–by Tim Schlittner
Redskins general manager Bruce Allen recently called the NFC East “the SEC of the NFL.” With all due respect to Allen, the SEC has won the last seven national championships and the only NFC East team to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the last decade plays in the New Jersey Meadowlands. That being said, it is always a tough and competitive division top to bottom, and this year is no different. On to the predictions…
Dallas Cowboys
Last Season: 8-8, no postseason
The Dallas Cowboys have ended the last two seasons losing Week 17 play-in games to a division rival. In both 2011 and 2012, quarterback Tony Romo had very strong statistical years. But in season-ending defeats to the New York Giants and Washington Redskins, Romo turned the ball over a total of five times and failed to make the plays necessary to advance his team to the playoffs. It was those two performances that made the six-year, $108 million extension ($55 million guaranteed) he received from the Cowboys this offseason all the more puzzling. To quote Donovan McNabb’s reaction on Twitter: “You got to be kidding me.” Be that as it may, Romo is still a very solid quarterback and the Cowboys remain a strong contender for the NFC East title. They made two excellent additions to their coaching staff in new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, and sent the overrated Rob Ryan packing. Kiffin is the architect of the Tampa-2 defense which vaulted the Buccaneers to a dominating victory in Super Bowl XXXVII (37). In addition, two of Dallas’s best players return healthy from injury-marred 2012 campaigns—running back DeMarco Murray and middle linebacker Sean Lee. A combination of better coaches, healthy starters, and the emergence of Dez Bryant as a top-five wide receiver will have the Cowboys in contention right until the very end. Look for them to blow it again in Week 17, either on a Romo turnover or Jason Garrett clock management mistake.
Prediction: 9-7, no postseason
New York Giants
Last Season: 9-7, no postseason
The New York Giants have flown under the radar this offseason, which is usually a recipe for success. But they have MANY questions to answer entering the 2013-14 season, many of which relating to a defense that was gashed too many times last year and lacked the pass rush that is the key to their success. Will defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck bounce back from mediocre and horrendous seasons respectively? Will the linebacking corps show any improvement? Will cornerback Corey Webster return to form after opposing teams had field days throwing his way last season? There are questions on the offensive side of the ball as well. Will the Giants be able to overcome injuries on the offensive line and open up holes for first-year starter David Wilson? Will Wilson be able to hold up in pass protection and demonstrate the ball security Tom Coughlin demands? Will we ever see the same Hakeem Nicks that dominated defenses in the run up to Super Bowl XLVI (46)? If just a few of these questions are answered positively, the Giants should be in good shape, because they are led by the best coach and quarterback in the NFC East. Eli Manning will be asked to do more again this year and all signs indicate he is ready to rise to the occasion. With Coughlin and Manning, the Giants always have a chance.
Prediction: 9-7, NFC East Champions
[More NFC East: Audio Interview with Dallas Cowboys Radio Network broadcaster Kristi Scales]
Philadelphia Eagles
Last Season: 4-12, no postseason
The Philadelphia Eagles are coming off an embarrassing 4-12 season, one that got longtime and very successful head coach Andy Reid fired. In comes college phenom Chip Kelly, who led the Oregon Ducks to about a million points last year. How will Kelly’s up-tempo system translate into the NFL? Michael Vick is openly boasting about being a threat in the running game as well as through the air (will he actually run more?) and Kelly has essentially called time of possession overrated. That, of course, worked in Eugene, but when it comes to the Eagles, all of this has a distinct Steve Spurrier feel to it (ask the Redskins how that worked out). I would not be surprised if Vick goes down with an injury early in the season and Kelly wears his defense out. The Eagles’ talent on the offensive side of the ball is undeniable, especially LeSean McCoy, the division’s best feature back. But questions about Vick, Kelly’s inexperience, the season-ending ACL injury to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and a ton of questions on the defensive side of the ball (especially the secondary) all add up to a losing season. I’ll give the Eagles a two-win improvement on last year.
Prediction: 6-10, no postseason
Washington Redskins
Last Season: 10-6, NFC East Champions
The Washington Redskins are coming off a remarkably successful season that saw them win the NFC East for the first time since Bill Clinton was president. Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III was special, fellow rookie Alfred Morris complemented him beautifully in the backfield, and free agent wide receiver Pierre Garcon added the downfield threat the ‘Skins had been missing. Meanwhile, the Washington defense, full of young talent, had their share of ups and downs but stepped up when they needed to. The storybook season came crashing down in a first-round playoff loss to the Seattle Seahawks, when Mike Shanahan played a gimpy Griffin too long and he tore his ACL and LCL. Griffin III has been working hard to get back on the field to start in Week 1, and all signs point to him being under center for the opener. Not only do the Redskins return the nucleus of a division-winning team, they also have star linebacker Brian Orakpo back after missing almost all of 2012 with a pectoral injury. If RG3 stays healthy and performs like he did last year, the Redskins are poised to repeat. If he struggles off of knee surgery and/or Washington is forced to go to Kirk Cousins or Rex Grossman, this team is simply not as good. I see RG3 returning to full form in 2014, not this season.
Prediction: 8-8, no postseason
