Latest news with #NFCEast
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Will the NFC East finally have a repeat division winner?
Knowledgeable Commanders fans know the statistic: It's been since 2004 that an NFC East team has repeated as divisional champion. Yes, it was the Eagles; in fact, it was the last of Philadelphia's four consecutive NFC East titles. Strange as it sounds, it's true, no NFC East team has repeated since. Advertisement Kevin Sheehan of Team 980 discussed the phenomenon on Friday. Sheehan pointed out that four writers covering the four NFC East teams had a dialogue/story this week discussing the NFC East in 2025. John Keim, Washington's ESPN beat reporter, predicted that the Eagles will break the string and win the division. Keim basically said, How can you go against the Eagles after the season they had last year? Keim did point out that the Commanders do have the quarterback to threaten the Eagles, but remaining objective, had to admit what we all know is the major question mark for Washington in 2025. Will their defense make a large enough jump to challenge the Eagles for the division title in 2025? Sheehan cautioned Commanders fans not to overlook the fact that the Cowboys do have good offensive talent in quarterback Dak Prescott, receiver CeeDee Lamb, and, now this offseason, they added receiver George Pickens. The best Cowboy is Micah Parsons, and they drafted a highly regarded pass rusher and signed former Commanders edge rusher Dante Fowler. The Giants will be very strong on the defensive line. Their defense has been good, and they added Abdul Carter (EDGE) in the draft. Can Russell Wilson bring them steady play at quarterback? If Wilson doesn't get the job done, will Jameis Winston prove to be adequate? Or, do the Giants turn to rookie Jaxson Dart? Receiver Malik Nabers (LSU) exhibited enough last season to prove he is the real deal. The Eagles have stud defensive tackles, the best linebacker in the division, the best running back, the best offensive line and perhaps the best duo of wide receivers. They ran the ball down Washington's throat in the NFC Championship game and entirely dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Can the Commanders overtake the Eagles to keep NFC East streak intact
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dallas Cowboys Named Potential Suitor For Ex-Steelers Standout
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. During the offseason, the Dallas Cowboys made a flurry of moves to bolster the cast of offensive weapons around Dak Prescott. With training camp just around the corner, they've been named a possible suitor for a former first-round pick if he were to hit the market. Back in 2021, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted running back Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick. He went on to become a key piece of the franchise, tallying at least 1,000 yards and six touchdowns in each of his first four seasons. However, despite his consistent production, the Steelers decided to let Harris walk in free agency. He'd go on to find a new home in the AFC, inking a one-year deal with the LA Chargers. Following mandatory minicamp earlier this month, the people at Bleacher Report put together a big board of possible trade candidates in the NFL. Seeing that he's on a one-year deal and the Chargers just drafted a RB, Harris' name popped up. As for teams who could make a run at him in the trade market, the Cowboys were among those mentioned. Expert analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown bets for Giants vs. Steelers, including Steelers RB Najee Harris. Expert analysis on the best NFL Anytime Touchdown bets for Giants vs. Steelers, including Steelers RB Najee read: Cowboys Coach Utters Vote of Confidence in Former Pro Bowler "That said, Harris is on a one-year deal and may not be viewed as a long-term piece for L.A. The Chargers also drafted Omarion Hampton with the No. 22 overall pick in April, and the North Carolina product might walk into an every-down role," wrote BR's Kristopher Knox. "Dallas should consider adding Harris as a high-floor option in its backfield." With a gunslinger in Prescott under center, the run game isn't something the Cowboys typically lean on. That said, bringing in a reliable back could give the offense a much-needed dynamic. Being able to establish a ground game might help open up things for Prescott to utilize his new receiver duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Also read: Kevin Durant Utters Bold Statement on Cowboys Star Micah Parsons Trading for Harris isn't exactly a necessity for the Cowboys, as running back is a position they've secured short and long-term options at. In free agency, they landed a pair of veterans in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Dallas also took a flier on two RBs in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. While it might not be a major area of need, monitoring Harris' situation could make sense for the Cowboys as they attempt to compete in a stacked NFC East. For more Dallas Cowboys and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Recent Eagles redraft delivers hype but the wrong outcome
