As we roll through the NFL season previews, we find ourselves landing on the NFC South, which is home to some of the most storied NFL franchises in the league. And coming into this 2025–26 season, there is an argument that it could be one of the most exciting divisions in football.
Now, that is a big statement, but let’s see why I feel that way.
Dallas Cowboys
last Season Summary
America’s Team had a disappointing 7–10 season last year after an injury-plagued campaign to key players, making the whole year an uphill battle. Losing names like Dak Prescott, DeMarcus Lawrence, and Trevon Diggs made it nearly impossible for most teams to make a playoff berth come January.
Outside of the injuries, the severe lack of physicality in the trenches was a main cause of the on-field troubles. That may have been one of the key reasons owner Jerry Jones decided to move on from head coach Mike McCarthy at the end of the season. All in all, due to the step back in momentum and the constant shortcomings of the former regime, it seemed like a reasonable time to make the move to something new.
Key Additions
RB Javonte Williams
WR George Pickens
Edge Dante Fowler Jr.
OG Tyler Booker (R)
Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku (R)
CB Shavon Revel Jr. (R)
RB Jaydon Blue (R)
HC Brian Schottenheimer (Coach)
Key Losses
RB Rico Dowdle
WR Brandin Cooks
OG Zack Martin
Edge Demarcus Lawrence
HC Mike McCarthy (Coach)
Core Players
QB Dak Prescott
WR CeeDee Lamb
WR George Pickens
Edge Micah Parsons
LB DeMarvion Overshown
CB Trevon Diggs
K Brandon Aubrey
Season Preview
Offense: The Cowboys have absolutely no shortage of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but there are still multiple questions lingering over the unit heading into the season. First off, how will Brian Schottenheimer handle the transition from focusing solely on the offense to not only calling plays but also managing the team as a whole?
The second question is how the new-look offensive line will hold up this season. For a group that once featured stalwarts like Tyron Smith and Zack Martin, the Cowboys’ offensive line has undergone a complete overhaul. Now, young and unproven talents like Cooper Beebe, Tyler Guyton, and Tyler Booker are at the heart of the rebuild. The pressure on that unit is massive, especially given the uncertainty at the running back position. They’ll need to have a solid season to take some of the load off a passing attack that could be elite if not constantly keyed in on.
Many people know what Dak Prescott brings to the table, having proven himself as one of the most prolific game managers in the NFL over the past five or six seasons. As long as Prescott can stay healthy and limit the back-breaking mistakes he’s sometimes prone to, he should be able to maximize his aerial options.
Speaking of aerial options, the Cowboys boast one of the scariest 1–2 punches at wide receiver in the NFL. Perennial All-Pro talent CeeDee Lamb will continue to tear apart defenses this season, while the team added one of the most polarizing but talented running mates possible for him in George Pickens. The former Steeler has one of the highest ceilings in the league, though it went untapped in Pittsburgh for a variety of reasons. The Cowboys will hope to fully unlock his potential and take advantage of his 1-on-1 matchups.
Rounding out the group of pass-catchers is dynamic after-the-catch weapon Jalen Tolbert and newly extended tight end Jake Ferguson, who’s more than serviceable at the NFL level and provides a reliable safety valve in the passing game.
Defense: Like the offense, this Cowboys defense has plenty of name value on its side of the ball. New defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, coming off a disappointing tenure as the Bears’ head coach, will look to find his footing in a familiar role while trying to unlock a unit that, for some reason, was one of the worst in football last year.
On the defensive front, he’ll hope that Dante Fowler Jr. can replicate his success after returning from a one-year stint with the Commanders, where he posted 10.5 sacks. Luckily for him, Fowler will be paired with one of the best defensive talents in the NFL. Micah Parsons appears ready to go, continuing to train even through his contract disputes. That speaks to the kind of player and leader he has become in this league.
