2008 NFC East Preview

Last season, the NFC was without question the most competitive top to bottom in all of football. Every team in the division finished at an astonishing .500 or better with three of the four teams making the playoffs.

While these will be rare feats to duplicate, you can still expect the NFC East to once again be the best division in the NFL.

Note: Teams listed in predicted order of finish

Dallas Cowboys

In my eyes, the Cowboys are the team to beat in the NFC and are the most complete team in the NFL. The question continues to remain though even with all this talent, can the Cowboys put it all together?

From last year, the Cowboys have clearly become better with the draft additions of RB Felix Jones and CB Mike Jenkins and the acquisition of Adam “Pacman” Jones. Drafting Jones who is a great combination of speed and size, allows the Cowboys to make Marion Barber the #1 back. This duo offers a tremendous combination of speed and power and both should help each other to remain fresh the entire season.

Not only with the Jones brothers help to upgrade the RB and secondary positions respectively, but they will also drastically improve the return game with both being able to return punts and kicks this season.

And with an already solid defense, the only concern that I could see with the Cowboys in 2008, is their depth at WR. Sam Hurd, Miles Austin and Patrick Crayton must step up to provide QB Tony Romo with another threat opposite Terrell Owens. If at least one of these receivers emerges, the Cowboys can book their ticket to the Superbowl.

Predicted Record: 13-3

Playoffs: Yes

Philadelphia Eagles

Simply said, any hope that the Eagles have depends on the health of QB Donovan McNabb. If McNabb can manage to remain healthy for the majority of the season, the Eagles can easily win 10 games and make the playoffs. There is no question that this is a big if, but something tells me that he will.

And even if McNabb does wind up hurt for a few games, RB Brian Westbrook is clearly capable of carrying the team for a few weeks. Westbrook does it all both rushing and receiving with the best of them in NFL. However, the Eagles have to make sure that they monitor his workload and limit his hits, as he is not the biggest back in the league at 5-10, and a little over 200 pounds. Thus, expect to see Lorenzo Booker and Correll Buckhalter play key roles in earning carries to help preserve Westbrook.

Other players who must step up on offense are WR Reggie Brown and TE L.J. Smith. Both possess the talent to become reliable targets. Their productivity is essential as they will help to alter the attention away from Westbrook making the offense much more dynamic. If Brown does not step up, you can be assured that rookie WR DeSean Jackson who impressed during the pre-season will surely emerge as the go to receive, Jackson also will provide the Eagles with a big boost in the return game.

On the defensive front, the Eagles did lose DE Javon Kearse, however they did sign one of the best CB’s in the NFL in Asante Samuel. Samuel’s pressure will immediately be felt, as his cover skills will allow an unproven front more time to put pressure on the QB.

Overall, the Eagles have holes like many teams in the NFL, but due to the additions of Samuel, the drafting of Jackson and a favorable schedule, I expect the Eagles to be back in the playoffs in 2008.

Predicted Record: 10-6

Playoffs: Yes

New York Giants

Losing a Pro Bowl DE in Michael Strahan to retirement as well as Osi Umenyiora to a season ending injury is devastating news to the Giants in 2008. Fortunately, the Giants have outstanding replacements like Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka who are ready to fill in.

Putting pressure on the QB was the Giants single most important asset to their Superbowl run a year ago. And without two of the best in the league, the Giants will have a hole that is too big to overcome.

On offense though, the Giants should continue to get better as QB Eli Manning will continue to evolve and RB Brandon Jacobs continues to mature. But I just see the loss at DE, something that the Giants will not be able to replace, thus costing them a chance at a repeat.

Predicted Record: 9-7

Playoffs: No

Washington Redskins

The Redskins are just one of those teams where you do not know what to expect from week to week. Some weeks they can look great and others, they simply disappear. And with no real impact additions in the off-season, I do not expect much to change this season.

What I do expect though is Jason Campbell to evolve into a solid starting QB and Chris Cooley to become one of the best TE’s in the league. I know Clinton Portis has the tools to be one of the best in the league every season, but I just do not trust him to stay healthy. Furthermore, without any of their receivers being a threat to scare any defensive coordinator, defenses will key in on Portis. This will force the Redskins into a lot of 3rd and long counts thus creating nothing but an up and down season in Washington.

Predicted Record: 8-8

Playoffs: No