Dynamic duos of the NFC East

To celebrate the release of Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine, we scoured the multiverse of NFL superheroes and found these dynamic duos of the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys | WR CeeDee Lamb and QB Dak Prescott

With 29,459 yards in eight seasons, Prescott is already the third-leading passer in franchise history and needs just 3,483 yards to overtake Hall of Famer Troy Aikman (32,942) for second place. He finished as the NFL’s third-leading passer last year and led the league with 36 touchdowns.

After posting a career-best 105.9 quarterback rating in 2023, Prescott is poised to have a super 2024, provided his No. 1 receiver sees the field.

A free agent in 2025, Lamb is due for a colossal payday. Not only is he coming off his third-straight 1,000 yard season, he finished last year as the NFL’s second-leading receiver with a career-best 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. But with contract negotiations ongoing, Lamb has been absent from the team’s offseason activities including the start of training camp.

New York Giants | LB Brian Burns and LB Kayvon Thibodeaux

Thibodeaux has five forced fumbles in two NFL seasons. He also led the team with 11.5 sacks last year, more than twice as many as any of his Giants teammates. Only three teams had fewer sacks (34) than New York last year, which is why the team traded for Burns.

New York sent a 2024 second- and 2025 fifth-round pick to the Panthers and swapped fifth-round picks in the 2024 draft in exchange for Burns. The two-time Pro Bowler had 246 tackles, eight forced fumbles and 46 sacks in five years with the Carolina Panthers. 

NFL.com’s Kevin Patra believes the Giants made a “home run” move with their new linebacker. 

“The combination of Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence will put offensive lines in a pickle. Someone could be coming free every snap," Patra said.

Could Gotham’s once mild-mannered pass-rush dominate the NFC East next year? Stay tuned.

Philadelphia Eagles | WR A.J. Brown and WR DeVonta Smith

Only Lamb and Miami’s Tyreek Hill have more yards since Brown joined Philadelphia in 2022. His 1,456 yards were fifth-most among wide receivers in 2023. At 6-foot-1 and 226 pounds, Brown’s super hero physique gives him an advantage over many of the NFL’s top pass-catchers, but not necessarily his Eagles teammate.

Generously listed at six-feet-tall and 170 pounds, Smith may not have Brown’s size, but few play better in big games than Philly’s No. 2 receiver. Smith led all receivers with 148 yards in last year’s NFC wild-card game and did the same against the Chiefs with 100 yards in Super Bowl LVII. Philadelphia lost both contests, but certainly not for a lack of talented wide receivers.

Washington Commanders | RB Austin Ekeler and RB Brian Robinson

With 8,239 total yards and 69 touchdowns as a Charger, Ekeler has a bigger name. But Robinson could actually be the better back. Not only does Pro Football Focus rank Robinson 32 spots ahead of Ekeler, they give him the seventh-best receiving grade of any running back.

Both running backs should see significant work in 2024. Robinson will likely operate as the team’s primary ball-carrier with Ekeler getting more snaps on passing downs. Of course, a dual-threat quarterback like Jayden Daniels could easily outrush both running backs next season, but Washington would rather keep their prized rookie in the pocket and let their running backs carry the load.