Aug 17, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (9) attempts to catch a pass during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

NFC East: 2024 Outlook, Preview, Predictions

NFC East division preview

2024 predicted order of finish, record
Philadelphia Eagles (12-5)
If Saquon Barkley stays healthy, Philly avenges last year’s collapse to extend the trend of a different division winner every year since 2004.

Dallas Cowboys (11-6)
MVP runner-up Dak Prescott and three-time top-3 DPOY finisher Micah Parsons may get their first trophies, but will Jerry Jones ever get his fourth?

Washington Commanders (6-11)
Washington last won a home playoff game on Jan. 8, 2000 — 11 months before the birth of potential franchise savior Jayden Daniels.

New York Giants (4-13)
Coach Brian Daboll looks slim, but so do New York’s odds of winning its first division title since the 2011 squad that won Super Bowl XLVI.

Three MVP candidates
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott
Hard to believe, but America’s Team has never had an MVP QB. Prescott nearly achieved something Troy Aikman, Roger Staubach and Tony Romo never did, placing second to Lamar Jackson in 2023 — 30 years after Emmitt Smith became the Cowboys’ only MVP winner. A fifth season with double-digit wins could push Prescott to the trophy.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts
In 2022, Hurts became the second player in NFL history with 3,500 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air and 12 or more scores on the ground, joining Cam Newton (2011). In 2023, he became the first to do it twice. A third such effort will put the 2022 MVP runner-up in the running to become the first recipient in Philadelphia history.

Cowboys Edge Micah Parsons
Hall of Famers Alan Page (1971) and Lawrence Taylor (1986) are the only defensive players to claim MVP honors. Page was 26 and Taylor was 27 when they won, giving the 25-year-old Parsons — who finished eighth in the voting in 2022 — a chance to become the youngest of his kind if he increases his sack total for a fourth straight campaign.

2024 Breakout players
Eagles WR Johnny Wilson
Is Wilson the second coming of 6-foot-8 Eagles great Harold Carmichael? His work in camp vaulted the skyscraper-sized 2024 sixth-rounder from roster longshot to potential WR3 alongside stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, at least until newly acquired Jahan Dotson gets up to speed.

Eagles DT Milton Williams
Opportunity is banging down the door for Williams, who enters a contract year after the retirement of six-time Pro Bowler Fletcher Cox. He tallied a career-high 25 pressures while playing only 46 percent of the snaps in 2023.

Cowboys WR Jalen Tolbert
Michael Gallup’s exit elevates Tolbert to the No. 3 role in Dallas and fellow wideout Brandin Cooks says he’s ready. “Whatever the expectations are for him out there, I’m telling you he’s gonna crush it,” he told the team website.

Cowboys OLB DeMarvion Overshown
After missing his rookie year with a torn ACL, 2023 third-round pick Overshown is itching to show what he can do in new coordinator Mike Zimmer’s defense. “He jumps off the tape at you,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said.

Giants TE Daniel Bellinger
Darren Waller’s retirement makes the Las Vegas-born Bellinger a safe bet to boost his receiving stats in his third season. The sure-handed, 6-foot-6 tight end caught 87.3 percent of his targets across his first two campaigns.

Giants CB Deonte Banks
Already the second-best corner in the Big Apple behind the Jets’ Sauce Gardner, Banks allowed only 53 catches on 96 targets (55.2 percent) as a rookie while shadowing the likes of CeeDee Lamb, A.J. Brown and Terry McLaurin.

Commanders QB Jayden Daniels
The new Commander-in-chief in Washington, Daniels takes office with lofty expectations as a Heisman winner and No. 2 overall draft pick. Much like Kyler Murray, the dual-threat QB should have fun in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Commanders FS Quan Martin
Used primarily as a slot corner in Ron Rivera’s defense as a 2023 second-round choice, Martin has the size, speed (4.46 in the 40), athleticism (44-inch vertical) and football IQ to make an impact alongside veteran Jeremy Chinn.

