Eagles vs the NFC East: Team-by-Team Roster Comparison
Since 2017, the Eagles are a perfect 4-0 against both the Giants and Redskins, but only 1-3 against the Cowboys.
Coming into 2019, the Eagles and the Cowboys have the 6th and 8th best odds to win the Super Bowl respectively, while the Redskins and Giants are tied for the second-to-worst odds. It’s not a surprise that the Eagles and Cowboys are so closely knit compared to the Giants and Redskins, but looking at rosters, the Eagles easily have the best depth chart.
Eagles vs Cowboys
Quarterback: Eagles
As much as this topic has been debated since both players came into the league, Carson Wentz is by far the superior quarterback to Dak Prescott. In the last two seasons, despite playing 8 fewer games, Wentz has averaged 40.1 more yards per game, 0.9 more touchdowns per game, and 0.1 fewer interceptions per game. Now, coming into a season with no injuries to hold him back, Wentz should be able to put this debate to rest.
Running Back: Cowboys
No question here. Ezekiel Elliot is debatably the best running back in the league. However, should he decide to withhold from the Cowboys this season for a new contract, the Eagles take this position. After ranking 28th in the league last in rushing yards, the birds got deep at running back this season, first by trading for former Chicago Bear Jordan Howard, then drafting Miles Sanders in the second round. Additionally, they brought back Darren Sproles, and we all know what he can do in the open field.
Wide Receiver: Eagles
The Cowboys may have Amari Cooper, but the Eagles have three bonafide receivers in Alshon Jeffrey, DeSean Jackson, and Nelson Agholor, as well as a possible stud in rookie JJ Arcega-Whiteside. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranks the Eagles’ receiving corps as number 1 amongst the NFL.
Tight End: Eagles
Jason Witten is coming back out of retirement, but don’t be fooled, he’s nowhere near the player he was a decade ago. The Eagles, on the other hand, have the best tight end tandem in the league. Zach Ertz is coming off of the historic 116-reception season and sophomore Dallas Goedert has the potential to be great if he’s given more opportunity.
Offensive Line: Eagles
This one’s close. Both offensive line’s rank as the best in the league, but the Eagles win this one by a small margin. In 2018, while the Cowboys gave up 56 sacks, the Eagles gave up 40. Of course, we have to take into account the absence of Travis Fredrick, who has been a first-team All-Pro before. However, even with his return, the Eagles have now added first-round pick Andre Dillard to the line, which gives them the edge over Dallas.
Defensive Line: Eagles
An already stacked defensive line, the Eagles added former pro-bowler Malik Jackson this past offseason. In addition, they brought back Vinny Curry who left after the 2017 season. The Cowboys do have a good defensive line, but the Eagles just have more firepower and depth at this position.
Linebacker: Cowboys
If the Eagles have a weakness on their team, its their linebacker core. Even by bringing in Zach Brown, it still remains a shortcoming, and now Kamu Grugier-Hill is set to miss multiple weeks with an MCL injury. On the contrary, linebacker is one of the Cowboys’ strongest positions. Leighton Vander-Esch had a phenomenal rookie season, and when on the field, Sean Lee is an elite playmaker. Additionally, they have a solid middle linebacker in Jaylon Smith who was just recently extended.
Cornerback: Cowboys
The Eagles have good depth at this position, but the Cowboys overall, have the better corners. Byron Jones was selected to his first pro bowl and second-team All-Pro this season, and both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis have done well in the secondary. The Eagles have young corners with potential that is sky-high, but they are unproven. Both Rasul Douglas and Avonte Maddox have shown flashes of being lockdown corners, but they’ve had their fair share of blown coverages. Sidney Jones came into the league injured and hasn’t recovered since, but if he can get back to what NFL scouts saw in him, he will be elite. The only true number one corner on the team currently is Ronald Darby, but his health has held him off the field for over half of his time in Philadelphia.
Safety: Eagles
Already with 3-time pro bowler Malcolm Jenkins as well as Rodney McLeod, the Eagles added Andrew Sendejo this past offseason. Blount may have bulldozed him on his way to the end zone in the 2018 NFC Championship game, but he’s a lot better than that one play. On the other hand, the Cowboys don’t have too much going on at the safety position, other than Xavier Woods.
Eagles 6 – Cowboys 3
Eagles vs Giants
Quarterback: Eagles
Eli Manning’s last good season came in 2015. Now he just lost his best receiver. I think it’s safe to say the Eagles win this position by a mile. Daniel Jones might not be as bad as people make him out to be, but he’s still got a long way to go.
Running Back: Giants
The Giants have needs at just about every single position; running back is not one of them. Saquon Barkley will be a nightmare for the Eagles for years to come. In his two games against the Birds last year, Barkley totaled 371 yards from scrimmage and 3 touchdowns. Fortunately, there aren’t too many great things going on with the Giants outside of him.