What if we told you a bad Eagles decision led to a chain reaction of necessary events? Things couldn't have been any stranger in 2020. The Philadelphia Eagles entered the NFL Draft on the heels of a 9-7 season. A win-loss total that barely exceeded .500 was good enough to give the Birds the NFC East's crown. Four straight wins had catapulted them into the playoffs, but things ended with a thud during the Wild Card Round. Carson Wentz would be injured early. He left the game with a concussion. A 17-9 loss would follow about three hours later. It was a bitter end to a season that was beginning to feel like Philadelphia had possibly caught fire at the appropriate time. No one knew it then, but that would be the only postseason appearance for the Eagles with Wentz under center. Things only got stranger. COVID-19 turned our world upside down and soon restricted us to our homes. There would be no March Madness. We would, however, enjoy the draft mentioned above, which, by the way, was virtual. The plan seemed obvious. Philadelphia needed to find Carson Wentz a weapon at wide receiver. It seemed easy enough in a selection meeting that was full of them. The stars had aligned. Philadelphia was on the clock with the 21st overall selection. Justin Jefferson was still on the board, but an ugly fact of life is that things don't always work out as we think they should. There isn't an Eagles fan breathing that doesn't know what happened next. The Philadelphia Eagles ignore Justin Jefferson in favor of Jalen Reagor Some call it the greatest draft-day miss in Howie Roseman's career. Philadelphia passed on LSU All-American wide receiver Justin Jefferson, electing instead to go with Jalen Reagor. Some say the deciding factor was that Jalen Reagor gave the Eagles the added dimension of having a special-teams ace. He was billed as someone who wasn't just a receiver but also a punt returner. Others believe wide receivers coach Aaron Moorehead was an unnamed culprit who helped precipitate a bad decision. After all, he and Jalen's father, Montae Reagor, were friends and former teammates. Whatever the reason for the decision, it doesn't rewrite history or change what happened. Jalen landed with the Eagles. The Minnesota Vikings drafted Justin Jefferson one spot later at 22. Reagor's career didn't work out in Philadelphia. Jefferson is still playing in Minneapolis and has grown into one of the best talents in the game at his position. If only there were a machine of some sort that would allow us all to travel back in time, but what if there were? Based on everything that has transpired since the Reagor addition, is it feasible to state maybe it's best to leave things as they are? Some of you are having a hard time with that theory, aren't you? Well, not so fast, as the great Lee Corso would say. Let's reason through this one together. A 2020 draft re-do gives the Eagles Jefferson (But, hold on a second) Since that draft mishap, whether fair or unfair, Eagles fans still think of Reagor every time they think of Jefferson. It's understandable why they would, but here's the most radical theory you'll hear all week. The Jalen Reagor selection set off a satisfying domino effect. Bleacher Report's Matt Holder recently redrafted every NFL team's worst pick of the past five offseasons. You already know where this is headed, right? However, perhaps a redraft isn't the best option. Maybe we should see Reagor as the catalyst for one of the best positional rebuilds in NFL history. Holder is correct in stating, "taking the TCU wide receiver in the first round will go down as one of the biggest draft whiffs in NFL history, considering the player who was drafted right after him." He's also right to point out "Howie Roseman made up for his blunder by drafting DeVonta Smith in 2021 and trading for A.J. Brown in 2022". Here's what he misses. Here's where we connect the dots. Had Philadelphia taken Jefferson, they more than likely wouldn't have drafted DeVonta Smith in Round 1 a year later. They certainly don't trade for A.J. Brown later if they have both of them. Dare we say that the blunder that was Reagor's addition was some weird blessing in disguise? A.J. and DeVonta have morphed into the best one-two punches we have seen in the game at the wide receiver position. Sure, Jefferson is excellent. He always has been, but raise your hand if you're giving away A.J. or DeVonta. That's what we thought. Perhaps we've been looking at this the wrong way. Maybe Howie Roseman is so great at his job that, even when he screws things up, they turn out alright.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
One key observation from Commanders' OTAs: Improvement in the secondary