Week 1 outlook
Packers vs. Eagles, Friday, 8:15 p.m. ET (Brazil)
Green Bay started 3-6 last season and wound up winning a playoff game at Dallas. Philadelphia started 10-1 and limped into the postseason, only to be trounced in Tampa. Their quest to reach Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans begins in Brazil in the first NFL regular season game in South America. New running backs share the spotlight in Sao Paulo, with three-time 1,000-yard rusher Saquon Barkley joining the Eagles and 2022 rushing king Josh Jacobs now powering the Packers.

Vikings at Giants, 1 p.m. ET
The last time these teams met, New York QB Daniel Jones delivered his only playoff victory to date with a 31-24 wild-card win in Minneapolis on Jan. 15, 2023. Both teams regressed last season, with Jones playing only six games before tearing his ACL and Vikings star Justin Jefferson missing seven games with a hamstring injury. Jones is back for a make-or-break season, while ex-Jets first-rounder Sam Darnold returns to MetLife Stadium as the new QB for Minnesota.

Cowboys at Browns, 4:25 p.m. ET
Three quarterbacks are under the microscope in this game: Dak Prescott of the Cowboys (can he win the big one?), Deshaun Watson of the Browns (can he return to his Pro Bowl form?) and the G.O.A.T. himself, Tom Brady, who is making his much-anticipated FOX broadcasting debut. Home-field advantage could weigh heavily in this early clash of Lombardi Trophy hopefuls. The Browns were 8-1 in the Dawg Pound last season and the Cowboys were 4-5 on the road.

Commanders at Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m. ET
New Washington coach Dan Quinn went 6-4 against the Bucs when he coached in the NFC South with Atlanta from 2015-20. A baptism by fire awaits Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in his debut against a Tampa Bay defense anchored by LB Lavonte David and All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield. Bucs QB Baker Mayfield excelled under former OC Dave Canales (now head coach in Carolina) but has a new play-caller in Sean McVay disciple Liam Coen.

Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) and defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (56) and Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell (14) in action during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Cowboys aim to seal NFC East title vs. Commanders

Eliminated from playoff contention, the Washington Commanders can still deliver a parting gift to an NFC East rival.

Mired in a seven-game losing streak, the Commanders (4-12) welcome the Cowboys (11-5) for the regular-season finale on Sunday, knowing a Washington win could erase Dallas from the top of the division standings and open the passing lane for the Philadelphia Eagles to crash into first.

If the Cowboys win, Dallas would be the NFC East champion and the No. 2 seed in the conference. The Cowboys would head home for a wild-card playoff game at AT&T Stadium, where they are 8-0 this season.

“I like where we’re at,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said. “Obviously we would’ve liked to have won them all this past month, but I think clearly the adversity and the type of games we’ve been in will serve us well moving forward. I think being healthy is the most important statistic going into the playoffs.”

The Cowboys aren’t entirely healthy entering the game with guard Tyler Smith (foot) and nose tackle Johnathan Hankins (knee/ankle) nursing injuries. Hankins could play after missing the past three games, McCarthy said.

One player the Commanders aren’t likely itching to see this week is CeeDee Lamb. The Dallas wide receiver leads the NFL with 122 catches and is second with 1,651 receiving yards, establishing single-season franchise records in each category. Lamb had only four receptions for 53 yards and a TD in the Cowboys’ first matchup with Washington this season.

“He’s really just getting going and I can tell you as long as I’m here, he’ll probably stack these records and each and every year, to be honest with you,” said Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott, the NFL leader in TD passes with 32.

The Cowboys’ 45-10 blowout of the Commanders in November led to the firing of Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio.

Explosive plays have contributed to Washington’s undoing. No team has allowed more 20-yard pass plays, and the Commanders have only two interceptions in the past 10 games.

The Commanders rank last in total defense (385.8 yards per game), 31st in pass defense (259.3 yards per game) and aren’t built for comebacks with an NFL-worst minus-12 turnover margin.

