The NFC East’s run of different champions came to an end last season, as the Philadelphia Eagles became the first team in the division to successfully defend their title since Andy Reid’s Eagles won four straight from 2001-2004.
Jalen Hurts and Co. faced minimal opposition from the rest of the division, as the three other teams failed to reach the playoffs and finished with sub-.500 records.
However, the NFC East should be more competitive this season, as Philadelphia has taken a step back and some of its competitors have done the opposite.
Let’s assess the latest NFC East winner odds to make some division champion predictions.
NFC East Winner Odds 2026
These NFC East betting odds are current as of Tuesday, July 28, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Be careful, as many NFL odds may shift as we get closer to the 2026 NFL season.
- Philadelphia Eagles (+115)
- Dallas Cowboys (+235)
- Washington Commanders (+460)
- New York Giants (+600)
Keep track of pro football futures this offseason with our NFL futures odds comparison tool:
NFC East Standings 2025
Before we dig into my NFC East predictions, here’s how the division played out last season:
- Philadelphia Eagles 11-6
- Dallas Cowboys 7-9-1
- Washington Commanders 5-12
- New York Giants 4-13
NFC East Winner Best Bet
Dallas Cowboys (+235)
Besides Philadelphia, Dallas is the only other team to win the NFC East in the last five seasons, so the Cowboys are an obvious pick at double the odds.
Dak Prescott and the offense were terrific last season, ranking second in the NFL in yards per game (391.9) and seventh in scoring (27.7 points per game), with wide receiver George Pickens giving this passing attack another dimension.
The question is whether the Dallas defense can actually stop anyone. Acquiring defensive tackle Quinnen Williams from the Jets at last season’s trade deadline was a start in the right direction, and the Cowboys have continued to remake this unit this offseason by trading for Rashan Gary and drafting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.
If the Dallas defense can play to a league-average level, the Cowboys should win plenty of football games, so I’m backing them to win the NFC East as my NFL pick of the day.
NFC East Winner Sleeper Pick
Washington Commanders (+460)
It’s easy to forget that the Commanders are just a year removed from a 12-5 season and a trip to the NFC Championship Game.
The 2025 campaign didn’t go quite as well for Washington, mostly because second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels struggled with injuries, playing in just seven games. However, we know how talented the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is, and the types of plays he can make with his arm and legs when healthy.
The Commanders have also made substantial progress in rehabbing a defense that, like Dallas’s, was among the league’s worst last year. Commanders GM Adam Peters has significantly upgraded the front seven, signing pass-rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, adding former Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, and pairing him with former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles.
My only concern here is that Washington’s offense doesn’t have as many weapons as Dallas’s, so the Commanders could struggle if defensive coordinator Daronte Jones doesn’t get his unit playing better quickly.
NFC East Winner By Year
| Year | NFC East Winner | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Dallas Cowboys | 13-3 |
| 2017 | Philadelphia Eagles | 13-3 |
| 2018 | Dallas Cowboys | 10-6 |
| 2019 | Philadelphia Eagles | 9-7 |
| 2020 | Washington Commanders | 7-9 |
| 2021 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-5 |
| 2022 | Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3 |
| 2023 | Dallas Cowboys | 12-5 |
| 2024 | Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3 |
| 2025 | Philadelphia Eagles | 11-6 |
