NFC East 2025 Season Preview – A Data-Driven Look
The NFC East has been volatile the past five seasons, with all four teams showing flashes of brilliance and inconsistency. The Eagles have emerged as the most complete team entering 2025, while the Cowboys and Commanders each face critical turning points. The Giants continue to struggle, and the data suggests they’re heading for a reset.
This preview is based purely on adjusted offense, defense, and power ratings from 2020–2024. These metrics reveal each team’s trajectory and provide insight into what to expect for the 2025 season.
Division Overview (2020–2024)
Philadelphia is trending upward and enters 2025 with the highest rating in the division. Dallas appears to be slipping, while Washington has shown the most dramatic improvement in the last year. New York, however, is stuck in reverse.
Defensive Trends
The Eagles have steadily improved on defense since 2020, culminating in a dominant +5.18 adjusted rating in 2024. Washington made the biggest defensive jump in the NFL last year, improving nearly 10 points from their dreadful 2023. Dallas slipped in 2024 after years of defensive strength, and the Giants remained consistently below average across all five seasons.
Offensive Trends
Philadelphia bounced back in 2024 after dipping in 2023 to become one of the best offenses in the NFL. Washington also became one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses in 2024. Dallas’s offense declined a lot in 2024. The Giants once again finished well below the league average offensively.
Power Ratings
The Eagles lead the division comfortably in overall team rating, while Dallas fell behind in 2024. Washington passed Dallas in 2024 thanks to its offense and resurgent defense. The Giants dropped to the lowest rating of any NFC East team over the past five years.
Team-by-Team Data Analysis
Philadelphia Eagles
Five-Year Offensive Trend: -0.84 → +2.21 → +5.88 → +3.10 → +6.22
Five-Year Defensive Trend: -2.33 → +0.13 → -0.36 → +3.67 → +5.18
2024 Rating: 104.63
Philadelphia is the most well-rounded team in the division. Their offense has been elite for three straight years, and the defense now ranks among the best in the NFL. The data suggests a serious NFC title contender.
Data Outlook for 2025:
Projected record: 13–4
Dallas Cowboys
Five-Year Offensive Trend: +2.41 → +7.08 → +4.89 → +2.10 → +1.21
Five-Year Defensive Trend: +2.27 → +0.45 → +2.76 → +3.07 → -0.88
2024 Rating: 100.56
Dallas was elite in 2021 but has declined each year since. Their offense is still potent but no longer explosive, and the defense dropped off sharply in 2024. Unless things reverse quickly, the Cowboys may struggle to stay in playoff contention.
Data Outlook for 2025:
Projected record: 9–8
Washington Commanders
Five-Year Offensive Trend: -4.48 → -2.60 → -1.82 → -3.06 → -0.48
Five-Year Defensive Trend: -2.29 → -0.42 → -5.56 → -4.58 → +5.08
2024 Rating: 100.15
Washington surged in 2024 thanks to a massive defensive turnaround, jumping over 9 points from 2023 to 2024. The offense remains subpar but improved. If the Commanders can continue on this trajectory, they could become a dark horse contender. A tougher schedule may work against the Commanders record in 2025.
Data Outlook for 2025:
Projected record: 9–8
New York Giants
Five-Year Offensive Trend: -5.03 → -2.00 → -0.41 → -2.00 → -4.85
Five-Year Defensive Trend: -3.28 → -3.34 → +0.10 → +0.40 → -1.18
2024 Rating: 94.13
The Giants haven’t had a winning season since 2016, and the data points to continued struggles. Both sides of the ball are below average, and their rating dropped again in 2024.
Data Outlook for 2025:
Projected record: 5–12
Projected NFC East Standings (2025)
| Team | Offense (Avg) | Defense (Avg) | Rating (2024) | 2025 Projection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | +3.71 | +1.26 | 104.63 | 13–4 (Division) |
| Dallas Cowboys | +3.54 | +1.13 | 100.56 | 9–8 |
| Washington Commanders | -2.09 | -1.15 | 100.15 | 9–8 |
| New York Giants | -2.46 | -1.26 | 94.13 | 5–12 |
Conclusion
The NFC East runs through Philadelphia in 2025. The Eagles’ balanced and elite play makes them the clear favorite and a favorite to make it to the Super Bowl again. Washington should be the second best team in the NFC East, while Dallas seems to be trending downward. New York remains in rebuilding mode, hoping to turn around their long decline.