Any traction Washington gains on the defensive side of the ball depends on the availability of interior force Jonathan Allen (knee), but he didn’t practice Wednesday. The two starting cornerbacks are ailing as well, as Kendall Fuller (knee) sat out the Wednesday practice while Benjamin St-Juste (concussion) was limited.

Dallas lost on the road to the Commanders 26-6 in the Week 18 game a year ago in Sam Howell’s first career start. The Washington quarterback went 28 of 44 for 300 yards and an interception in the Thanksgiving Day defeat at Dallas.

On Wednesday, Howell was named Washington’s starter over Jacoby Brissett. Howell started in Week 17 after Brissett was a pulled off the stage and made inactive on the roster pregame due to a hamstring injury. Brissett was limited in Wednesday’s practice.

The game could be curtains for Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, who expected he could be on the chopping block under new ownership with greater expectations for a Washington franchise that last won a playoff game following the 2005 season.

“There’s nothing you can do about what’s going to happen beyond Sunday, so the focus should be on Sunday,” Rivera said.

While the QB pecking order for Week 18 was up to Rivera, new hires for the president or general manager jobs could make their own decisions on the direction at quarterback for 2024. The Commanders enter the season finale in position to draft at No. 2 overall in April.

“Well, I’d like to think we’re in a better place,” Rivera said Tuesday when asked if the franchise is better off than when he was hired Jan. 1, 2020. “Probably a fairer way to say it. I most certainly do appreciate my time here, and we’ll see what happens. And again, we’ll focus on what’s coming first on Sunday, and that’s getting ready for Dallas.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 3, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys  quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates a touchdown with wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (1) against the Carolina Panthers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Looking like contenders, Cowboys host Giants in NFC East clash

Perhaps a year later than expected, the Dallas Cowboys have the look of a true contender in the NFC.

Three straight wins have propelled them to the top of an East Division that doesn’t look a whole lot better than last year, when every team finished with a losing record. However, two of those came against apparent playoff contenders in the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers.

Dallas (3-1) tries to make it four in a row Sunday when it hosts the New York Giants in a division clash. It owns a one-game lead on Washington and is two up on New York and Philadelphia.

It was the two games with the Giants last season that told the tale of a disappointing 6-10 campaign for Dallas. It won the first matchup at home but lost quarterback Dak Prescott for the season with an ugly fractured ankle that day, making a high-powered offense much more ordinary.

The second game went the Giants’ way in Week 17, knocking the Cowboys out for good and resulting in Washington winning the division with a win at Philadelphia. It ignited questions as to whether coach Mike McCarthy was truly the solution on the sideline.

These days, McCarthy appears to have Dallas on the right track, new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn has improved a leaky unit and Prescott hasn’t missed a beat in his return. And with the re-emergence of running back Ezekiel Elliott, who carved up Carolina for 143 yards last week, the Cowboys don’t appear to have many holes.

Elliott’s numbers were modest through three games. But owner Jerry Jones was convinced that Elliott was ready to break out, citing the offseason work he’d put in that dropped 10 pounds off his frame.

“There’s no question that what you put in in spring, what you put in in training camp, that’s what you get out during the season,” Jones said. “He put it in during the offseason and it’s paying dividends for him.”

As for New York (1-3), it earned its first dividend of the season last weekend in New Orleans, where Daniel Jones threw for a career-high 402 yards and Saquon Barkley scored the winning touchdown in a 27-21 overtime decision.

Jones has played much more efficiently so far. A turnover machine at times in his first two years, Jones has tossed only one interception in 144 passes and lost just one fumble after coughing up 17 fumbles in his first 27 games.

“We haven’t won enough games — that’s no secret — the first two years and obviously this season didn’t start how we wanted it to or expected it to,” he said. “Those are storms we’ve all had to weather and we’ve got to continue to progress, continue to improve.”

The Giants certainly look like a different team offensively from the hit-or-miss unit of the last two years. Barkley collected 126 scrimmage yards in New Orleans, while free agent receiver Kenny Golladay enjoyed his best game with the team, grabbing six passes for 116 yards.

