Ryan: Because of all of the uncertainty surrounding all 4 teams in the division, the NFC East is the league's most interesting division. Longtime Philly icon Donovan McNabb is a Redskin, which is one of the stranger things I have ever heard, and Kevin Kolb has stepped up to be his replacement. The Cowboys look stacked as always, and the Giants seem to have talent, but are going through an identity crisis on both sides of the ball. Two years ago, there was no better division in football. That could be the case again, but it seems more likely that only one (maybe 2) of these teams will make the playoffs this season.
1st Place-Dallas Cowboys, 14-2
This might be an unreasonably high expectation for the Cowboys, but they really are flawless on offense. Tony Romo is a great quarterback, and I have always said that Felix Jones would lead the league in rushing yards if he was the full time starter (which might just be the case this year). Jason Witten is the best TE in the league in terms of receptions, and a receiving core of Witten plus Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Dez Bryant, and Patrick Crayton is probably the best in the whole league. DeMarcus Ware anchors a very solid pass rush, and Terrence Newman is the star of an above average secondary. Additionally, David Buehler kicks touchbacks like their extra points, and Mat McBriar is a fantastic punter. A flaw will surely emerge, and they might flounder in the playoffs, but Dallas is certainly the favorite in the NFC East.
2nd Place- New York Giants, 9-7
Eli Manning has developed into the best quarterback in franchise history, dropping 27 TD's and 4021 yards last season in what was the best statistical season a Giant QB has ever had. Injuries held the team down last year, with Antonio Pierce, Kenny Phillips, Aaron Ross, and other defensive stalwarts missing substantial amounts of time. The replacement players just did not cut it for the G-Men, and their once proud defense crumbled at the end of the season. Keith Bulluck, Antrel Rolle, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Deon Grant are all solid players that will give the Giants more depth and firepower on the defensive end. The Eagles and Redskins are also going to have down years, which will help the Giants' chances of getting back over .500. My favorite team will certainly have a shot at the playoffs this year, and hopefully can make another run towards the Super Bowl like they did 2 seasons ago. I just pray Tom Coughlin realizes how horribly ineffective Brandon Jacobs is, and increases the playing time of Ahmad Bradshaw and even Andre Brown. I don't care if Jeff Feagles comes out of retirement and takes handoffs, just take that lineman out of the backfield plleeeeaaasseeeeee!!! Jacobs is such an easy target for strong linebackers because he is so large, and doesn't seem to know how to take advantage of his size. If he could just destroy would-be tacklers like he did during the Super Bowl run that would be lovely, but the secret on how to stop him is out, and its time to move on.
3rd Place- Philidelphia Eagles, 7-9
Kevin Kolb, in my opinion, is an upgrade over Donovan McNabb at the QB position. He is the only QB in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two starts, and he had some unbelievable statistics at the University of Houston (3809 Yards, and 30 TDs to only 4 INTs as a senior). However, McNabb was a great leader and knew how to win, skills that Kolb might not have this season. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are good receivers, but they might not have a good rapport with Kolb in his first season with the team. All in all, I predict a below .500 season for the Eagles, complete with many ups and downs and an overdose of criticism towards a QB that has enormous shoes to fill.
4th Place- Washington Redskins, 6-10
The Backfield of Extraordinary Gentleman has been assembled in Washington, with the key word being Gentleman. Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis, and Willie Parker are all over the hill running backs, and Donovan McNabb is an aging former superstar. Santana Moss is getting up in years, Chris Cooley is coming off a major injury, and Albert Haynesworth seems more interested in filling his wallet and waistline than plugging holes on the football field. The Redskins would be a force to reckon with if they were a few years younger, but I see Mike Shanahan's squad having serious chemistry issues and failing to come through in the clutch against the superior teams in the division.
1st Place-Dallas Cowboys, 14-2
This might be an unreasonably high expectation for the Cowboys, but they really are flawless on offense. Tony Romo is a great quarterback, and I have always said that Felix Jones would lead the league in rushing yards if he was the full time starter (which might just be the case this year). Jason Witten is the best TE in the league in terms of receptions, and a receiving core of Witten plus Miles Austin, Roy Williams, Dez Bryant, and Patrick Crayton is probably the best in the whole league. DeMarcus Ware anchors a very solid pass rush, and Terrence Newman is the star of an above average secondary. Additionally, David Buehler kicks touchbacks like their extra points, and Mat McBriar is a fantastic punter. A flaw will surely emerge, and they might flounder in the playoffs, but Dallas is certainly the favorite in the NFC East.
