Power Ranking the NFC East over the Past Five Years
Over the next few weeks, I will be ranking every division in the NFL based on their performance over the past five years.
I'm starting with the NFC East, one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. The power swings on a year to year basis in the east, with rare exception.
In the past five years, 2010 was the only season where only one team managed to make it into the playoffs. In 2006 and 2007, the division owned both wild card spots as the Giants upset the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
But will a Super Bowl victory be enough to land the Giants the number one spot over formidable opponents Dallas and Philadelphia?
Read on to find out.
4. Washington Redskins
1 of 4
2006 Season: F+
The 'Skins defense couldn't stop a nose bleed in 2006. Their pass defense gave allowed a 97.8 QB Rating and 30 touchdowns through the air. They were also only able to force six interceptions. Mark Brunell did do a serviceable job when he filled in for Jason Campbell though.
2007 Season: B+
What a turnaround this team made in '07. They more than double their interception total from the previous season and their rush defense slowed down opposing running backs to a very good 3.7 YPC. But they were unable to escape the Seahawks in the Wild Card Round.
2008 Season: D+
This season brought Washington down to Earth. A good start turned into a terrible finish and set the tone for the 2009 season. There may have been some carryover from Sean Taylor's death in 2007. Statistically, this may not have been a bad year, but emotionally it was.
2009 Season: F+
This was terrible season overall. Their running was inconsistent and injury prevented them from really progressing as the season went on. This laid the groundwork for Mike Shanahan to take over for Jim Zorm as head coach.
2010 Season: D-
2010 was riddled with controversy. Many questioned Shanahan for his focus on the passing offense and his battles with star defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. The defense managed to take a step back, even after a subpar season in 2009.
Overall: D+
The Redskins need to solve their situation at quarterback. It appeared as if they would draft a highly-touted player in the draft, but Coach Shanahan seems confident in the ability of John Beck to turn the franchise around. We'll see how that works out.
3. Dallas Cowboys
2 of 4
2006 Season: B+
Tony Romo managed to outperform the aging Drew Bledsoe. Terrell Owens, Jason Whitten and Terry Glenn gave Romo an assortment of targets and they had one of the league's better running games. This season was also the beginning of his playoff debacles though.
2007 Season: A
The Cowboys were able to exceed expectations for once. Tony Romo was fantastic and DeMarcus Ware as well as Greg Ellis instilled fear in opposing quarterbacks. Terrell Owens' ankle sprain may have been responsible for the poor performance against the Giants though, which ended their playoffs short.
2008 Season: C
The Cowboys just couldn't get it done this season. While DeMarcus Ware was a complete animal, they were unable to successfully replace the oft-injured Romo. Doubt over Wade Phillips job security began to rise towards the end of the season. This may have been one of the most up and down seasons in recent memory of any NFL team.
2009 Season: A
Romo was able to remain healthy all season and it payed off for the Cowboys. A Week 15 victory over the Saints marked the high point of the season as they sneaked into the playoffs. After a stellar performance against rival Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round, they were crushed by Minnesota in the Divisional.
2010 Season: C-
Before Jason Garrett took over for Wade Phillips, the Cowboys were one of the worst teams in the NFL. Jon Kitna and Stephen McGee proved to be solid backups to Romo, but they need to improve their pass defense, which allowed 33 touchdowns.
Overall: B
For the sake of the Cowboys, I hope Tony Romo can stay healthy. Kitna is aging and I'm not sure if he can continue the magic from 2010. If the offense performs like it did at the end of 2009, they should easily make it back to the playoffs.
2. New York Giants
3 of 4
2006 Season: C+
This marked a terrible season for quarterback Eli Manning. Tiki Barber was great, but it wasn't enough. The team ended the regular season on a bad stretch and it carried over into their Wild Card loss to the Eagles.
2007 Season: A+
This was supposed to be a transition year for the Giants. Michael Strahan was old and Tiki Barber was retired. Manning had another awful regular season, but he turned it around in the playoffs, leading the Giants on an improbable playoff run that resulted in them beating one of the best teams of the Super Bowl Era, the previously undefeated Patriots.
2008 Season: A
The Giants toted the best running game in the NFL and Eli Manning finally showed the improvement that fans were waiting for. Sadly, their slow end to the regular season led to another poor performance to the Eagles in a Divisional Round loss.
2009 Season: D+
They began the season with incredibly high expectations, but their running game was not nearly as effective as it was in 2008. The defense regressed as whole and the only bright spot was Manning's 27 touchdowns.
2010 Season: B-
Consecutive losses to Philadelphia and Green Bay destroyed the Giants playoff hopes. This was a successful season though. They were able to reestablish their run game and develop another great young receiver, Hakeem Nicks. Manning's 25 interceptions overshadowed an otherwise good season.
Overall: A-
If it weren't for the huge upset against the Patriots in '07, we may have looked on the Giants as the 3rd wheel in this division. Instead, they are a young franchise with a good coach and a solid future. Prince Amukamara falling to them deep in the first round could be the shining pick of this draft.
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1. Philadelphia Eagles
4 of 4
2006 Season: A-
Donovan McNabb, Jeff Garcia and A.J. Feeley were all great at quarterback in '06. Their pass defense was incredible, although their rush defense was shoddy at best. Brian Westbrook was at his best and they were able to make it to the Divisional Round, where they lost to the inspirational Saints team.
2007 Season: B-
McNabb was unable to stay healthy once again and this time around, Feeley was not as effective. Brian Westbrook was great once again though and despite family troubles, Andy Reid was able to hold together his family life as well as his team.
2008 Season: A
The Eagles devastated the Cowboys in week 17, making this season so much sweeter for their fans. They did show their age though. McNabb, despite remaining pretty healthy, was not his normal self, and Brian Westbrook was not the star he was the past two seasons. DeSean Jackson became a star this season though, as the Eagles made it all the way to the Conference Championship.
2009 Season: B+
When he was in the lineup, McNabb played very well. The season was going very well until week 17 when the Cowboys got their revenge. They shut out the Eagles and then clobbered them in the Wild Card Round. This was a hard season to swallow for Eagles fans.
2010 Season: A-
If not for the stubborn Reid inserting Kevin Kolb into the starting role at any chance, this may have been a 12-win season for the Eagles and possibly a longer playoff run. Michael Vick redeemed his career, showing that he is still a threat on the ground and a great passer.
Overall: A-
The Eagles have been a model of consistency. They are the only team in the division to have remained on "honor roll" through the past five seasons, not falling below a B- once. To continue their success, they need to shore up their offensive line, which allowed 49 sacks in 2010. They have to put some hope in guard Danny Watkins, their first round draft pick.
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