With the conclusion of OTAs and minicamps, the Washington Commanders are on a break until July 22, when training camp begins. We often don't get to see much of the OTA practices because they are closed, but some media members are in attendance and can keep us abreast of what is happening. Recently, The Athletic wrote one key observation for every team, and the Commanders should be excited. The Commanders' cornerback room has a chance to be much improved. At this time last year, Benjamin St-Juste, Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Michael Davis were the top outside options. All are justifiably gone, but their woes led to shifting rookie Mike Sainristil from the slot to the boundary and making a trade deadline deal for an injured Marshon Lattimore, who proceeded to struggle in the playoffs. Injuries have haunted Lattimore, but he arrived healthy for minicamp following needed rest. If available weekly, the four-time Pro Bowler and second-round rookie Trey Amos have potential as a viable tag-team against the NFC East's star receivers. Ex-Patriot Jonathan Jones brings quality experience to the mix along with Sainristil, who may shift back to his natural inside role after impressing in his first season. — Ben Standig The Commanders' defense as a whole wasn't great in 2024, but the secondary was a major problem. Adam Peters recognized that and made moves to right the situation. Trading for Lattimore in the middle of the season may not have done what they hoped at the time, but he is a capable veteran. The time off to rest and heal did him some good, and he will be ready to hit the field this fall. If Jonathan Jones or Trey Amos can fill in opposite Lattimore, then Joe Whitt will be able to move Mike Sainristil back to the slot where he excels the most. As good as he was on the outside last year, an uncomfortable position for him, imagine what his capabilities will be when he's confident in what he is doing. Commanders fans should feel relieved at hearing this, and even more excited for what the 2025 season is going to bring. With a new regime and correct adjustments being made, this season is going to be just as exciting as 2024.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Predicts 'Nuclear' Giants Defense To Rank Among NFL's Elite
ESPN Predicts 'Nuclear' Giants Defense To Rank Among NFL's Elite originally appeared on Athlon Sports. General manager Joe Schoen has committed ample resources into the defense in an attempt to drag the New York Giants out of the NFC East basement and back to relevancy. Advertisement While those efforts haven't yielded a division title since their last Super Bowl win in 2011, many believe this offseason's moves have has been as productive as any in recent years in making up some ground with their rivals. They remain a long shot to win the division, but the Giants' defense could see some major improvements this season after another productive offseason addressing that side of the ball. ESPN's Mina Kimes has predicted the Giants' defense to rank in the top 10 across the league this season, thanks in large part to their depth up front. 'I chose this team entirely based on the idea that the defensive line can just completely take over games and ruin the lives of quarterbacks,' Kimes said, as the G-men were the final team she named in this projection. Advertisement The headliner of New York's offseason on defense was the organization going back to its old ways and loading up on pass rushers. Joining Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns is the No. 3 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft, Abdul Carter. "It's a nightmare," Kimes said about the ferocious defensive line. She also mentions, however, that other free agency moves should be helpful as well. 'They also added some players in the back end that I think could stabilize things with Javon Holland at safety, [cornerback] Paulson Adebo, [Dru] Phillips is really good. I really like the combination of Javon Holland and Tyler Nubin together, because I think you can have Nuban playing closer to the box where he's better, personally,' Kimes said. Advertisement Even battling injuries last season, the Giants still managed to finish within or near the top 10 in multiple pass rush categories: eighth in sacks, fifth in sack rate, and 13th in pass-rush win rate. The concern arises with the secondary and whether New York can cover receivers long enough for the D-line to rush the quarterback before he lets it go. In takeaways, the Giants were abysmal, finishing with just five interceptions in 2024. Opposing offenses netted 6.5 yards per passing attempt, which was tied for the sixth-most in the league. As Kimes emphasized, the Giants' defensive line is what powers this defense, and as long as the secondary can avoid getting into trouble, they could be in store for a destructive season. 'Every year there's a defense where the pass rush just goes nuclear and I feel like 'why not the Giants?'" Advertisement Related: Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux Included In Trade Rumor As He Sets Major Sack Goals Related: Giants Receive NFL-Worst Ranking in Madden 26 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
