Should the Cowboys Be Considered Favorites to Win the NFC East in 2026?
Since the 2000s, the NFL has widely regarded the NFC East as one of its most well-rounded divisions. The NFC East is the only division in the NFL where every team has a Super Bowl ring. In 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles became the first team in over 20 years to win the division in back-to-back seasons. With the Dallas Cowboys preparing for the 2026 season, they look to try to reclaim the NFC East title. With a revamped defense and the possibility of a weaker division, there is optimism about their chances of winning back the division. It may be a tough road ahead for Dallas, but are they considered favorites to win the NFC East?
The state of the NFC East right now looks a bit optimistic in the case of the Cowboys. While the New York Giants appear to have improved under new head coach John Harbaugh and maintain a solid defense, the other two teams in the division remain uncertain. It is difficult to tell what type of team the Washington Commanders will be, as Jayden Daniels had a sophomore slump; the team is super reliant on him being a star. The former Super Bowl Champions in 2024 won plenty of games in 2025, but as the season progressed, locker room chemistry went down, and after Dallas beat them in a late game in Arlington, their season looked bleak despite the playoff berth.
Several factors could work in the Cowboys' favor as they hope to win the division. Dallas easily has the best offense in the entire NFC East, led by Dak Prescott and two elite receivers in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. The aforementioned revamped defense is the key to the Cowboys winning the division. A season ago, Dallas would have had the worst defense in the entire league, and it accounted for several losses on the schedule in games where Dallas's offense was good enough to win the game itself. The big issue for the Cowboys in the 2026 season is their strength of schedule. Dallas will play a total of six playoff teams next year, including hostile road environments like the Baltimore Ravens and the Seattle Seahawks. Taking into account the other teams in the division, the strength of the roster, and the talent of the Cowboys' players, should they be considered the favorites to win the division? The short answer is no, but very close. Respect is still due to the Eagles; however, considering how their season concluded and their current roster losses, Dallas is in a great spot to seize the opportunity and win the NFC East. The year 2026 presents a chance for the Cowboys, but the question that remains is, will they capitalize on the opportunity?