Wide Reciever: Eagles
What was once comprised of Odell Beckham Jr, Sterling Shepard, and Brandon Marshall, the Giants’ receiving corps now consists of Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard, and Cody Latimer. Note that Golden Tate is set to miss the first four games due to a PED suspension, so Bennie Fowler will replace him for the time being. It doesn’t matter either way, because it doesn’t compare to the arsenal of recievers on the Eagles.
Tight End: Eagles
Evan Engram will be elite at some point, but he’s still hasn’t broken out yet. Zach Ertz went through the same cycle early in his career. He never got any real attention until the 2017 season, when he turned into a “security blanket” for Carson Wentz and became one of the league’s best tight ends.
Offensive Line: Eagles
The Giants have had a revolving door as their offensive line for a few years now. On the contrary, the Eagles have built a fortified fence to protect Carson Wentz. If you couldn’t tell already, the Giants don’t have much of anything on offense outside of Saquon.
Defensive Line: Eagles
When Damon Harrison got traded last year, the Giants defensive line went from bad to a nightmare. Sure they picked up Dexter Lawrence in the draft this year, but they missed out big time on Josh Allen when they decided to draft Daniel Jones over him. The Eagles d-line doesn’t need much introduction, so it should be pretty obvious why they win this position.
Linebacker: Eagles
You know it’s bad when the Eagles have better linebackers than you. Alex Ogletree is decent but nothing special. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no one special on the Eagles’ linebacker core, but they all seem to like it compared to what the Giants have.
Cornerback: Eagles
Trading Eli Apple was definitely addition by subtraction for the Giants, but it certainly did not do any wonders to their brutal secondary. Janoris “Jack rabbit” Jenkins will be their number one corner but expect 1st round pick Deandre Baker to be in the mix of it as well. Since the Eagles have better depth, they get the win here.
Safety: Eagles
Losing Landon Collins this past offseason was tough for the Giants. He’s made every pro bowl since 2016 and was the defensive captain. They were able to replace him with Jabrill Peppers through the Odell Beckham trade, but it’s still a downgrade. Two seasoned veterans and plenty of depth give the Eagles one last win here.
Eagles 8 – Giants 1
Eagles vs Redskins
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Quarterback: Eagles
When Case Keenum left the field against the Eagles in January of 2018, his Super Bowl dreams were crushed in a 38-7 beatdown. He comes back with a division rival this time, but expect a similar result. Fortunately for Dwyane Haskins, the Redskins decided to spare him from the Eagles pass rush by putting him on the bench to start the season.
Running Back: Eagles
I see a lot of similarities between these two running back cores. Neither has a superstar back, but both have a solid depth chart. For the Redskins its Guice, Peterson, and Thompson along with Bryce Love waiting in the wing. For the Eagles its Howard, Sanders, and Clement. However, with Guice coming back from an ACL injury and Thompson constantly being hurt, I’m taking the Eagles here.
Wide Reciever: Eagles
Who do the Redskins even have at receiver? Josh Doctson is going to be cut, if not trade, so that leaves Trey Quinn, Josh Docston, and a few other no-namers. Yikes. Not too much of a battle here.
Tight End: Eagles
Jordan Reed was once had a 952 yard – 11 touchdown season before injuries hit and took a toll on his career. He’s never played a full season in his career, and at this point, I’d take Dallas Goedert over him.
Offensive Line: Eagles
Trent Williams is arguably the best-left tackle in the game, but in typical Redskins fashion, Williams won’t be playing anytime soon with his holdout still going on. They’re now starting Donald Penn in place of Williams and Ereck Flowers at left guard. Yes, the same Ereck Flowers that’s given up an average of 53 pressures and 38 hurries on average per season. Good luck to Keenum week 1.
Defensive Line: Eagles
This isn’t a bad a defensive line for the Redskins; in fact, a lot of potential here. Jonathan Allen had an amazing 8-sack season last year and Daron Payne had 5 sacks himself. Now they’ve added 1st round pick Montez Sweat to the rotation. They all still need development, but this could be a deadly line in a few years. Right now though, it’s not up to par with the Eagles.
Linebacker: Redskins
Ryan Kerrigan has been an elite linebacker in the league for a while now. Remember when he tore Wentz’s jersey in 2016? He’s an absolute force that’s tough to guard, even for the best in the league.
Cornerback: Redskins
The trio of Quinton Dunbar, Josh Norman, and Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie forms a solid secondary, strong enough to win this position battle. However, this is subject to change over the course of the season if the Eagles’ young corners can develop far enough.
Safety: Eagles
I like Landon Collins, but the Skins don’t have anyone else besides him. A bunch of big names amongst Eagles safeties, of course, so I’ll give them the win here.
Eagles 7 – Redskins 2
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