The NFC East is often one of the most competitive, if not the most competitive division in the league. This year looks to be no different with all 4 teams hungry for a run at the divisional crown. Here are my predictions for the NFC East this year.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are the most underachieving team in the league and this year could be even uglier than the past few. Dallas has always had the talent, but their production has never been up to par. Dallas's biggest problems lie in the receiving core. Star wideouts Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are both banged-up and that could effect their play all season. Austin is especially of concern due to a lingering hamstring injury that has hampered him since pretty much the beginning of last season. DeMarco Murray who had a breakout rookie season last year, is also coming off a major ankle injury and on top of that has a long history of injuries. Then comes their production problems. If they don't step up as a team, they aren't going back to the playoffs anytime soon. Dallas will probably end up around or at exactly .500, which isn't too bad for a team with this much turmoil, but this team has pretty much no chance of making the playoffs in a pretty deep NFC.
New York Giants: The Giants are coming another incredible playoff run which lead them to another Super Bowl victory. Clearly this team knows when to step up and if they keep up their high level of play from the end of last year through the playoffs, they should have no problem taking the NFC East title. Outside of the minor losses of Mario Manningham, Aaron Ross, and Brandon Jacobs, this is pretty much the same team that won the title last year. They still have a lethal offense led by Eli Manning and the knockout 1-2 reciver punch of Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz and the best pass rush in the league anchored by Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Unimeniyra and Mathias Kiwanuka. They also bolstered their depth on offense by drafting running back David Wilson and wide reciever Ruben Randle in the draft (Both have shined in the preseason). The Giants are a pretty safe bet for success this season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Call me crazy, but I like the Eagles chances this year. The last four games of last season they started playing they should've been all of last season. They got their heads out of their asses after the dream team comments in the preseason and became a really scary team after living up to their immense potential. I think they are going to ride that momentum into this year. Michael Vick had a shit year last year and he realizes it. I think he is going to do everything in his power to help the Eagles land a playoff spot after his disapointing season last year. It also helps that the Eagles have a top 5 running back in Lesean McCoy (who absolutely shreds defenses when on the top of his game) and weapons in the passing game with DeSean Jackson,Jeremy Maclin, and Riley Cooper. Their defense also improved in the offseason when they traded overrated corner Asante Samuel to Atlanta and picked up promising defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the first round. I really like the Eagles chances this year and they are a top contender for a wild card spot in my eyes.
Washington Redskins: There's a lot of hype around the Redskins this year. For some odd reason, Robert Griffin III is getting more hype than Andrew Luck. Redskins fans are touting him as franchise quarterback before he's even played a down in the regular season. I'm not on the RG3 bandwagon at the moment. It's not even because of him, it's because of the team. The Redskins have become a talent cesspool of late. If you go to Washington and you were once good, your talent escapes you immediately . Of course Griffin could overcome this, but I don't like his odds with the cancerous ownership and the coaching of the once great, but now senile Mike Shanahan. They gave up a lot to get him and I'm not so sure on how it will work out (Then again I could be 100% wrong like I was about Cam Newton last year). The Redskins once again spent a lot of money on free agents bringing in Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan and re-sigining Adam Carriker to way too high deals. Garcon and Morgan are talented receivers, but once again Washington is almost always a talent-draining black hole for players. The Redskins do have some talent, but overall I don't think the pieces fit together and if RGIII struggles, this team will be one of the worst in the league yet again.
My Predictions for the NFC East Standings
1.New York Giants (12-4)
2.Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
3.Dallas Cowboys (7-9)
4.Washington Redskins (5-11)
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