Cowboys Listed as Favorites in Opening NFC East Division Odds for 2021 NFL Season

• Following disappointing 2020 season, Dallas Cowboys open as favorites to win the NFC East in 2021
• Prescott’s status, porous defense remain major concerns for Dallas in bid to win NFL’s weakest division
• We’ve got you covered with all the divisional odds as the NFL enters the offseason

A disappointing 2020 campaign has failed to dampen expectations for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, with America’s Team opening as strong -125 favorites to return to the top of the NFC East standings next season. Here’s a look at some of the factors that are likely to impact the Cowboys’ bid to return to respectability, and how the offseason decisions of their NFC East rivals could impact the NFL divisional odds.

Opening NFC East Odds

Odds taken February 9 at FanDuel

No Prescott, Porous Defense Doomed Cowboys

After going 8-8 in 2019, the Cowboys faced tempered expectations going into this past season. Pegged as +140 second favorites on the opening odds to win the NFC East, Dallas stumbled out of the gate, surrendering 36 points through their first five games. But the exploits of quarterback Dak Prescott helped to mask the deficiencies of a porous defense, lifting the team to a 2-3 start.

The Dallas Cowboys rank 22nd in points scored on offense, 32nd in team defense, are really in the NFC East hunt to host a playoff game pic.twitter.com/5LHUygi1pE

— 🎙 (@theaveragevoter) December 1, 2020

That all changed with Prescott’s season-ending ankle injury in Week 5. Without their superstar quarterback, the Cowboys offense sputtered, topping 20 points just once in the seven games following Prescott’s injuries. And with the Dallas defense continuing to struggle, the team fell to defeat by double-digit margins on five occasions during that dismal 1-6 SU run. Eventually, the Cowboys mounted a late-season rally that proved to be too little, too late, and finished the season near the bottom of the NFL team stats in an array of categories.

Is Prescott Done in Big D?

So, what has changed? Most importantly, Prescott is reportedly on pace to be ready for training camp. The question is, who’s training camp? Now set to become a free agent, Prescott is far from certain to return to Big D after failing to get a contract extension down last year. And as for the defense, it is too early to determine if it will show dramatic improvement next season.

Happy Tuesday.https://t.co/JVPGTropy6 pic.twitter.com/1974zvueP6

— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) February 9, 2021

Playing in the NFC East was a saving grace that kept Dallas in the hunt well into December. However, what we learned from watching the NFC East this season is to expect the unexpected, and never count any team out. That should spur sports bettors to search for betting value further down the NFC East odds.

Eagles at a Crossroads

So, if not the Cowboys, who is the best bet to win the NFC East?

A common theme among NFC East teams this past season was concerns at quarterback. No place was that more evident than in Philadelphia, which opened as +125 chalk to repeat as division champs this past season. Unlike Prescott, Eagles’ pivot Carson Wentz struggled early on, connecting on just four TD passes against seven picks while leading Philly to a middling 1-2-1 start.

Eagles are expected to trade Carson Wentz in the coming days in what would be the latest blockbuster QB deal to rock the NFL, sources tell @mortreport and me. The most pertinent questions now become where, when and for what. But it could happen as early as this week.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2021

Wentz would eventually get the hook in favor of Jalen Hurts and has likely played his last game with the Eagles. But with the Philly receiving corps decimated by injuries for a second straight year, the rookie passer was unable to spark the Eagles, who drop their season off a cliff with a 1-7 finish.

A steady stretch of good health could do wonders for the Eagles’ chances of returning to the top of the division as +260 second favorites. But the jury remains out on Hurts and rookie head coach Nick Sirianni.

Defense Buoys Rising Giants

Despite finishing 1-2 in the division this past season, the New York Giants and Washington Football team once again find themselves at the bottom of the opening divisional odds as +600 co-longshots.

Giants RB Saquon Barkley is scheduled to undergo surgery today in California to repair his torn ACL. It has been 40 days since he first suffered the injury.

The Giants hope/belief is that he will be ready to return in full in time for training camp in July.

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoSNY) October 30, 2020

A +650 bet to win the NFC East entering 2020, the Giants opened on a 1-7 SU run that led most observers to write them off by the end of October. The Giants defense stood tall, allowing just 24.9 points per game during that stretch. But with Saquon Barkley sidelined for the year by injury, QB Daniel Jones floundered in his second NFL campaign.

Of course, Barkley’s return to full health would add an important dynamic to the Giants’ offense, which was lacking this past season. The addition of a legitimate No. 1 receiver would also provide a big assist to Jones as he looks to take the next step.

Can Washington Repeat with Alex Smith?

Sparked by the return of veteran Alex Smith, the Washington Football Team rode a four-game win streak during the second half to the top of the division.

#Washington QB Alex Smith is officially named the 2020 Comeback Player of the Year. The resilience he showed after 17 surgeries and almost losing his leg is inspiring. Went 5-1 as a starter and got Washington into the postseason. A comeback that will never be forgotten.

— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) February 7, 2021

Additional depth to complement Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin would be nice. And while quarterback tops most pundits’ offseason needs list for Washington, the tandem of Smith and backup Kyle Allen could prove to be enough in the underachieving NFC East.

The Pick: Washington Football Team (+600)