The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the NFC East in 2017, rallying around quarterback Nick Foles after Carson Wentz's season-ending injury to win the Super Bowl. With questions surrounding the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, the Eagles appear set to run away with the weakened NFC East once more.

Still, let's break down the division with our 2018 NFC East preview.

4. Washington Redskins

washington redskins
Redskins.com

The Redskins enter the 2018 season with a new quarterback in Alex Smith and plenty of questions. On the bright side, the NFC East is fairly weak right now with only the Eagles standing above the pack. However, the Redskins’ schedule outside of the NFC East features games against the loaded AFC South and NFC South.

Washington’s biggest issue is the roster itself. The Redskins’ offensive skill positions lack proven star talent. Running back Derrius Guice’s ACL tear put a huge damper on head coach Jay Gruden’s plans and the team will somehow have to make up for it. Tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis will likely be a focus of the offense.

Defensively, Washington improved up the middle by taking Daron Payne in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Payne joins a mixed bag of talent, including veterans Ryan Kerrigan and Josh Norman. The question is whether or not the defense can produce enough to keep the team competitive every week.

Two Players to Watch: The Kansas City Chiefs’ decision to trade Alex Smith marks the second time in his career a team has moved him in favor of a younger quarterback. Can Smith prove the doubters wrong again?

Running back Adrian Peterson signed with the Redskins to replace the injured Guice. If he can return to form, the offense will have a real chance to develop around him. If not, the Redskins are in trouble.

Game to Watch: We will learn a lot about the Redskins when they host Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers at home on Sunday, Sept. 23. If they can hang with Green Bay, we’ll know this team is on the right path.

Predicted Win Range: 2-to-6

3. Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott

The Cowboys enter this season with a ton of question marks all over the roster, and it’s those question marks that will cost them a playoff spot in 2018. The wide receiver corps lacks star talent, the offensive line is already beat up, and the defense has several concerns.

Dallas will be competitive. Players like running back Ezekiel Elliot, defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, and linebacker Sean Lee will make sure of that. There just aren’t enough playmakers to win games against teams like the Eagles, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons.

Two Players to Watch: Expectations were low when the Cowboys traded for former Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin. The former first-round pick dazzled at times early in his career, but Austin appeared to lose his confidence throughout his last two years with the Rams. He now has a chance to prove he isn’t a bust and become the playmaker the Cowboys desperately need. Austin possesses the talent to turn the Cowboys’ season on its head.

Defensive end Randy Gregory finally got his reinstatement to the NFL. If he can stay out of trouble, Gregory provides an additional weapon for an already strong Dallas pass rush.

Game to Watch: The division rival New York Giants pay a visit to AT&T Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 16. Both teams are trying to come back from disappointing 2017 campaigns and we should see which team is further along. The Giants are better than last year, it’s just a question of whether or not they have caught Dallas or not.

Predicted win range: 7-to-9

2. New York Giants

Saquon Barkley

Call me a sucker, but I believe there is significant talent on the Giants roster. I could be made a fool again since I predicted the Giants would make the playoffs last season, but Big Blue are on the upswing.

The offense comes into the 2018 season improved across the board. Quarterback Eli Manning has weapons at every skill position and the offensive line is significantly upgraded.

What it really comes down to for the Giants is the defense. The unit possesses some talent but lacks players in the front seven. Linebacker Alec Ogletree never lived up to his potential with the Rams but does bring significant leadership skills to a defense that lacked it in 2017.

Two Players to Watch: Eli Manning is entering the twilight of his career, and after getting beat up in recent years, we don’t know how much he has left in the tank. Protecting Manning is the key to success for the Giants this year.

Cornerback Eli Apple has proved to be serviceable but underwhelming as a first-round draft pick out of Ohio State. The Giants need him to step up his game in the secondary alongside Janoris Jenkins. If he can give the front-seven a little more time to go after opposing passers, the Giants defense might just be fine this year.

Game to Watch: The Jacksonville Jaguars come to town with their loaded defense in Week 1. Considering the improvements on the Giants' offense, this is a chance for New York to see where they stand among the league’s best.

Predicted Win Range: 8-to-9

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Nick Foles, Eagles
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles bring back an even deeper roster in 2018. Philadelphia’s depth chart features Michael Bennett and Chris Long as second-string defensive ends and Corey Clement as a third-string running back; a testament to that depth.

However, being the defending champs comes with a lot of pressure, and there are significant questions at quarterback right now. We don’t know where Wentz is in his recovery from an ACL tear and Foles has been unimpressive in the preseason.

Still, the NFC East is weak, which will give the Eagles a leg up. Their depth will matter as the season moves into November, so I expect Philadelphia to rise to the top again. It’s just a question of quarterbacks and dealing with egos for the Eagles.

Two Players to Watch: It goes without saying, the Eagles’ odds for repeating dramatically increase with Carson Wentz returning to form quickly. As much as Foles deserves respect for stepping in during the Eagles’ run, Wentz is the lynchpin for a 16-game season.

Former Seattle Seahawks star Michael Bennett made more headlines off the field than on it last season. If he can move forward this season, Bennett can provide significant depth to an already dangerous defensive line.

Game to Watch: The Eagles’ schedule is quite manageable with most of their significant games at home until mid-November. Then Philadelphia hits the road for an epic matchup with Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 18. Should Philadelphia win this game, it will be clear that the Eagles are favorites to repeat.

Predicted Win Range: 12-to-14