2nd Place- New York Giants, 9-7
Eli Manning has developed into the best quarterback in franchise history, dropping 27 TD's and 4021 yards last season in what was the best statistical season a Giant QB has ever had. Injuries held the team down last year, with Antonio Pierce, Kenny Phillips, Aaron Ross, and other defensive stalwarts missing substantial amounts of time. The replacement players just did not cut it for the G-Men, and their once proud defense crumbled at the end of the season. Keith Bulluck, Antrel Rolle, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Deon Grant are all solid players that will give the Giants more depth and firepower on the defensive end. The Eagles and Redskins are also going to have down years, which will help the Giants' chances of getting back over .500. My favorite team will certainly have a shot at the playoffs this year, and hopefully can make another run towards the Super Bowl like they did 2 seasons ago. I just pray Tom Coughlin realizes how horribly ineffective Brandon Jacobs is, and increases the playing time of Ahmad Bradshaw and even Andre Brown. I don't care if Jeff Feagles comes out of retirement and takes handoffs, just take that lineman out of the backfield plleeeeaaasseeeeee!!! Jacobs is such an easy target for strong linebackers because he is so large, and doesn't seem to know how to take advantage of his size. If he could just destroy would-be tacklers like he did during the Super Bowl run that would be lovely, but the secret on how to stop him is out, and its time to move on.
3rd Place- Philidelphia Eagles, 7-9
Kevin Kolb, in my opinion, is an upgrade over Donovan McNabb at the QB position. He is the only QB in NFL history to throw for 300 yards in his first two starts, and he had some unbelievable statistics at the University of Houston (3809 Yards, and 30 TDs to only 4 INTs as a senior). However, McNabb was a great leader and knew how to win, skills that Kolb might not have this season. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are good receivers, but they might not have a good rapport with Kolb in his first season with the team. All in all, I predict a below .500 season for the Eagles, complete with many ups and downs and an overdose of criticism towards a QB that has enormous shoes to fill.
4th Place- Washington Redskins, 6-10
The Backfield of Extraordinary Gentleman has been assembled in Washington, with the key word being Gentleman. Larry Johnson, Clinton Portis, and Willie Parker are all over the hill running backs, and Donovan McNabb is an aging former superstar. Santana Moss is getting up in years, Chris Cooley is coming off a major injury, and Albert Haynesworth seems more interested in filling his wallet and waistline than plugging holes on the football field. The Redskins would be a force to reckon with if they were a few years younger, but I see Mike Shanahan's squad having serious chemistry issues and failing to come through in the clutch against the superior teams in the division.
Jason: The NFC East is a very tough division to predict. All the teams have the pieces to be contenders but all of them could falter and finish below .500. McNabb is a Redskin and hell hasn't frozen over so thats a plus. The Cowboys are a trendy pick to reach the Superbowl in their own stadium. The Eagles and Giants are both coming off disappointing seasons and are looking to bounce back.
1st Place- Dallas Cowboys, 11-5
While most people think the 'boys will cruise to the superbowl they have a tough schedule that could limit them. Their offense is stacked with Romo, Witten, and pad-hater Dez Bryant. After many distractions in previous years the Cowboys are primed to make a run. Wade Phillips isn't on the hot seat, Jessica Simpson isn't in the stadium, and they finally won a playoff game again. The defense played great down the stretch last year and should continue to grow. I think the Cowboys will win the division easily but won't dominate the league like many others think.
2nd Place- Philadelphia Eagles, 9-7
The Eagles have a new look to them this year. The most noticeable difference is new QB Kevin Kolb who is taking over for Donovan McNabb. Also, long time running back Brian Westbrook was released and just picked up by the 49ers. The offense can be very explosive with Jackson and Maclin at wide receiver. They also have LeSean McCoy in the backfield who can be very explosive. Their defense was suspect last year and could be a real weak spot. I don't think the Eagles can win the East but in the weak NFC they could sneak in as a wild card team.
3rd Place- New York Giants, 8-8
The Giants can go one of two ways. They can surprise people and make another run of they can have a weak defense and disappoint again. I think it will wind up being the latter. They have a very good QB in Eli Manning but he looked very bad in their first preseason game completing only 4 passes for 77 yards, 51 of which came on one broken play. There was also clear confusion between Jacobs and Manning on the play where Eli's head got a nice makeover. Their receiving corps is solid but still very young. Their D was injured for most of the year last year and it should be better this year. They got grandpa Keith Bulluck and a lineman who can do backflips. But seriously, they will be getting starters returning to their secondary and d-line which should help. I do think that they do need a replacement for Antonio Pierce who was a leader on the field and in the locker room. I don't think the Giants will improve this year and I expect coach Coughlin to be done after this season.
4th Place- Washington Redskins, 6-10
The Redskins should be much improved from last year, not saying much, I know. They brought in McNabb from philly and got Mike Shanahan to come out of retirement. Other than that, i think they will be just about the same team. Their run game shouldn't be any better this year and they dont have good receivers. Their defense has someone who takes a week to run 300 yards and not much else. Don't expect much from the 'skins this year because they aren't going anywhere.
Next up is the very competitive AFC North. Stay tuned!
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