NFC East: The Hype Division?

Color me impressed, Cowboys fans.

I went into Wednesday thinking the result of the Cowboys-Giants game would play no factor in my picks for the NFC East and the playoffs as a whole. The main reason was because I was convinced the Giants were going to win that game. After all, no Super Bowl champion had lost the opening regular season game since 1999 when Elway retired from the Broncos.

But I was also convinced the Giants were the better team. Last time the Giants won the Super Bowl, they went from wild card team to division winner. It seemed to me they were going to do that again. After all, the main pieces of the team are still there, and the Giants' defense is top-notch right?

Now I'm not saying the Giants defense isn't top-notch, but Dallas reminded me of something very important: just because you have incredible talent in your defensive line doesn't mean your defense as a whole will be good. But more on that further down.

I can say before I was going to pick the Giants to win the NFC East, or at least be a wild card team. Now ... I may have to change my mind. Division preview after the jump.


NFC East: scheduled against the NFC South and AFC North opponents

Dallas Cowboys

via KSK

Yes that's a real car. Apparently Cowboys rookie Morris Claiborne bought it for his parents after he signed his contract. Anywho ...

Last season: 8-8
The Cowboys were 7-4 and poised to win the division. Then their defense begin falling apart and the team lost four of their last five, including two losses to the Giants, to miss the playoffs. Of course, everybody blamed Tony Romo. I guess Dallas fans are so used to doing that it's become second-nature.

Offseason: The Cowboys lost cornerback Terrance Newman, though I'm sure plenty of Cowboys weren't too sad considering the state of their pass defense last season (23rd in yards allowed). The team also lost wide receiver Laurent Robinson and tight end Martellus Bennett.
Dallas used the offseason to fix its need at cornerback by adding free agent Brandon Carr and drafting Morris Claiborne in the first round. The team also added Kyle Orton at backup quarterback...yup.


Biggest storyline: The offensive line looked good against the Giants Wednesday, but it will be interesting to see how they hold up throughout the whole year, especially with the interior. When the line allows penetration from the defense, Romo tends to make big plays. Unfortunately, those big plays sometimes work in the other team's favor.

Prediction: 9-7?
The Cowboys face a pretty tough schedule, but I can see this team pulling out nine wins. Jerry Jones said the window for this team is closing, and he's right. Romo has the ability to take this team to the playoffs (and get a win), but can he remain consistent with his play? Even if he does, can the defense back him up? Even though the team upgraded at cornerback, the safeties are still a weakness in the secondary.

New York Giants

Cool sign, right?

Last season: 9-7, 1st in the NFC East, and uh, oh yeah, won the freaking Super Bowl
The Giants snuck into the playoffs, won some key road playoff games, and then beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots with a clutch drive by Eli Manning and a great receiving corps to win it all. Sound familiar? (See: 2007-08 season)

Offseason: Lost running back Brandon Jacobs but drafted David Wilson from Virginia Tech with the last pick in the first round. He brought his apparent fumbling issues from college into the game Wednesday against the Cowboys. The team also swapped Jake Ballard for Martellus Bennett (not literally traded, free agency) at tight end. Shaun Rogers was brought in at defense tackle, but his season has been ended by an apparent blood clot.

Biggest storyline: The offensive line, specifically on Eli Manning's blind side. The Giants can't seem to find a stable left tackle. The team was also last in rushing in 2011, so that line needs to open some holes for Ahmad Bradshaw.

Prediction: 8-8?
Along with the NFC South and AFC North opponents (two tough division), because the Giants won their division last season, they also face the Packers and the 49ers. That's a tough schedule. The Giants have the two things I value the most for a team's success in today's NFL: a great passing game (either great quarterback or good QB with good weapons) and a good pass rush (the Giants may have the most overall talent when it comes to the pass rush). However, there are just so many weaknesses in other places that I can see this team missing the playoffs. Newsflash to the Giants' opponents: use your tight ends and RBs for pass blocking. Your receivers can beat this weak secondary.

Philadelphia Eagles

Yes, this is a real ad for the upcoming season.

Last season: 8-8, missed playoffs
The hype built up for this team, largely in part to a stupid quote from an idiotic backup quarterback that people took WAY too seriously ("Dream Team" - Vince Young). The Eagles lost four straight at one point early in the season, but did manage to win four straight for a positive end to their season.

Offseason: This offseason was not nearly as exciting as their last one, though they did manage to pick up All-Pro linebacker Demeco Ryans (Texans fans - "he will be missed") and drop Asante Samuel. Also, they manage to remove the cancerous tumor known as Vince Young (for those of you who said the Texans should have drafted him, you're still retarded).

Biggest storyline: Michael Vick. What else? He hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2006. If Michael Vick stays healthy for at least 13 games, this team should easily make the playoffs. That's a big if, however.

Prediction: 11-5?
This team should be much more focused after last season's embarrassment. The holes in the defense are mostly improved, as I believe DeMeco is one of those players that makes everybody around him better. As I said, it all rides on Vick's ability to stay on the field, but I think there is enough talent that should he fall, they can still make the playoffs as a Wild Card.

Washington Redskins 

Baylor fans said the same thing last year. Worked pretty well.

Last season: 5-11
The Washington Redskins were not really expected to go too far last year, considering they placed their faith in John Beck at quarterback. After that didn't work out, Mike Shanahan unleashed Rex Grossman, finding similar results.

Offseason:

 

Yeah that pretty much sums it up. Also, the team picked up Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan to give Griffin some mediocre weapons. 

Biggest storyline: It all depends on Griffin. 1) Will his success at Baylor translate to the NFL the way everyone expects it to? 2) Have the Redskins surrounded him with enough talent?

Prediction: 6-10? (Yes I purposefully put questions marks behind every prediction, because, hell if I know.)
Robert Griffin III gives the Redskins hope for the future, but this season should be similar to the last couple seasons under Mike Shanahan. The defense has a great pass rush, but there are still plenty of holes that will need a couple more offseasons to fill.

Final NFC East Standings:
1. Philadelphia Eagles - division winner, 2nd best record in NFC East
2. Dallas Cowboys - Wild Card team
3. New York Giants
4. Washington Redskins

The reason I call this the "hype" division is because every team has some kind of hype around it, whether one believes it is deserved or not. The Eagles and Cowboys always have a hype surrounding them thanks to Michael Vick and Jerry Jones. The Giants, though remaining the quieter New York-based team, have the hype of being the defending Super Bowl champions (even though head coach Tom Coughlin is not a fan of that phrase). And the Redskins have the hype of RG3.

I like the Eagles to win the division and the Cowboys to grab a Wild Card spot, but honestly, I can see the Cowboys and Giants just as easily winning this division. The main point is that I think two NFC East teams will go to the playoffs.