This is the counterpart to my article written previously in the same context, only about the AFC.
The teams are listed in the order of which they stand right now. Not necessarily in the way I believe the division will shape up. That will be explained at the end of the division's breakdown.
This time, I'll be taking a look at the NFC and breaking down why I think every division in this conference (arguably the better of the two for the first time in years) is up for grabs.
NFC East
1. New York Giants
Why they have a shot:
- Eli Manning has a newfound confidence about him. He believes in himself now, it would seem, and that radiates throughout the Giants' locker room.
- Brandon Jacobs is still the beast he has been. The man is nearly impossible to take down without taking a beaten from those immense shoulders or legs. It's basically "pick your poison."
- Spags has that defense still playing well, despite losing the likes of Osi Umenyiora (IR - knee), Michael Strahan (retirement), Kawika Mitchell (free agency), and Gibril Wilson (free agency).
Why they could blow it:
- Pre-2007 Eli Manning reared his ugly head on Monday night in Cleveland. Three interceptions, one of which was taken back for a touchdown (because of a Manning missed tackle, just to add insult to injury), and a whole slew of badly thrown balls won't get the job done.
- The secondary was exposed possibly. However, it could turn out to be an aberration. That has yet to be seen. What we could see was Derek Anderson running (or throwing) wild on their secondary.
- I think Tom Coughlin's dictator-like style of coaching is growing old with locker-room leaders like Plaxico Burress.
2. Washington Redskins
Why they have a shot:
- Clinton Portis is making his case for MVP this year. He's running like a man possessed and is getting a lot of help from a determined offensive line.
- Jason Campbell seems to be hitting his stride as an NFL quarterback. He's making good reads, good decisions, and up until the game against the Rams, had thrown no interceptions. I expect to see more of that kind of play from him.
- The defense is not a star-studded one by any means, but they're playing well enough to give their offense a shot to win games. That's all you can really ask of them.
Why they could blow it:
- A huge setback against the Rams, no doubt about it. It's always bad when you find a way to lose against a team even Redskins fans were calling one of the worst teams to ever take the field. Ouch.
- Ladell Betts is banged up. Enter in Shawn Alexander. Does he still have enough to take some pressure off Clinton Portis? Or do we see a Portis injury because he's being leaned on too much? We'll see.
- It seems like one mistake can send this team down a slippery slope in a hurry. They'll need to prove they can handle the expectation of winning as a front-runner.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Why they have a shot:
- There's a lot of talent on this team, no matter what position we're looking at. Many teams would kill to have half the talent this team has on paper.
- Marion Barber is showing he can carry the load and that he wants the load. That will help immensely with injuries to Felix Jones and Tony Romo.
- Terrell Owens. Need I say more?
Why they could blow it:
- The same concern always lingers with the cowboys. Can they keep all the egos in check? Romo is injured. Brad Johnson is in. Roy Williams just showed up. Less balls for T.O. means more words out of his mouth, which could mean less wins for this team. Oh, and he will always and forever be known as "Pacman".
- The defense is not playing up to par so far this year. They allowed themselves to be taken advantage of by the Cardinals and the Redskins in back-to-back weeks. With all of the offensive issues, the D needs to step it up.
- It's bad when quarterbacks have another guy looking over their shoulder, but if this team starts losing, how soon before Wade Phillips starts becoming desperate knowing Jason Garret is ready to snatch the clipboard away?
4. Philadelphia Eagles
Why they have a shot:
- Donovan McNabb is a premier quarterback in this league. Top five at the very least. Only three interceptions this year shows he does not make mistakes very often and will do everything in his power to put this team in a position to win.
- Brian Westbrook, Kevin Curtis, Shawn Andrews, and Reggie Brown are all expected back for the next game after the bye. Teams hurt when they are without four starters. They're back now.
- The defense is No. 1 in the league in sacks. Pressure on the quarterback is always a good thing.
Why they could blow it:
- The stellar run defense has been non-existent the past two weeks. They've given up 145 and 101 yards the past two games. Granted, that was to Clinton Portis and Frank Gore, but that's still unacceptable.
- The pass defense, an area that was thought to be a strength coming into the season, has been a weakness. I put a lot of that to young LB's not knowing how to cover premier tight ends, yet.
- In any other division, the Eagles are front-runners. In the NFC East, no one has any idea.
How I See This Shaping Up
- Washington Redskins (11-5)
- New York Giants (10-6)
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
- Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
*** Note: I know I'm going to get torn apart for this. However, this is contingent upon what I believe is an inevitable implosion of the Dallas Cowboys. If that does not happen, this is much different. In the end though, I'm afraid the Cowboys just have too many egos to make any real moves this year and will be a shocking disappointment. Please keep all criticisms clean. ***
5 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Kenny Stein 8 months ago
My comments:
I don't see the Redskins winning that division. Its going to come down to the Cowboys and Eagles with the Giants fighting for a wild card berth at best. The Redskins just lost to the St Louis Rams at home. They are a 7-win team. Cowboys have had a rough week, but its not the end of their season.
Packers have just enough to win the North. That is, they have something that the other 3 teams dont have. An offense. Bears might have enough for a wild card run, they could easily be up in that division, but they've had some bonehead moments of their own.
The Bucs are fakers. Every year this team should be 8-8 but they either luck their way to 11 wins or lose their way to 5 wins. I think this year they finally just settle in where they belong in the middle of the pack. The Saints will run away in the 2nd half with a healthy Marques Colston. Panthers should be playing for a wild card berth in weeks 16 and 17 but don't know if they have quite enough to do it this year. Falcons are a nice story, but thats about it.
The Cardinals win 11 games? ROTFLMAO. Nobody in the NFC Worst will touch double digit victories. 9-7 Arizona will probably win it. I hope the Seahawks can find a rhythm because they do have the most talented team in the West, but have no heart. The schedule is just so tough, unless they beat the Cards twice, they got no shot. The Niners have Frank Gore on offense, Patrick Willis on defense, a few other nice players, but not enough to win the division or fight for a wild card.
Prediction
Eagles
Packers
Saints
Cardinals
Cowboys
Bears
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Bob Cunningham 8 months ago
The game against the Rams was a fluke, that should be obvious.
Cowboys are having way too many issue, they're done for the year as far as im concerned.
The Bucs are a good team. They have an offense that gets the job done and still a good Monte Kiffin-directed defense. They're not fakers.
Panthers are good, they could make a run. but they have no defense.
And the cardinals are much better than anyone gives them credit for. They've got 6 wins guarunteed in that division.. ya think they only win 3 more? they already beat the cowboys who you think are good enough to win the toughest division in football.. seems like broken logic to me.
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Alex Gottsov 8 months ago
NIce NFC North article. But you're counting Vikes short, and i don't know about the Pack attack. I dont think Vikes will finish in the negatives
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Alex Gottsov 8 months ago
Im not liking the way Kenny is talkin. i havent followed football for too long, but Redskins have been showing a lot of hard playing football. One game doesnt mean anything. look at Giants, Cowboys themself. Cowboys you said had a rough week, hahaha. How about a couple. they lost to Redskins, and then to Cardinals. Romo has a broken finger(ohh how sad) their punter is out and i dont know who else. they're not going to be doing too hot, plus Pacman is out for 4 games. so count the good players that r out and we'll see how they do this week
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Alex Gottsov 8 months ago
I totaly, 100% agree with Bob. that's the right logic
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