So the Cowboys are still looking for championship number six, the Giants just got done shocking the world at the end of last season, the Eagles look like they just might fly south for basically the whole upcoming season, and the Redskins might have another rebuilding year in 2008.
Here I discuss my quick look at the NFC East for 2008.
Dallas Cowboys
Prediction: 16-0, win Super Bowl XLIII
With 20 starters and both coordinators back, they Cowboys felt they didn't have to make many moves during the offseason. They were the best team during the regular season and still believe they should've been in the Super Bowl.
They consider linebacker Zach Thomas, who was signed after being released by Miami, an upgrade over Akin Ayodele, who was traded to the Dolphins.
They also feel like they've improved in three other positions. They got Arkansas running back Felix Jones to replace Julius Jones (Seattle) and Texas A&M tight end Martellus Bennett to replace Anthony Fasano (Miami). They also got South Florida cornerback Mike Jenkins and ex-Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones to replace Nate Jones (Miami) and Jacques Reeves (Houston).
In his second year as offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett should be even better—and more innovative—which should help quarterback Tony Romo be more productive.
Likewise, in his second year as defensive coordinator, Brian Stewart should have a better feel for what his players can and can't do.
Dallas' last Super Bowl came during the 1995 season and its last playoff victory came in 1996. Dallas has gone 85-95, including 0-5 in the postseason, in the 11 years since.
The Cowboys appear to be one of the best teams in the NFC again, but their season will only be judged by how far they advance in the postseason.
New York Giants
Prediction: 12-4, lose in wild card
The Giants say they're hungry, but how hungry? And can they really keep that chip on their shoulder while they've polishing their rings?
Last year's championship run was built up on so much emotion, but so much of a fight for respect that it'll be an enormous challenge for the Giants to muster up their intensity again. If they can find their motivation, though, there's no reason why they can't at least compete for a repeat.
Eli Manning came of age and figures to finally have his breakout season. But more importantly, the defense shook off early struggles to become one of the best units in the league.
With a pass that's fierce and a quarterback on his game, the Giants are in the game, the Giants are in the upper echelon of the NFC. The key will be something they've rarely been able to do—do it every week.
Can they keep up their intensity when the expectations are high and when nobody's looking past them? Historically, the Giants are at their worst when supposed to be at their best.
However, Tom Coughlin had his Jacksonville Jaguars on top for many years without a letdown. Of course, they didn't win a championship, and winning changes everything.
Whether or not the Giants can be as hungry as they were last season remains to be seen, but this is still a team that will win a lot of games. Dallas will be the favorite (by most) to capture the NFC East, but the Giants figure to find a way to get back to the postseason.
Philadelphia Eagles
Prediction: 7-9, miss playoffs
The Eagles' chances of returning to the top of the NFC East—which produced three playoff teams, including the Super Bowl champion New York Giants—remain tied to Donovan McNabb's full recovery from his 2006 knee surgery.
McNabb did not get his public wish for more offensive playemakers; he had an All-World wide receiver—Terrell Owens—for precisely one full season, and the Eagles went to the Super Bowl that year.
Coach Andy Reid did add elite cornerback Asante Samuel, pass-rush specialist Chris Clemons, and a handful of players who should improve their special teams. The idea? To take the ball away and shorten the field so that McNabb's job becomes easier.
Reid has put a lot of stock in the Eagles' strong finish to the 2007 season. they rallied from 5-8 to end with a .500 record. Since that surge coincided with McNabb looking more like his pre-injury self, Reid believes it signals a return to form for the whole team.
There is likely to be more change than usual along the Eagles' stable offensive line. Teams were able to get more pressure on the less-mobile McNabb last season, and Reid is determined to fix that. Tackles Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan will not play forever, although it sometimes seems they already have.
Reid already had to quash trade rumors about McNabb during the offseason. If this season is about McNabb's ability to return himself and his team to the top of the division, it also feels like it could be his last chance.
Washington Redskins
Prediction: 1-15, miss playoffs
The Redskins are coming off perhaps the most emotionally draining season in their franchise's history. After the November shooting death of Pro Bowl safety Sean Taylor, the team rallied to make the playoffs before Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs retired for a second time.
