FRISCO, Texas – The football season is quickly approaching.
The Cowboys are gearing up for training camp in less than a month. This will provide the first close-up view of Brian Schottenheimer’s inaugural season with the revamped roster and coaching staff. As we head to Oxnard, we can start to uncover real insights about the 2025 Cowboys team.
So, what questions remain? Our annual compilation of key inquiries heading into the regular season has been created. Staff writers Patrik Walker, Tommy Yarrish, Nick Eatman, Mickey Spagnola, Kyle Youmans, and Kurt Daniels have contributed to these pressing discussions.
Today, we will continue our series by examining the NFC East, which features last year’s Super Bowl champions along with the other NFC Championship Game participant. How do the Cowboys compare to the Eagles, Commanders, and even the improved Giants?
16) How do the Cowboys Compare in the NFC East
Tommy: It’s clear that Philadelphia remains the top team in the division. Despite losing several players in free agency, they maintained their star roster and excelled in the draft, minimizing any potential drop in performance. I believe the Cowboys will vie with the Commanders for the second place in the division. You might question this, especially considering the Commanders reached the NFC title game last year after the Cowboys finished 7-10. However, remember that Dallas edged out the Commanders in a thrilling match in Week 12 last season and lost in the last week only due to a game-winning touchdown. Against other opponents, the Cowboys performed well defensively, particularly against Jayden Daniels in his rookie season. Whether they can repeat that in 2025 remains to be seen, but they must overcome the Commanders for second place. While the Giants made improvements this offseason, I don’t think they’ve done enough to escape the last spot in the division.
Mickey: Consider this: two seasons ago, the Cowboys finished strong at 12-5, winning the East for the second time in three years, while boasting a 5-1 record in division games. However, last season saw a dip with a 7-10 record due to Dak Prescott’s absence for over nine games. This season should be different, especially with Prescott starting the four games against NFC East opponents, giving the team a better chance. Adding George Pickens and having CeeDee Lamb healthy, along with other key players returning, should improve the team’s performance, especially defensively. Last year, they allowed an alarming 124 points across those four NFC East games.
Kyle: The NFC East is shaping up to be one of the strongest divisions in the league, featuring two teams fresh off NFC Championship appearances and another aiming for double-digit wins. The Cowboys currently trail both Philadelphia and Washington, but they have the potential to close the gap.
All three teams boast franchise quarterbacks, formidable offensive weapons, and impactful defenders throughout. My primary concern lies with depth. Philadelphia demonstrated its depth during its successful championship run, even amidst injuries. Meanwhile, Dallas faced numerous injuries last season, and their depth didn’t match what was needed for sustained success. I believe the Cowboys have strengthened their depth this offseason more adequately than before, which could be pivotal for their performance.
Patrik: On paper, the Cowboys look competitive. However, reality sets in once games commence, and they must avoid stagnation. A strong start is crucial—ideally, winning against both the reigning champion Eagles and the revamped Giants to secure an early lead. As of now, the Eagles remain the standard in the conference and the league, while the Commanders have impressed, making a playoff run last year. The Cowboys, however, did not remain inactive this offseason; they acquired significant talent across their depth chart, highlighted by George Pickens’ trade. Yet, concerns remain, especially in the secondary and linebacker positions due to injuries. While I see their efforts translating well on paper, the true test will come when they hit the field. They certainly possess the talent to make a mark in the NFC East—how prominent that mark will be is still to be determined.
