It’s official ... the NFL is back!

And it hasn’t taken the league to inundate us with a flurry of preseason games outlets, primarily the NFL Network.

You are always anxious to see some of your team’s starters, even though most of them stay protected on the sidelines until the opener. Yet, it doesn’t take long before you flip the channel because you don’t recognize too many players, and it hits you that it isn’t the true season.

As for the Eagles, there were more positive impressions than negative ones in their preseason opener against the Bengals last Thursday night (see below).

However, most of you are thinking bigger picture and wondering if the Birds will win the NFC East and what team can be their biggest threat to alter their flight.

Your Vote Counts ... In correlation with the theme of this column, there was a recent Times News Lehighton Facebook page poll inquiring readers in regard to what team would be the biggest challenge to the Eagles in the NFC East this season:

Here are the results:

Washington - 59%

Dallas - 33 %

New York - 8%

Mick Serfass of Lehighton commented that the biggest challenger to the Eagles would be “themselves ... that’s it!”

In some ways, you are correct, Mick.

Taking Command ... Washington certainly was a surprise last season, as the Commanders won their final five games of the season to gain an NFC Wild Card. I’m sure you remember their 36-33 late December victory over the Eagles in which Jayden Daniels tossed three touchdown passes in a 22-point fourth quarter.

Washington didn’t lose any momentum or ground in the offseason when it picked up left tackle Laremy Tunsil and playmaker Deebo Samuel. Last season, the Commanders solidified their team with the acquisitions of veterans linebacker Bobby Wagner, tight end Zach Ertz and cornerback Marcus Lattimore.

This season, the initial focus will be whether or not Daniels will have a sophomore jinx after he made a big splash last season. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin apparently wants out due a new contract demand, and he has been linked to the Steelers. (Pittsburgh keeps looking to build a stacked team behind Aaron Rodgers).

Washington was a mediocre team before its late winning streak. Can it make the mark early this season instead of a late-season scramble?

The team’s first seven opponents are Giants, at Green Bay, Raiders, at Atlanta, at Chargers, Chicago and at Dallas. It’s conceivable that they could win three or four games during the span.

Down the road, they have road games at Kansas City and Minnesota, and home games against Detroit and Denver.

They won’t meet the Eagles until they host them Dec. 20, and then they come to Philly for the season finale — which already is a flex game. The league surely sees them as a threat to the Eagles.

Deep in the Heart of … It’s another training camp for the Cowboys, and another early controversy. Usually, its owner extraordinaire Jerry Jones is under fire for one of his ridiculous comments, but this time it’s edge rusher/linebacker Micah Parsons, who is still demanding a trade (wouldn’t he look good in Eagles’ green?).

Brian Shottenheimer made the move from offensive coordinator to head coach, as he organized an offense that was 21st in points scored (20.6).

Dak Prescott, who can never seem to win the big game, is back after his hamstring injury limited him to eight games last year. George Pickens will be a welcome addition to the receiver corps, and free agent Traeshon Holden has made a splash.

Dallas’ defense had the third-highest sacks in the league with 52, but they were 31st of 32 teams in yards allowed and points per game (27.5).

The Boys haven’t been to the NFC Championship game since 1996 — won the Super Bowl — and they are 0-7 in the divisional round and 5-13 overall going back to 1996. Yet, they have a 43-25 regular-season slate since 2021, fourth behind the Chiefs, Eagles and Bills (see Prescott and big games).

Dallas opens with the Eagles at the Linc in the Thursday night kickoff, and then host the Giants, at Chicago, host Green Bay, at the Jets, at Carolina, and host Washington in the first seven. Like Washington, Dallas could be hovering around the .500 mark.

They’ll meet the Eagles again Nov. 23, and have the Chiefs, Lions, Vikings and Chargers in the second half.

New Kid(s) in Town ... There’s plenty of buzz in New York with the opening act of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who literally threw a dart of a touchdown pass in the Giants’ preseason opening win over Buffalo. Dart completed 12 of 19 for 154 yards and ran for a team-high 24 yards.

Yet, this is preseason, and early expectations about Dart should be tempered. He will have the chance to be their franchise quarterback, but the question is when the Giants will give him the reins.

Penn State alum and top pick edge rusher Abdul Carter was less active with a single tackle, and rookie running back Cam Skatterbo has a leg injury.

However, the trio will play a major role in whether the Giants can climb back to respectability this season.

New York certainly can be a surprise this season, but they have a brutal schedule.

In their first seven, they are at Washington, at Dallas, host Kansas City, host Los Angeles (Chargers), at New Orleans, host Philly, and host Denver. Down the road, they travel to Philly Oct. 26, and have games against Kansas City, Chicago, Green Bay, Washington, Minnesota, and Dallas.

Their “winnable” games are New England and Las Vegas.

On paper, the Giants could have a slow start with a handful of wins.

And the Challenger Is ... As of now, Washington looms as the favorite to challenge the Eagles. Daniels will be the key.

Prescott has predicted that the Cowboys and Rams will play in the NFC Championship game. Prescott always has had the talent, and now he has a rich receiving corps. See how the Parsons saga plays out.

New York can make it interesting if they can find their footings in the opening weeks. They likely are a year away from contending.

It looks like it will come down to the Eagles staying healthy and avoiding costly turnovers.

Mr. McKee, Not Mr. Magoo ... Tanner McKee solidified his case as the Birds’ backup quarterback in their 34-27 victory over the Bengals last Thursday.

McKee was sharp and focused in his 20-for-25, 252-yard, two-touchdown performance. He did throw two balls that could have been easily intercepted, but he looked in regular-season form. McKee hit five of his fist six passes for 73 yards and then nine of his first 11 for 120 yards and two touchdown passes.

With his showing, McKee suddenly became the topic of trade rumors for draft picks to a team that could use a starting quarterback like the Saints, Colts and possibly the Browns. Cleveland already has ex-Eagle Kenny Pickett and Shedeur Sanders, whose stock has suddenly soared with his opening performance.

However, the Eagles, who will have a slew of draft picks next year, should keep McKee for insurance. Jalen Hurts will not play during the preseason, and McKee’s next two weeks should be worth watching.

With Hurts’ penchant for running the football, McKee may surface in a pressed relief role somewhere along the path toward the postseason.

McKee has the opportunity to be among the better Eagles’ backup quarterbacks such as Jim McMahon, Ty Detmer, Koy Detmer, A.J. Feeley, Rodney Peete, Mark Sanchez, Gardner Minshew, and, of course, Nick Foles.

Let ‘Em Play ... Most NFL team will keep their starters out the entire preseason, and then some may wonder why they get off to slow starts.

Previously, I’ve stated how starters should see some time in the preseason. You know what I mean if you’re going to any of the games.

It was good to see quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy, Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Cam Ward and Jordan Love as well as other starters get some playing time in the opening week.

What do you think?

Scrapbook ... Each column, I’ll turn back the pages and recount the career of a former standout from our coverage area.

Karl “Butch” Andreas II was a 1970 Slatington (Northern Lehigh) grad who starred three years on the gridiron as well as on the basketball court and the track.

Andreas was an All-State Second Team choice as a wide receiver/tight end/defensive end in 1969 and a Big 33 selection. He also was an All-Lehigh Valley League defensive end choice in 1968 and 1969.

From Slatington, Andreas received a four-year scholarship to Clemson, where he was a tight end/wide receiver. In 33 games over three seasons, Andreas caught 15 passes for 197 yards with a touchdown. His best season was when he had six catches for 67 yards in his junior year. He also was a four-year member of the National Honor Society at Clemson.

Andreas was inducted into the Northern Lehigh Ring of Honor in 2008.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com