Now Jim Zorn, the former quarterbacks coach of the Seattle Seahawks, has been handed the reins. Owner Daniel Snyder did not fill Zorn's roster with free agent goodies, as kick returner Jerome Mathis was the lone offseason signing. Instead, Washington is looking to build from within, as it made 10 draft picks, an unheard-of amount during Snyder's regime.
But none of those picks came in the first round, so few figure to provide an immediate impact. The roster will look strikingly similar to last season's, and that means the Redskins should be little better than average.
Of course, it doesn't help that the Skins play in the league's strongest division—with the Giants, Cowboys, and Eagles in the mighty NFC East. So much will depend on the development of Jason Campbell, a fourth-year quarterback who has shown much promise but little brilliance.
Zorn's West Coast offense seems to suit Campbell well. But in the end, this team appears to lack the star power needed to make a memorable postseason run. Then everyone will see if Snyder truly has developed the patience he did not have when he bought this team nine seasons ago.
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3 months ago
While I generally agree with your assessment of Dallas and NY being the divison's top two teams and Philly and Wash being the bottom two, I don't think Dallas will go 16-0, and I don't think Wash will go 1-15. Dallas has some tough games this season: Cleveland (they are looking better and better), NY (they played Dallas tough both games and beat them in the playoffs), Green Bay (Aaron Rodgers nearly killed them that game), Pittsburgh and Seattle. If Dallas doesn't show up pumped for any of those games, they lose. I think they'll take the division though.
Washington has too much talent to go 1-15. The whole Taylor thing will be passed this season, for the most part. They'll win some games.
Philly will go as far as their passing game goes. If McNabb can return to prior form and his receivers do what they're supposed to do, they can contend.
NY will go as far as Eli takes them. While he impressed last season, I'm not quite sold on his consistency.
-WJ
3 months ago
are you retarded how will washington go 1-15 they returned all of there starters on both sides of the ball from a playoff team plus have three new offensive weapons also the right side of the line will be back something that was missing from week 2 they will be in the playoffs again
3 months ago
you are way off. wow. the eagles return 21 of 22 starters.. nuts.
3 months ago
For 30+ years no team was able to have an undefeated regular season. And now you say it will happen 2 seasons in a row?
That is simply outlandish.
from 3 months ago
exactly, jonathan! i do pick the Cowboys winning every game (although the real possibility of that happening is so great). i'm pretty gutsy at my picks. I'll take my chances...
3 months ago
I know your gutsy in your picks but so far in your previews, it is impossible. You already have 4 teams with over 13 wins and 4 teams with under 5. That can't happen. I like the bold picks but you have to be somewhat logical.....
3 months ago
I know your gutsy in your picks but so far in your previews, it is impossible. You already have 4 teams with over 13 wins and 4 teams with under 5. That can't happen. I like the bold picks but you have to be somewhat logical.....
3 months ago
no clue why that sent twice haha
3 months ago
HA!.... HA!.... Tony Romo will choke it away again... 16-0? cmon... 10 wins max.... its the Giants division... just wait till Pac Man and TO get into a knife fight
3 months ago
you cant be serious. 16-0. you have to be kidding, our divisions going to split games again. and 1-15...thats even more unlikely. skins have better starters than last year, skins dline and oline is better than last years.mcnabbs gonna get hurt again and if he does, there goes playoff chance.
i think itll go 1. Cowboys 2. Giants and then the redskins and eagles will both go 500
from 3 months ago
also a good pick for the Redskins to go third and Eagles fourth. You dont know that Donovan McNabb is gonna get hurt. and even if he does, the Eagles playoff chances might not be over and done with, depends on how late into the season it is and how far back they are.
3 months ago
and unless belichick lends his tapes to wade phillips, theyre not going undefeated
from 3 months ago
it sounds like you could be one of those of those bandwagon fans who has no idea what he's talking about...why don't you try writing an article (a good one...) and see how many people agre with you then (which might not be many)
3 months ago
and unless belichick lends his tapes to wade phillips, theyre not going undefeated
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