From there, the Cowboys must improve against the run, which was a major issue last season due to a lack of physicality in the middle of the defense. The hope is that former first-round pick Mazi Smith can take a much-needed step forward, and that his interior partner Osa Odighizuwa, who looks like a budding star, can help solidify that group.
At the second level, the Cowboys will rely on Kenneth Murray Jr. and Marist Liufau to hold things down, with breakout star DeMarvion Overshown still out to start the season following the knee injury he suffered in Week 14 that ended his breakout year. All signs point to the former Longhorn returning at some point this season.
Lastly, on the back end, the Cowboys will hope DaRon Bland can rediscover his playmaking ability after producing zero splash plays last season, despite grabbing nine interceptions in 2023. Fortunately, they also get back Trevon Diggs, who missed most of last season and should be able to take on a big role in helping stabilize a secondary that struggled without him.
Best Future Bet: Cowboys Over 7.5 Wins @ $1.73
Overall, I feel that if the Cowboys are able to stay healthy with their key playmakers and the defensive line plays up to even 70 percent of its potential, they should find themselves in playoff contention, no matter how difficult their division is. Expecting them to notch one more win than last season, especially considering they were without their franchise quarterback for a sizable stretch, feels like a reasonable expectation for Americas Team.
Status: Playoff Hopeful
Philadelphia Eagles
last Season Summary
Last season, the Eagles built one of the most well-rounded rosters in NFL history and created a new blueprint for how teams without a Burrow, Allen, Mahomes, or Jackson can still become Super Bowl contenders. After a rough start to the season, the Eagles ended up going 14-3 behind one of the most dominant offensive lines, running games, and defensive units in recent NFL history. This led to them steamrolling through the playoffs and ultimately winning the Super Bowl against the Chiefs in dominant fashion, essentially replicating the Bucs vs Chiefs Super Bowl from when Brady was still playing.
The season was a huge statement from head coach Nick Sirianni to both his critics and his own fans, many of whom were calling for his job just four weeks into the season. Similarly, Howie Roseman cemented himself as one of the best executives in recent memory with the team he put together.
Key Additions
Edge Azeez Ojulari
Edge Josh Uche
CB Adoree’ Jackson
LB Jihaad Campbell (R)
S Andrew Mukuba (R)
DT Ty Robinson (R)
OC Kevin Patullo (Coach)
Key Losses
RB Kenneth Gainwell
OG Mekhi Becton
Edge Brandon Graham
Edge Josh Sweat
DL Bryce Huff
DL Milton Williams
CB James Bradberry
CB Darius Slay
S C.J. Gardner-Johnson
OC Kellen Moore (Coach)
Core Players
QB Jalen Hurts
WR A.J. Brown
WR DeVonta Smith
RB Saquon Barkley
OT Jordan Mailata
OT Lane Johnson
DL Jalen Carter
LB Zack Baun
CB Quinyon Mitchell
CB Cooper DeJean
Season Preview
Offense: Jalen Hurts is now a Super Bowl–winning quarterback, and no one can take that away from the Eagles’ signal caller. However, that win still doesn’t convince me that he belongs in the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks heading into this season. Fortunately for him, he doesn’t need to be. With the extreme talent around him, all he needs to do is play like a top-10 quarterback again for the Eagles to remain dominant.
The key to the offense is the historically strong running game, led by the best offensive line in the NFL and the league’s top running back, Saquon Barkley. After leaving the Giants for a division rival, Barkley finally finds himself in a system built to maximize his talent. Whether he reaches 2,000 rushing yards again is uncertain, but he will almost certainly be a top-three back in production and continue to contribute in the passing game as a third-down option.
On the offensive line, the Eagles did lose their bulldozing guard Mekhi Becton to the Chargers, but they return four of five starters from last season, which gives them great continuity in the trenches.