To make it two straight wins, New York might need more big plays from a defense that ranks in the league’s bottom half in sacks (tied for 30th) and interceptions (tied for 18th).

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) is congratulated by offensive guard Brandon Scherff (75) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Least of these: WFT, Cowboys fight for first in East

Cynics call it the NFC Least.

But Thursday’s annual Thanksgiving Day game featuring the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Football Team carries a feast of a prize: the winner will own first place in the ragtag division for at least a few days.

Yep, the winner of a game matching two 3-7 teams sits atop this heap of mediocrity. And while a 4-7 first place team might get more than its share of scorn, they’re also in line for a playoff spot with five games remaining.

So for veterans like Washington defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, this is a chance to show younger teammates what it’s like to prepare for – and maybe win – a big game.

“As weird as that is to say at 3-7, we’re still very much in it,” Kerrigan said after practice on Monday. “Hopefully, we can make it happen down the stretch here.”

Washington appears to have a sunny future for the first time in a while.

New coach Ron Rivera can boast of a solid defensive line, one that has shown it can protect a lead. Once Washington took the lead in the third quarter Sunday against Cincinnati, the line notched four sacks in a 20-9 decision.

Washington has found a running game with rookie Antonio Gibson, a wide receiver at Memphis who has a team-high 530 rushing yards. Last week, he went for 94 against Cincinnati, including his eighth touchdown of the year. Terry McLaurin is on a pace for close to 100 catches, and veteran quarterback Alex Smith scored his first win in more than two years on Sunday. In his first 24 games, McLaurin has the numbers of a No. 1 receiver no matter the offense. His 1,790 receiving yards to date are 12th most all-time through 24 games and ahead of the likes of Jerry Rice (1,757).

“If you systematically run the ball and grind the clock and control it, you can control the tempo,” Rivera said. “If you’re shutting down the run and you get pressure on the quarterback, you’re allowing the defensive backs to make plays. There are different ways to win.”

Consistency? McLaurin nails it. He has 11 games with 80-plus receiving yards despite a revolving door at quarterback in his two seasons.

Cornerback play has been a concern for Dallas, and the Cowboys’ pass rush is not exactly consistent.

Dallas erased two fourth-quarter deficits and won 31-28 at Minnesota on Sunday. Andy Dalton’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Dalton Schultz with 1:37 left in the game helped Dallas snap a four-game losing streak.

It was Dalton’s first game since Oct. 25, when Washington linebacker Jon Bostic knocked him out of a 25-3 loss in the third quarter with a late hit to the helmet as Dalton slid to end a scramble. A battle with COVID-19 kept Dalton on the sidelines as Dallas continued to cycle through third and fourth-string quarterbacks with little success.

A Cowboys offense that shriveled up and died when Dak Prescott ended his season with a frightening leg injury in Week 5 finally displayed its trademark balance with almost 400 total yards. Their four touchdowns were twice as many as they produced in the prior four games.

“Everything’s in front of us. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done up to this point,” Dalton said. “It’s all about these next seven games.”

One recurring problem Dallas must confront on a short week is a lack of healthy bodies at cornerback. Starter Anthony Brown (ribs) left Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter, and rookie starter Trevon Diggs (foot) is on injured reserve.

Coach Mike McCarthy said on Monday that Brown would give it a shot at practice on Tuesday, but isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to go. The Cowboys dug deep into their depth chart Sunday to activate Rashard Robinson for his first game of the year in Diggs’ place.

The Cowboys did not practice Tuesday after head strength and conditioning coach Markus Paul was rushed to the hospital suddenly Tuesday morning at the age of 54. Paul’s family said he was undergoing treatment Tuesday morning, denying a report from Sports Illustrated stating Paul had died.

