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Which NFC East team is the Dallas Cowboys biggest threat?

By Steven Mullenax

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leaves the field after losing to the New York Giants 20-19 at AT&T Stadium. Giants 20, Cowboys 19. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) leaves the field after losing to the New York Giants 20-19 at AT&T Stadium. Giants 20, Cowboys 19. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Following a regular season where the Dallas Cowboys dominated the NFL, which NFC East rival will be their biggest threat in 2017?

Last season was one of the best in franchise history for the Dallas Cowboys. Finishing with a 13-3 record, Dallas sailed into the playoffs with a first round bye and home field advantage throughout. Unfortunately, their Super Bowl dreams came to an abrupt end in the divisional round. Still, 2016 was a banner year for America’s Team.

This season the Cowboys face a stiff uphill battle to try and duplicate that success. Not only does Dallas face with a tougher, first place schedule; their NFC East rivals did nothing but improve this offseason.

Bolstering both excellent draft classes and free agency additions, the Washington Redskins, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants have all seemingly gotten better. So which of these three rivals are the biggest threat to the Cowboys this year? According to one team expert, it’s the same team that handed Dallas two losses last season.

"“New York Giants. Their defense is already one of the best in the league, which you saw in both games against the Cowboys last year,” replied Dallas Morning News beat writer Jon Machota during a recent live chat session. “But they’ve improved significantly on offense with the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram. If their offensive line can just be decent, the Giants have a good shot at winning the East and having one of the NFL’s best records.”"

During the draft, the Giants used their first round selection on Ole Miss tight end Evan Engram. In the fourth round, New York added Clemson running back Wayne Gallman. Throw in veteran Brandon Marshall to an already talented receiver corps, and this Giants’ offense has suddenly been overhauled.

New York went wild in free agency last season adding cornerback Janoris Jenkins, linebacker Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Damon Harrison. As a result, the Giants total defense improved from dead last in 2015 to 10th overall last year.

In their Week One matchup in Arlington, the Giants beat the Cowboys 20-19 last season. And Dallas lost again to the G-Men in New York 10-7 in Week 14.

Next: Ranking the Top 10 Dallas Cowboys going into 2017

With the Giants’ defense getting yet another offseason to gel and their additions on the offensive side of the ball, New York is once again the Dallas Cowboys biggest threat heading into 2017. Now the question is did the Cowboys do enough this offseason to keep up with the rest of their division and repeat as NFC East champions?

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