The more things change, the more they stay the same. The NFC East enters the 2026 season looking far different than it did a year ago. The Philadelphia Eagles are defending division champions. The Dallas Cowboys believe they have an offense capable of carrying them back into contention.
Then, there are the New York Giants. They have undergone a dramatic culture shift under John Harbaugh, while the Washington Commanders are trying to rebound from an injury-marred campaign.
Every team in the division can point to reasons for optimism. Some have franchise quarterbacks. Others have upgraded coaching staffs or added veteran talent. Yet when the rosters are stacked side by side, one team still stands above the rest. Here's how the NFC East ranks heading
into Week 1.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles remain the class of the division until someone proves otherwise. They boast arguably the NFC East's deepest roster. There are stars and emerging stars scattered throughout the lineup. Jalen Hurts leads an offense loaded with playmakers, while Vic Fangio's defense features difference-makers at every level.
There are questions at safety, andSean Mannion's new offensive system will be one of the league's most fascinating storylines. Still, no team in the division can match the Eagles' combination of top-end talent, depth, coaching continuity, and championship expectations.
Until proven otherwise, the road to the NFC East title still runs through Philadelphia, but Dallas remains a worthy adversary.
2. Dallas Cowboys
If the Cowboys are going to challenge the Eagles, their offense will lead the charge. Dak Prescott enters the season just six touchdown passes shy of breaking Tony Romo's franchise record of 248. With CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and one of the league's most explosive offenses around him, Prescott has every opportunity to make history while keeping Dallas firmly in the division race.
The concern remains on the other side of the ball. Dallas fielded one of the NFL's worst defenses in 2025, finishing near the bottom of the league in several key categories. Even so, the Cowboys remain a difficult matchup for Philadelphia, particularly at AT&T Stadium. As has often been the case over the last decade, Dallas appears to be the Eagles' biggest obstacle in their pursuit of another division crown. Still, based on the schedules alone,Philadelphia may have the easier ride.
3. New York Giants
The Giants may not be ready to win the NFC East, but they appear much closer to relevance. Hiring John Harbaugh instantly raised expectations around the organization. If his nearly two decades of success with the Ravens are any indication, New York should be tougher, more disciplined, and significantly better prepared on Sundays.
Quarterback Jaxson Dart remains the key to the franchise's future. The young signal-caller has flashed promise, but his long-term success will depend on his ability to stay healthy and avoid unnecessary punishment.
New York also imported several familiar faces from Baltimore, including Isaiah Likely, Jordan Stout, Ar'Darius Washington, Daniel Faalele, and Patrick Ricard. The foundation appears stronger than it was a year ago, though the Giants still seem a season away from seriously threatening the division's top teams.
4. Washington Commanders
The Commanders enter the season with perhaps the widest range of outcomes in the division. Jayden Daniels looked like a future superstar during his rookie campaign before injuries limited him to just seven games in 2025. Washington knows what Daniels can be when healthy. The bigger question is whether the roster around him is good enough.
That uncertainty is what keeps the Commanders at the bottom of these rankings. Daniels gives Washington a chance every week, but the supporting cast still leaves plenty to be desired compared to the other teams in the division.
The Commanders should be competitive, and Daniels alone makes them dangerous. However, until Washington proves it can consistently support its franchise quarterback, the franchise remains stuck looking up at the rest of the NFC East.
Final thoughts
The NFC East appears stronger from top to bottom than it did a year ago, which should make the division race more entertaining throughout the fall. Dallas has the offensive firepower to push Philadelphia. New York finally appears headed in the right direction under Harbaugh. Washington still has a quarterback capable of changing games by himself.
But talent wins in the NFL, and no team in the division can currently match what the Eagles have assembled. The gap may be shrinking, but entering the regular season, Philadelphia remains the team everyone else is chasing. Week 1 approaches. Expect everyone to reassess afterward.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: NFL Power Rankings: Where do Eagles land in NFC East ahead of Week 1