–Field Level Media

NFC East Preseason Grades

DALLAS COWBOYS

Key Acquisitions: WR Allen Hurns, LB Leighton Vander Esch, OT Cameron Fleming, WR Tavon Austin, WR Deonte Thompson, FB Jamize Olawale, DE Kony Ealy, OT/OG Connor Williams, TE Dalton Schultz

Key Losses: TE Jason Witten, WR Dez Bryant, LB Anthony Hitchens, OG Jonathan Cooper, CB Orlando Scandrick, RB Alfred Morris, WR Brice Butler, CB Bene Benwikere, LB Kyle Wilber, DE Benson Mayowa, WR Ryan Switzer, FB Keith Smith

Things are never quiet in Dallas, and while the Cowboys didn’t make many flashy moves this spring, change came suddenly in April when two franchise icons with a combined 14 Pro Bowls left in less than a two-week span. Dez Bryant’s departure (via release) was the Cowboys’ choice, but Jason Witten’s retirement caught more than a few by surprise.

What’s left is an offense that must be driven by Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, though its stellar front five remains a constant. The O-line got reinforcements in Connor Williams — who could start at left guard — and swing tackle Cameron Fleming, before a record-setting extension for Zack Martin. Receiver and tight end remain a concern, however, with a grab bag of unproven or uninspiring options at both spots. Dallas was probably right to drop out of the Sammy Watkins sweepstakes, but where will the explosive pass plays come from?

The defense lost a few rotation pieces, but much of the same group returns for a unit that quietly ranked eighth in yards and 10th in yards per play last season. First-rounder Leighton Vander Esch should contribute early, but his arrival could be a bad sign for Jaylon Smith’s progress or Sean Lee’s longevity. There are concerns up front, too, as Demarcus Lawrence did not receive the multi-year contract he coveted and starting defensive tackles David Irving (suspension) and Maliek Collins (broken foot) could miss time.

Offseason Grade: C

FLM Take: The Cowboys took care of their O-line, but the skill positions took a hit and few upgrades were made elsewhere.

 

NEW YORK GIANTS

Key Acquisitions: RB Saquon Barkley, OT Nate Solder, LB Alec Ogletree, RB Jonathan Stewart, OG Will Hernandez, OG Patrick Omameh, LB Kareem Martin, CB William Gay, WR Cody Latimer, S Michael Thomas, P Riley Dixon, LB Lorenzo Carter, DT B.J. Hill; OLB Connor Barwin

Key Losses: DE Jason Pierre-Paul, OG Justin Pugh, C Weston Richburg, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, WR Brandon Marshall, LB Devon Kennard, LB Jonathan Casillas, CB Ross Cockrell, OG D.J. Fluker, OT Bobby Hart, RB Shane Vereen, WR Dwayne Harris, QB Geno Smith, P Brad Wing

New GM Dave Gettleman certainly doesn’t lack conviction. After concluding that Eli Manning still has a few quality years left, Gettleman went all-in on building the Giants’ offensive line and running game, sparing no expense in the process.

Nate Solder’s record-breaking contract ($15.5 million annually, most in NFL history) is tough to swallow, but if it upgrades both tackle spots — with Ereck Flowers moving to the right side — the Giants’ offense should be much better. Patrick Omameh (signed from the Jaguars) and second-rounder Will Hernandez will boost the interior, which has big shoes to will with Justin Pugh and Weston Richburg out the door. On top of it all, Gettleman bet big on Saquon Barkley while passing on a potential QB of the future. If Odell Beckham Jr. returns to 100 percent, and both sides work out a new long term contract, the pieces for an offensive turnaround are in place.

New York’s defense might need more work. Especially after it traded Jason Pierre-Paul, who had nearly a third of the team’s sacks in 2017. Acquiring Alec Ogletree filled a void in the middle, but pass-rush concerns are warranted, as third-round pick Lorenzo Carter remains very raw as a rusher. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could be missed as well, especially with uncertainty about Eli Apple’s reliability.

Offseason Grade: C+

FLM Take: The Giants’ offense should be in for a significant rebound, and a better running game would take pressure off the defense. Still, Gettleman’s approach felt a bit antiquated, and he could rue passing on Sam Darnold.

