The NFC East is probably the most competitive NFL division heading into the 2008 season. The New York Giants are the defending Super Bowl Champions. The Dallas Cowboys won 13 games and had the number-one seed in the NFC. The Redskins won their last four games to make the playoffs as the final wildcard, and the Eagles finished strong, and were a very dangerous 8-8 team at the end of the season that did not qualify for the postseason.
The only other division that has a claim to being as competitive as the NFC East would be the AFC South, which also had three teams qualify for the playoffs in 2007.
Here is how I see the 2008 season playing out in the AFC East.
1) Dallas Cowboys
‘07 Record: 13-3
Points Scored: 455 (second)
Points Allowed: 325 (13th)
Playoff Result: Lost in Divisional Round
2008 Strength of Schedule: 134-122 (.523) (tied for 13th in the NFL)
Strengths: The Dallas Cowboys had a very impressive start to their 2007 season. In their first 13 games, they went 12-1, with their only loss being to the New England Patriots. In their first 12 games, they outscored their opponents 395-248, or by an average of 12.25 points per game. After their 37-27 victory against 10-1 Green Bay, they looked poised to be the NFC favorite to take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
However, things didn’t go according to plan. They went 2-2 in their last four games and were outscored 60-77. Then the Cowboys were upset in the playoffs, by the eventual champion NY Giants, 21-17. It was a very disappointing end to a season that looked destined to end with a Super Bowl appearance.
The Cowboys had a load of talent on their roster in 2007. They sent a record 11 players to the Pro Bowl, seven of which were starters. The number-one strength on the Cowboys was the offensive line. Three of their seven Pro Bowl starters came from that unit: Flozell Adams, Leonard Davis, and Andre Gurode. With Tony Romo given plenty of time to throw the ball, and the numerous great weapons they had on offense, the Cowboys put up points with great ease.
Tony Romo threw for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns in his first full year starting. Jason Witten had a career-year at tight end, with 96 catches for 1,145 yards and seven touchdowns. Terrell Owens had 81 catches for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. Marion Barber posted 975 rushing yards and 282 receiving yards to go along with his 12 touchdowns. Nick Folk made the Pro Bowl as the NFC's kicker.
What it adds up to is an offense that dominated the NFC. Furthermore, their only key loss this offseason on offense was Julius Jones, who signed with Seattle. The Cowboys have promptly taken care of that loss with the addition of Felix Jones in the first round, and TE Martellus Bennett to play opposite Witten in the second round.
The only need the Cowboys did not address this season was wide receiver. TO is still an elite NFL receiver, but he is going to be 35-years old, and Terry Glenn was hurt until the final game of the season. He is going to be 34. Patrick Crayton had a solid year filling in for Glenn, but still has a ways to go.
It is obvious the Cowboys would be in trouble if TO were to miss significant time. Teams don’t have backups that can produce at the same level as him. Without him in the lineup, they go from scary to below average at the receiver position. He must find a way to stay healthy and play as close to 16 games as possible, something he hasn’t done since 2001.
Weaknesses:
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