Hurts will also have his top four pass catchers back this year. All-Pro A.J. Brown and Pro Bowler DeVonta Smith return to form a dynamic receiving duo. Dallas Goedert has continued to develop into one of the more reliable and productive tight ends in the league. Former Commanders first-round pick Jahan Dotson also stepped up and has quickly become a solid contributor in his new environment.
The biggest question for this offense is whether new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo can replicate the success of the run game that was so dominant under Kellen Moore, who is now the head coach of the Saints. With the talent on hand, he should be able to meet expectations, but it remains something worth watching.
Defense: On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles suffered some major losses after their Super Bowl triumph, parting ways with solid contributors and starters such as Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay Jr., and club legend Brandon Graham. As a result, the Eagles will need to rely on what they do best: promoting from within, especially along the defensive line. That unit will be built around third-year starter Jalen Carter, who has already become a top-three player at his position in the NFL. He will hope that Jordan Davis, Moro Ojomo, and Nolan Smith Jr. can begin to reach their ceilings and provide meaningful support around him.
There is some concern about the unproven nature of the room following those departures, but the ceiling remains sky-high. The combination of traits and upside still makes this one of the most feared defensive fronts in the league heading into the season.
To help up front, the Eagles return last year’s Defensive Player of the Year candidate Zack Baun, who earned a contract extension after his outstanding performance last season. He will be joined by high-pedigree names such as Nakobe Dean, Jeremiah Trotter Jr., and first-round pick Jihaad Campbell, who annoyingly fell into the Eagles’ lap at the back end of the first round.
On the back end, the team lost plenty of experience with both Slay Jr. and James Bradberry moving on. However, the emergence of their first two picks from the 2024 draft, Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, made up for that loss in a big way. Both tore up the league in their rookie seasons and look ready to anchor the secondary for years to come. The ever-reliable Reed Blankenship will also return to bring toughness and veteran leadership to a room that will need it to replicate last year’s success.
Best Future Bet: Saquon Barkley Over 1525.5 Rushing Yards @ $2.00
Saquon is returning after the most successful season of his career and will also have nearly the same offensive line that helped him surpass 2,000 yards last year. Will he reach that feat again? I’m not sure. But if he stays healthy, I think there’s a reasonable chance he clears the mark set for him this season.
Status: Favorites
New York Giants
last Season Summary
The Giants are coming off a disastrous 3–14 season, where the offense, defense, coaching staff, and front office all played key roles in the team’s collapse. On offense, Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito were each trusted with the ball at different points in the season, which, to begin with, is not a great recipe for success.
On the bright side, their first-round pick Malik Nabers exploded onto the NFL scene with 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns, while fellow rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. showed flashes that his position change is starting to pay off. Defensively, there were some moments of promise, but overall the unit would barely earn a passing grade from most NFL experts. Still, heading into 2025, the foundation laid in 2024 should give them an opportunity to grow significantly
Key Additions
QB Russell Wilson
CB Paulson Adebo
S Jevon Holland
Edge Abdul Carter (R)
QB Jaxson Dart (R)
DT Darius Alexander (R)
RB Cam Skattebo (R)
Key Losses
OT Chris Hubbard
Edge Azeez Ojulari
LB Isaiah Simmons
CB Adoree’ Jackson
Core Players
QB Russell Wilson/Jaxson Dart
WR Malik Nabers
TE Theo Johnson
OT Andrew Thomas
DL Dexter Lawrence II
Edge Brian Burns
Edge Abdul Carter
CB Paulson Adebo
S Jevon Holland
Season Preview
Offense: Brian Daboll will lead the offense once again in what could very likely be his final season in charge of the Giants, as his seat is piping hot. To help orchestrate the offense, the Giants brought in Russell Wilson, who was released after one year with the Steelers and landed in New York through free agency. He should provide some veteran leadership and stability while Jaxson Dart, the controversial first-round pick, tries to find his footing in his rookie season.