 

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Key Acquisitions: DE Michael Bennett, WR Mike Wallace, DT Haloti Ngata, TE Dallas Goedert, TE Richard Rodgers, LB Corey Nelson, WR Markus Wheaton, WR Kamar Aiken, RB Matt Jones

Key Losses: DE Vinny Curry, CB Patrick Robinson, LB Mychal Kendricks, RB LeGarrette Blount, TE Brent Celek, TE Trey Burton, WR Torrey Smith, DT Beau Allen, S Corey Graham, P Donnie Jones; LB Paul Worrilow

Many Super Bowl teams get gutted during the ensuing free agency, but the Eagles weathered the storm pretty well, managing to re-sign linebacker Nigel Bradham while letting several rotation players walk. Perhaps the two most talented departures came via release, as Philly let Vinny Curry and Mychal Kendricks go to save cap space.

While some players walked out the door, GM Howie Roseman wasn’t shy about bringing a few in, restocking a deep defensive line with veterans Michael Bennett (via trade) and Haloti Ngata (free agency). He also replaced Torrey Smith with a cheaper, more versatile deep threat in Mike Wallace, while the duo of Richard Rodgers (free agency) and Dallas Goedert (draft) should offset the losses of Brent Celek and Trey Burton at tight end.

The team navigated its delicate quarterback situation well, extending Nick Foles through 2019 while giving him a nice bonus as thanks for helping the team to a Super Bowl LII title. All signs point to Carson Wentz being cleared from his torn ACL to play in Week 1, which should keep Philadelphia in position to again contend for the Lombardi Trophy.

Outside of Goedert, the Eagles didn’t draft many players who are likely to contribute early, and they were one of only two teams (along with the Titans, who had four) to come away with fewer than six selections.

Offseason Grade: B

FLM Take: Few GMs manage the cap as effectively as Roseman, who did well to keep a Super Bowl-caliber team mostly intact. Here’s a look back at his strategy when taking over for Chip Kelly in 2015.

 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Key Acquisitions: QB Alex Smith, WR Paul Richardson, OLB Pernell McPhee, DT Da’Ron Payne, RB Derrius Guice, CB Orlando Scandrick, QB Kevin Hogan, DT Tim Settle; CB Adonis Alexander

Key Losses: QB Kirk Cousins, CB Kendall Fuller, CB Bashaud Breeland, DE Trent Murphy, C Spencer Long, S DeAngelo Hall, WR Ryan Grant, WR Terrelle Pryor, LB Will Compton, OLB Junior Galette, TE Niles Paul

You can criticize Washington for bungling Kirk Cousins’ contract situation in previous offseasons, but the team did the best it could this spring by landing Alex Smith in the QB carousel. Whether or not the cautious but steady signal-caller will fit perfectly in Jay Gruden’s aggressive offense, Washington was smart to grab a stable chair long before the music stopped.

Other than Smith’s extension (four years, $94 million, $71 million guaranteed) and the signing of wideout Paul Richardson (five years, $45 million), Dan Snyder’s wallet took less of a hit than usual, an approach that should yield compensatory picks for Cousins (third-rounder), Spencer Long (fifth), Ryan Grant (sixth) and Terrelle Pryor (sixth) in 2018. Richardson’s health will be key for a thinned out receiving corps, and 2017 sixth-rounder Chase Roullier must step up to replace Long at the pivot. Getting the dynamic Derrius Guice, who could quickly become an offensive centerpiece, late in Round 2 was a coup.

On defense, rookies Da’Ron Payne and Tim Settle could provide a similar boost to a poor run defense, and talented but injury-prone Pernell McPhee was a great buy-low candidate. The team also re-signed linebacker Zach Brown, but major questions remain at cornerback, where Kendall Fuller (part of the package for Smith) and Bashaud Breeland (unsigned) are gone. 2017 third-rounder Fabian Moreau must step up, especially considering Orlando Scandrick’s decline in recent years.

Offseason Grade: B-

FLM Take: It might not bear out in a tough division, but Washington did well to reload despite losing significant talent.