Eagles prop up NFC East's crumbling status amid ranking freefall

Picture the NFC East as a vintage muscle car—say, a ’78 Trans Am—roaring through the ’80s with nitro-boosted rivalries, Super Bowl shine, and enough swagger to fill a Springsteen anthem. Today? It’s sputtering on I-95, held together by duct tape and nostalgia, with the Eagles gripping the steering wheel like a dad trying to relive his glory days. The division that once birthed “Big Tuna” Parcells and Reggie White’s “Gang Green” now feels more like a garage project missing half its parts.

Baseball’s “Rivalry Weekend” might pack stadiums, but the NFL’s old-school grudge matches—Eagles vs. Cowboys, Giants vs. Commanders—have become predictable reruns. The NFC East hasn’t seen a repeat champ since 2004, a stat as baffling as a Philly fan opting for decaf. Yet here we are.

The Eagles, fresh off hoisting the Lombardi trophy, are once again tasked with propping up a division that’s slipping faster than a rookie quarterback in a snowstorm.

The NFC East’s New Reality

Per Pro Football Focus’ 2025 divisional rankings, the NFC East sits fifth overall—a far cry from its “Murderer’s Row” heyday. With a cumulative over/under win total of 34, the division leans heavily on the Eagles and Commanders. Philadelphia, despite losing defensive stalwarts like Haason Reddick, reloaded via Howie Roseman’s trademark roster wizardry.

It’s essentially his [Jalen Hurts’] offense more than anyone’s,” noted Brandon Lee Gowton, highlighting the QB’s growing command. Meanwhile, Washington’s Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, brings hope, but their 29th-ranked defense remains a liability. Dallas?

The Cowboys’ league-worst run defense (49.3 grade) and Brian Schottenheimer’s play-calling experiment inspire as much confidence as a halftime lead in a Bills playoff game. The Giants’ QB carousel—three candidates, zero answers—mirrors their wobbly O-line. As one may quip, 'The East is a two-team race with three teams stuck in neutral.'

The Eagles’ Burden of Proof

Philly’s offseason moves scream “all-in”: locking down coach Nick Sirianni, extending A.J. Brown, and betting big on Saquon Barkley’s health. But the shadow of Jason Kelce’s retirement looms, both on the field and in the league’s ongoing “tush push” debate. “I’ll come out of retirement today if you tell me, ‘All you gotta do is run 80 tush pushes to play in the NFL.’ I’ll do that gladly. It’ll be the easiest job in the world,” Kelce joked, defending the play’s legacy.

Yet even Kelce’s charm can’t mask the Eagles’ toughest task: carrying a division that’s dragging anchor.

Can the Eagles Break the Curse?

History isn’t on Philly’s side. No NFC East team has repeated since 2004, a streak longer than The Simpsons’ run. But Sirianni’s crew thrives under pressure. “Another part of this mental toughness thing is going through the monotonous things over and over and over again and having the same attitude and effort no matter what the circumstances are,” he stressed after his extension. With Hurts, Barkley, and a retooled defense, the Eagles have the tools.

Yet PFF’s Trevor Sikkema warns, "Washington, meanwhile, struck gold with Jayden Daniels, who earned PFF’s Rookie of the Year honors. The offense looks promising." So, Washington’s rise is real, and this isn’t 2022.

As the 2025 season looms, the Eagles aren’t just chasing another title—they’re fighting to revive a division that’s lost its mojo. Or, as Springsteen once growled, “You can’t start a fire without a spark.” The NFC East’s flicker rests on Philly’s shoulders. Whether they fan it into flames or watch it fizzle will define football’s most storied—and stubborn—division.