A look at some betting angles for the NFC East in 2021.

The Favorite: Washington Football Team

By definition, Dallas is the division favorite (+135 at BetMGM) and Washington (+220) is the second choice. But the Cowboys too often are talented underachievers, and they face two big problems at important spots. The same problems tripped up the Cowboys last year — quarterback Dak Prescott has injury problems and coach Mike McCarthy finds ways to lose by making costly game-management mistakes. Remember the Thanksgiving Day massacre? Washington’s 41-16 win was the low point of McCarthy’s first season in Dallas. He called for a fourth-and-10 fake punt from the Cowboys’ 24-yard line in the fourth quarter, and it failed spectacularly. McCarthy enters this season as the only coach in the division on a hot seat. Dallas’ dismal 6-10 finish had a lot to do with Prescott’s broken ankle. The Cowboys averaged 32.6 points in Prescott’s five starts and 21.1 points in the 11 games he missed.

A disastrous Dallas defense was another huge problem. On the flip side, Washington ranked No. 4 in the NFL in scoring defense at 20.6 ppg and again will be led by a dominant front four. If Prescott can get past a shoulder injury that sidelined him in the preseason, the Cowboys will feature the division’s best quarterback and most explosive offense. If Prescott’s injury problems linger, the Cowboys could be a lost cause.

The Eagles face much uncertainty with second-year QB Jalen Hurts, and the Giants are hoping QB Daniel Jones’ third season will finally be a charm. Washington played four quarterbacks last year and somehow won the division with a 7-9 record. The new quarterback is an old one. Ryan Fitzpatrick, 38, is joining his ninth team in 17 years and seeking his first playoff appearance. Fitzmagic will try to pull a rabbit out of the hat and help Washington end another trend: The NFC East has not had a repeat winner since 2004, a 16-year streak that is the longest in any division in league history. Mostly due to its defense, Washington appears to be the most reliable bet. But the division probably is up for grabs, much like last year, when Washington was the long-shot winner at 25/1 odds.

Live ’Dog: Giants

Saquon Barkley’s season-ending knee injury in the second game threatened to sink the Giants in coach Joe Judge’s first year. After starting 0-5, the Giants rallied behind Judge to finish 6-10 and stay in the playoff hunt until the end. The Giants had the league’s second-worst scoring offense at 17.5 ppg as quarterback Jones regressed. GM Dave Gettleman is standing by his man and spent the offseason adding weapons around Jones. Judge, a Bill Belichick disciple, could prove to be the top coach in this division. The defense looks improved, and Barkley is back. This team has the potential to cash as the NFC East’s third choice at 9/2 odds.

Prop Play: Ezekiel Elliott Over 1,100.5 rushing yards

The Cowboys were a bust in almost every way possible last year, when Elliott was about as bad as he can get. Prescott’s absence and an injury-riddled offensive line turned the two-time league rushing champ into a pedestrian back. Elliott rushed for career lows of 979 yards and six touchdowns while coughing up a career-high five lost fumbles. Elliott claims he’s in much better shape and is determined to redeem himself. He has been durable, playing in at least 15 games in four of his five seasons. Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards in 2016 with 1,631 and in 2018 with 1,434. If the offensive line returns to form, this is a buy-low opportunity on Elliott, who has a great shot to top the DraftKings prop total of 1,100.5 yards in a 17-game season.