The same group of receivers will return, with Malik Nabers clearly the top dog among the pass catchers. Quietly, the Giants have built some solid depth behind him with Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton. The concern will be how Wilson meshes with this group, as he has historically preferred having a big X receiver who can work outside the numbers, which none of these players truly are. One huge name to keep an eye on this year is tight end Theo Johnson, who looks like he could grow into a top-10 tight end if Russell Wilson finally becomes willing to target the middle of the field.
In the run game, the offensive line was a major issue last season, generating little to no holes for their backs and finishing in the bottom third of the league in rushing efficiency. The hope is that All-Pro tackle Andrew Thomas can stay healthy and bring some much-needed stability to the unit. Rookie Cam Skattebo could also give the run game a boost with his tough, physical running style. Known for breaking tackles and running with power well above his size, he was a huge part of Arizona State’s surprise College Football Playoff run last year.
Defense: By some metrics, the Giants’ defense was okay last year, but by others, it was one of the worst units in the league. That inconsistency was another reason they ended up with a 3–14 record. This year, for the Giants, everything starts up front. On paper, they have one of the most exciting defensive lines and edge-rushing groups in the NFL.
Once again, All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II will anchor the middle. He’ll be partnered with Rakeem Nuñez-Roches and Senior Bowl standout Darius Alexander, forming a solid interior group. On the edges, the Giants have a three-headed monster led by Brian Burns, the $141 million man. He will likely be paired with this year’s third overall pick, Abdul Carter, who is widely considered the best pass rusher to come out of college in the past few years and is a true athletic freak. Rotating in with those two is former top-10 pick Kayvon Thibodeaux, who hasn’t fully lived up to expectations but is still a capable NFL pass rusher. This front will be the main reason the Giants have a shot at being a solid defensive unit in 2025.
Beyond the line, things get a bit more concerning. Micah McFadden and Bobby Okereke make up a relatively inexperienced linebacker duo, which could lead to mismatches over the middle of the field, especially against tight ends. The secondary also raises some questions. While it lacks top-end talent, there is hope that last year’s rookie duo of Tyler Nubin and Andru Phillips can take a step forward, especially with the help of some veteran additions made in free agency. The key will be whether the front seven can consistently generate pressure to take the burden off the back end.
I’m not saying the Giants’ defense will be world beaters, but it’s definitely a unit to keep an eye on this season.
Best Future Bet: Abdul Carter To Win DROY @ $3.50
I struggled to settle on the Giants’ best bet, but I’ve landed on Abdul Carter to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. As I mentioned earlier, he’s a special talent who should get the opportunity to thrive right out of the gate this season. With the Giants’ offense likely to struggle, there’s a good chance he’ll be on the field a lot, which only increases his chances to produce. His modern skill set makes him one of those edge rushers who can move around the formation and hunt for mismatches, which should lead to strong production throughout the year.
Status: Rebuilding
Washington Commanders
last Season Summary
What a ride last year was for Commanders fans. Just 15 months ago, they held the second overall pick in the NFL Draft and used it to select LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. He entered the league as a rising prospect who had just secured the Heisman Trophy, but the way he adapted to the pros was unbelievable. Finishing 12–5 in his rookie year, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year, and leading the team to a conference final was an incredible achievement in year one.
The offense as a whole was a buzzsaw, ranking fourth in EPA per play and leading the NFL in rushing efficiency by the same metrics.
On the defensive side, things were more middle of the pack. The unit ranked 18th against the run and 16th against the pass, which wasn’t quite good enough but still marked a considerable step forward from being the second-worst defense in 2023. The improvement was meaningful and will need to continue if the team wants to maintain its upward trajectory. The pressure that fell on Daniels late in the season wasn’t ideal, but with continued defensive growth, that burden could lighten.
Key Additions
WR Deebo Samuel
OT Laremy Tunsil
DL Javon Kinlaw
CB Jonathan Jones
OT Josh Conerly Jr. (R)
CB Trey Amos (R)
RB Cam Skattebo (R)
Key Losses
WR Dyami Brown
OT Cornelius Lucas
Edge Dante Fowler Jr.
