The Dallas Cowboys, as we turn for training camp, are the third-best team in the division, behind the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
Well, that's what we're told, anyway.
But most know that a healthy Dak Prescott usually does quite well in the division and often wins it; however, we can't exactly rely on Dak staying out of the treatment room anymore, can we?
Still, the Cowboys have enough weapons, at least offensively, to compete with the conference's best, and defensively, who knows what the unit could be under Matt Eberflus.
But for ESPN's New York Giants reporter Jordan Raanan, when asked to give his winner for the NFC East, he bucked the trend and picked Brian Schottenheimer's Cowboys.
"Let's get a bit crazy here because that's the recent history of the NFC East," Rannan writes. "No, not the Giants. That gap is massive.
"But since everyone is down on the Cowboys this season, it only makes sense they surprise and win the division. There is still some high-end talent on that roster and Dallas was good for at least 12 wins each of the previous three years that Prescott played double-digit games. So this is largely contingent on him being healthy. But to count the Cowboys out with Prescott potentially having the best weapons of his career seems silly. They will surprise."
Dak Prescott (4) and Brian Schottenheimer
Dak Prescott (4) and Brian Schottenheimer
Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
The talent is there, the vibes are there, and there is a renewed sense of hope with this team in 2025.
Of course, everyone thinks their team can win the Super Bowl in June, but Rannan isn't the first to suggest Dallas might surprise.
Let's not forget, they still won seven games without nearly all of their best players missing large chunks of the season. Dak, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, DeMarcus Lawrence, Jake Ferguson, Zack Martin, Brandin Cooks, CeeDee Lamb, and DeMarvion Overshown all saw significant time on the sidelines.
That is quite the list.
Having Dak and Micah back, a fully healthy Lamb, plus the offseason additions and draft class, we can make a case that the Cowboys could win the division if everything goes well.
Granted, it's not a strong case, but it's a case nonetheless.