LAS VEGAS — In need of a face-lift after a season that was worse than u💝gly, the NFC East is not impressing anyone yet. The highest-profile new face in the division is Ryan Fitzpatrick, a 38-year-old journeyman quarterback who’s joining his ninth team in 17 years and seek൲ing his first playoff appearance.
Washington played four quarterbacks last year, won the division with a 7-9 record and is now tu🧸rning to Fitzpatrick, who may or may not have some magic left.
There is no proof that any of the other three teams in the division are in better hands at the quarterback position. The Cowboys’🍬 Dak Prescott is the most talented passer, but he’s recovering from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the preseason. The Giants are still betting big on a Daniel Jones breakthrough, and the Eagles are hoping Jalen ﷽Hurts’ growing pains are not too severe in his second year.
NFC East teams just comp🔯iled a 1-11-1 record in the preseason. Of course it’s only the preseason, and wins and losses are not a defining sign of what’s to come, but what was on display in August is notꦜ meaningless, either.
“It’s hard to draw too many ⭕conclusions, except the NFC Eastꦫ is still more than a bit subpar,” The Gold Sheet handicapper Bruce Marshall said.
BetMGM lists Dallas (+135) as the dౠivision favorite, fol🐲lowed by Washington (+220), the Giants (9/2) and Philadelphia (5/1).
The Cowboys are tagged with the highest win total (9.5) but are fragile🥃 favorites until proven otherwise. Dallas averaged 32.6 points in Prescott’s five starts in 2020 and 21.1 points in the 11 games he missed with a broken ankle. Washington ranked No. 4 in the NFL in scoring defense (20.6 ppg) and again will be led by a dominant front four, yet it’s worth mentioning the NFC Ea🗹st has not had a repeat winner since 2004.
“The whole division did not look good, but I still like Washington with that defense,” Red Rock spor♑tsbook director Chuck Esposito said. “It’s tough to get a gauge on the Cowboys with Prescott not playing in the preseason. I don’t know what you’re going to get when Dak finally gets on the field.”
The Cowboys (0-4) and Giants (0-3) showed nothing in 🐬August. Washington (1-2) and the Eagles (0-2-1) showed only a litt♔le. All four teams are underdogs in Week 1 games.
Is the NFC East still the NFL’s worst division? Ponder that ques♈tion and more as the regular season draws 💧near.
Which team that missed the playoffs last season is most likely to make it this time?
Bet on Bill Belichick and the Patriots, who went 3-0 in August and unveiled a much improved defense. New England is strong on the offensive and defensive lines, and there are more playmakers surrou꧟nding rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
“I think t🅘he 49ers and Patriots are playoff team𒐪s,” Esposito said.
The Patriots, 7-9 last season, are +120 to make the playoffs, accor🌊ding to BetMGM. The 49ers are -200 favoಌrites to reach the postseason after finishing 6-10.
Are the 49ers committed to Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback?
“I think Jimmy G is going to start the season,” Esposito said, “but I could see a quick turnaround where t🥀he 49ers go to Trey Lance sooner rather than later💎.”
Garoppolo is expected to start Week 1, when the 49ers are 7.5-point favorites at Detroit, and it’s a must-win game for the veteran. Kyle Shanahan played Lance, the No. 3-overall pick from North Dakota State, extensively in the preseason, and the San Francisco coach൩ is obviously intrigued by the dual-threat rookie’s higher ceiling.
How soon will the Bears go to rookie Justin Fields?
Chicago’s offensive line is ꦡweak, which means trouble for immobile veteran Andy Dalt💯on. And trouble could come early for the Bears, who open as 7.5-point road underdogs to the Rams. Fields, a first-round pick from Ohio State, is warming up in the bullpen. Either way, bet the Bears to stay Under 7.5 wins.
Will the Buccaneers be even better?
With 22 starters returning and Tom Brady more comfortable in the off🌱ense, why not bet on Tampa Bay to go Over 11.5 wins? Maybe because 44-year-old quarterbacks🐷 are supposed to be either declining or retired. The sharps bet against Brady last year, and how did that turn out? The Bucs went 11-5 and their defense was dominant in a Super Bowl blowout.
Where is there value in Super Bowl futures?
Lo🤡ok beyond the favorites — Chiefs (9/2) and Buccaneers (7/1) — for a long shot. How about the Broncos at 50/1? Denver was a hot ticket early in the summer when it🔯 seemed Aaron Rodgers might be the future. Instead, Teddy Bridgewater won the quarterback job.
“It’s hard to find value in Super Bowl fut🦂ures,” Esposito said. “Denver is a team that seems like it could be a sleeper. Bridgewater had a really good preseason, I lik🐷e their skill-position players on offense, and the defense does look really good.”
The Patriots have some potential a♊t 30/1. A Belichick-Brady showdown in the Super Bowl would be an all-time classic.