Why the Cowboys Aren't a Real Threat to Win the NFC East in 2024

Once again, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys are starting an NFL season as the two favorites to win the NFC East. The two teams have won seven of the last eight division titles and look like a great bet to be at the top in the 2024 season. In fact, on FanDuel Sportsbook, the Eagles are +115, while the Cowboys are +130 to win the NFC East.

However, the offseason the Cowboys just had suggests that their odds may be higher than it should be. Dallas lost a ton of veteran talent this winter and will be entering the season with a worse roster than last season unless they see significant improvement from several young players.

The Cowboys finished last season in the top-five on both offense and defense. Dak Prescott had a career season and their offense looked dynamic for long stretches of the year.

However, Dallas' offensive unit is going to look very different next season. They lost Tyron Smith and Tyler Biadasz, two veteran offensive linemen. They are projected to start inexperienced rookie Tyler Guyton at left tackle.

Their running back situation is equally problematic. After losing Tony Pollard, they replaced him by bringing back Ezekiel Elliott, but he is nowhere near the RB1-caliber player he once was.

On the defensive side of the ball, they lost several key players as well. Defensive ends Dorance Armstrong and Dante Fowler followed Dan Quinn to Washington. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore is still unsigned, defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins left in free agency and Leighton Vander Esch retired. The only addition they made to the defensive unit was signing 32-year-old linebacker Erick Kendricks from the Chargers.

Plus, there is so much drama surrounding that team. Their star receiver CeeDee Lamb is amid a contract holdout, Micah Parsons is still waiting for his extension, and Prescott is entering the final year of his deal and the Cowboys seem willing to start the season without giving him what he wants.

Moreover, head coach Mike McCarthy is also on an expiring contract after Jerry Jones refused to sign him to an extension this winter. That situation further creates ample grounds to think that the Cowboys might implode at some point during the season.

The Eagles, on the other hand, improved over the last few months and filled the holes that ailed them during their second-half collapse last season. They should understandably be favored to win the division over Dallas.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.