Reporter: Cowboys 'closed gap' on divisional rival this offseason

"Have the Cowboys closed the gap on the Philadelphia Eagles? The answer is yes," wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill Jr.

The Cowboys upgraded their roster after a flurry of moves. They traded for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Plus, they retained Pro Bowl running back Tony Pollard, linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and safety Donovan Wilson.

The Eagles, the 2022 NFC East champions, lost key free agents such as DT Javon Hargrave, Pro Bowl RB Miles Sanders, LB T.J. Edwards and safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who tied the league lead in interceptions last season with six in 12 games.

Philadelphia had a better draft selecting DT Jalen Carter, LB Nolan Smith and CB Kelee Ringo, former members of Georgia's vaunted defense that carried the Bulldogs to consecutive national championships. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. graded the Eagles' draft as an A. He gave Dallas' draft a B.

The Eagles acquired 24-year-old RB D'Andre Swift from Detroit to supplant Sanders.

Philadelphia possibly found viable replacements, so it still has stronger Super Bowl odds. Per OddsChecker, it has the second-best odds, while Dallas has the sixth-best.

Yet some of Philadelphia's success depends upon the development of the defensive rookies.

"And while the Eagles are getting credit for having a young war chest of talent mined from Georgia's back-to-back national championship teams of the past two seasons, it should be noted the NFL ain't college," wrote Hill Jr.

No team has repeated as NFC East champions since 2004. So Dallas could snatch the title away, especially if QB Dak Prescott stays healthy. He has an 8-3 record against Philadelphia.

Regardless, the Cowboys and Eagles are among the NFC's best teams, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see either win the conference.