into an arduous playoff path, one that would likely keep them on the road for the entirety of the postseason. Last year, that was Dallas, and after a road win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card Round, the Cowboys fell at the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round.

Dallas finished two games behind the Eagles last year, but their +125 point differential was only 8 points shy of Philadelphia's and was the league's fifth-best mark.

The Cowboys were 7th defensively in yards per play allowed, and with very little changing on defense for Dallas this offseason, Micah Parsons and company should be really good again in 2023.

They'll need to take a step up on offense to topple the Eagles and win the division. Dallas ranked a middling 15th in yards per play on offense. If the offense can improve -- something the team is hoping it can do by turning over play-calling duties to head coach Mike McCarthy -- Dallas could knock Philly from its perch.

While the Cowboys are a +175 'dog to win the NFC East in 2023, they are -210 to make the postseason and have the sixth-best Super Bowl odds (+1400).

New York Giants 2023 Outlook

Projected Win Total: 7.5 (-114 on the under)
Odds to Make the Playoffs: +160
Odds to Win the NFC East: +700
Odds to Win the NFC: +2200
Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +4500 (20th-best)

The New York Giants surpassed all preseason expectations last year, getting into the playoffs and winning a road postseason game. However you want to slice it, it was a fantastic first year for head coach Brian Daboll.

But there are reasons to be skeptical about Big Blue's chances to repeat their 2022 campaign, and the betting markets reflect that as the Giants are a +160 underdog to return to the playoffs. Despite a 9-7-1 record last year, New York finished with a -6 point differential, just the eighth-best mark in the NFC. They were 22nd in yards per play on offense (5.2) and 24th in yards per play on D (5.6).

The Giants will once again have a tough division to contend with, and they didn't experience too many notable moves -- heading in or out -- in free agency outside of bringing in linebacker Bobby Okereke. New York spent its first-round pick on corner Deonte Banks and selected center John Michael Schmitz in Round 2.

The biggest reasons for optimism include Daboll, who helped Daniel Jones put up career-best numbers in adjusted yards per attempt (6.9), interception rate (1.1%), QBR (60.8) and rushing yards (708). Big Blue likely needs Jones to continue his upward trajectory and take another step forward if they're going to push Dallas and Philly in the NFC East.

Washington Commanders 2023 Outlook

Projected Win Total: 6.5 (-122 on the over)
Odds to Make the Playoffs: +300
Odds to Win the NFC East: +1000
Odds to Win the NFC: +3000
Odds to Win the Super Bowl: +6000 (6th-worst)

The Washington Commanders went 8-8-1 last year and were the only team to win at least eight games and still finish last in their division. Unfortunately for the Commanders, the NFC East probably won't be any easier in 2023.

Defense was the calling card for this squad a year ago. Washington ended the season with the 12th-fewest yards per play allowed (5.2). They retained most of their defensive talent this offseason and spent both of their first two picks in the NFL Draft on defensive backs -- Emmanuel Forbes in Round 1 and Jartavius Martin in the second round -- so they will have a good chance to be a quality unit again this fall.

But the Commanders were pretty bad on offense in 2022, ranking 27th in yards per play (4.9) and 24th in total points scored (321). They'll look different on that side of the ball in 2023.

Washington is handing over the keys to the offense to Sam Howell, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Howell attempted all of 19 passes last year as a rookie, so this is a real leap of faith from the Commanders. If it works out, Howell will give Washington something they've needed for a long time -- a young passer to build around. If it doesn't work out, Washington will likely be picking fairly early in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Something that should aid Howell's chances to succeed is that Washington has some nice weapons in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel. The Commanders also beefed up their offensive line this spring by signing Andrew Wylie and Nick Gates in free-agent moves.

It'll likely be a long year for the Commanders, though, as they have the hardest schedule in the division -- according to win total betting odds -- and own the third-worst odds to make the playoffs (+300) among all NFC teams.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.