DL Jonathan Allen
S Jeremy Chinn
Core Players
QB Jayden Daniels
WR Terry McLaurin
WR Deebo Samuel Sr.
OT Laremy Tunsil
DL Daron Payne
LB Frankie Luvu
CB Mike Sainristil
CB Marshon Lattimore
Season Preview
Offense: Things seem pretty straightforward for the Commanders’ offense this season. The expectation is for Jayden Daniels to provide a similar level of play to what he showed as a rookie, if not take a step forward in his second year. He is already considered a top-seven quarterback entering the season, but if he continues to develop, we may see him enter the conversation with names like Mahomes, Burrow, Allen, and Jackson by the time the year ends.
Daniels now has a new weapon in Deebo Samuel, who was traded to the Commanders after being phased out by the 49ers due to his declining athleticism. The hope is that the franchise can also appease Terry McLaurin with a new contract, as he remains the clear number one receiver on the roster if his contract situation is resolved.
One of the most underrated pieces of last season was the veteran presence and steady play of Zach Ertz, who quietly had a solid year and served as a reliable safety blanket for Daniels. He will return in that role once again.
For Commanders fans, the most exciting move this offseason was the acquisition of Laremy Tunsil, who has been one of the league’s better tackles over the past five years. The team also drafted their hopeful long-term bookend in the first round with Josh Conerly Jr. from Oregon. These two additions should help fix the offense’s biggest issue from last season, which was keeping Daniels protected. On paper, these improvements should also help maintain the elite production in the run game, which will be critical for the team’s continued success.
It would be wrong not to mention the running backs, with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler returning as a strong duo. Paired with Jayden Daniels’ legs, this group should once again power one of the most dominant rushing attacks in the NFL.
Defense: Addressing the interior defensive line was clearly a priority for the Commanders’ front office heading into this season. They moved on from longtime stalwart Jonathan Allen, who was part of a disappointing run defense last year. In response, they made several offseason additions, including Sheldon Day, Deatrich Wise, and Javon Kinlaw, all of whom the Commanders hope can bring some fresh energy to the unit. They will also return veteran Daron Payne and second-year lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, who is expected to take another step forward in his development.
On the edge, the team lost their leading sack artist from last season, Dante Fowler Jr., and brought in Hall of Famer Von Miller as a replacement. While Miller is no longer the force he once was, he remains a steady contributor. Still, the lack of high-end edge pressure could be a concern as the defense looks to improve, and they will be counting on someone from within the roster to step up in that area.
What they may lack in edge production, they should partially make up for with Frankie Luvu, who led all off-ball linebackers in sacks last season with eight. He’ll be paired with the ever-reliable Bobby Wagner, and together they should provide the Commanders with a strong and experienced presence in the middle of the defense.
Lastly, the secondary brings some legitimate questions. The safety group is still a work in progress, and it remains to be seen whether Marshon Lattimore can return to even 80 percent of the form that once made him one of the league’s better cover corners during his time with the Saints. The team is also hoping second-year corner Mike Sainristil can continue to progress and establish himself as a reliable, versatile piece in the defensive backfield. While there were a few free agent additions aimed at shoring up the unit, I still have concerns about the secondary and the defense as a whole.
Best Future Bet: Jayden Daniels Under 725.5 Rushing Yards @ $1.87
Daniels obviously cleared this line last year, but I think there’s a real chance the Commanders may look to limit how much he runs this season in order to protect his long-term durability. That could lead to fewer designed runs and more time spent in the pocket as the year progresses. What makes Daniels such a special dual-threat quarterback is that his passing game already looked extremely polished, which means he doesn’t need to rely on his legs. He has the potential to evolve into a true passer first, with his mobility used more as a secondary weapon than a primary tool.