NFL Preview: NFC East

Yesterday, I looked into my crystal ball and predicted that the Vikings would conquer a competitive NFC North. Today the NFC East gets their turn for me to decide their fate....or not. It's been the best division in football the last few seasons, and were one of just two divisions in the NFL last year to not have a team with a losing record (the NFC South was the other one). Here's the outlook for this season.

Dallas Cowboys
Like so many other teams last season, the Cowboys looked to be a lock for the playoffs with an 8-4 record three quarters of the way through the year. That all came crashing down after they lost three of their final four games including the season finale (in which a win guaranteed them a playoff berth) to Philadelphia by a humiliating score of 44-6. Ouch.
The Boys' biggest problem was probably injuries to their star quarterback Tony Romo, and I don't just mean all the pain Jessica Simpson caused him. Romo missed three games due to injury and Brad Johnson did what was expected of a 40 year old quarterback who was never much good anyways, namely, nothing. A midseason trade for wide receiver Roy Williams did nothing to help an offense that was significantly worse than the previous season (13th in yards, 18th in points in 2008; 3rd in yards, 2nd in points in 2007). Diva turned wideout Terrell Owens wore out his welcome after three seasons in Dallas, whining on the sidelines and in the press, and dropping the second most passes out of any player in the league. Owens is gone this year, but that just means that this Cowboys team is one more weapon short on the offensive side of the ball. They're hoping that their running game will carry them provided Marion Barber and Felix Jones remain healthy this year, and that Williams will finally live up to his promise and fill part of the void that Owens' production is leaving. Having one of the top tight ends in football, Jason Witten, unimpeded by T.O.'s need for the ball should help both in the locker room and on the field as well.
Dallas will depend on a good defense that didn't give up too many yards (8th in total defense), but surrendered a lot of points (20th in scoring defense) in 2008. They had an excellent pass defense, ranking 5th in the league and were also 5th in yards allowed per attempt. They were fueled by a frightening pass rush led by All Pro DeMarcus Ware and his ridiculous 20 sacks (Dallas had a league leading 58 as a team). A healthy Terence Newman at corner and the addition of defensive end Igor Olshansky should serve to keep this unit playing at a high level.
The Cowboys come into this year with as much promise as any other year. They boast a ton of firepower on offense and a fast, ruthless, attacking defense. Once again, it will be Tony Romo's play in December (something that has not gone well) that will decide the fate of Dallas' season.
Prediction: 8-8, 3rd in the NFC East

New York Giants
The Giants were on a high in 2008 after giving the Patriots what they deserved in the previous Super Bowl. They were hands down the most complete team in the NFL, and got off to a sizzling 11-1 start before the off-the-field controversies surrounding their top receiver Plaxico Burress, who shot himself in the leg (No, literally) at a nightclub. The G-Men lost 4 of their final 5 games, including in the playoffs to divisional rival Philadelphia.
With or without Plax, the Giants' offense moved the ball down the field like a well-oiled machine. They scored 29+ points in half of their games and finished 3rd in the league in scoring. Eli Manning showed the maturity that won him a Super Bowl, leading a passing attack that finished with the 8th most touchdown passes and 4th fewest interceptions. The running game was unbelievably effective, with two 1,000 yard rushers in Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward. The Giants finished 1st in the NFL in rush offense and yards per carry, and 7th in total offense. Burress is gone for good, as is Ward, but Ahmad Bradshaw should step in and be productive as the second running back, and if Brandon Jacobs stays healthy he is capable of putting up monster numbers. The quandry for the offense will be finding some reliable targets for Eli to throw to. There is no clear number one guy as a bunch of young wideouts battle for the role. The one who will get the first crack at the gig is Domenik Hixon, New York's leading receiver a year ago. Steve Smith seems to be the most sure-handed of the group, while the preseason performance of rookie Hakeem Nicks has fans salivating over his big-play potential.
The Giants lost their two star defensive ends from their Super Bowl campaign before the season began (Micahel Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to injury), but that didn't stop them from finishing 5th in total defense and 5th in scoring defense in 2008. New York showed their depth along the line as they finished 9th in rush defense, and breakout All Pro defensive end Justin Tuck recorded 12 sacks to help out a pass defense that finished 8th in the NFL. Umenyiora will be back healthy this season to add a second standout pass rusher to the line, and the addition of defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty adds even more depth to an outsanding front seven.
The Giants' defense will be their calling card once more. Even without defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, this unit has too much depth and talent to not be one of the top 5 defenses in the league again. The question will be whether Eli can make the necessary plays with a group of unproven receivers, but even if it takes a while to work out the kinks, their potent running game will keep them in games and wear down opposing defenses. A return trip to the Super Bowl is not out of the question.
Prediction: 12-4, 1st in the NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles had a wacky regular season that included a tie against the Cincinnati Bengals. But while other teams were in freefall down the stretch (Bears, Bucs, Boys), the Eagles won 4 of their final 5 games, including that 44-6 beatdown against Dallas in week 17, to sneak through the back door into the playoffs. Philadelphia made a deep run into the postseason, knocking off the Vikings and the Giants on the road before falling valiantly to the Cardinals in the NFC Championship Game.
The Eagles were similar to the Giants in their proficiency on both sides of the ball. Donovan McNabb had another love/hate season with the fickle Philly fans and coach Andy Reid. He was benched in the second half one week late in the year, then responded with strong games down the stretch to lead the Eagles to the postseason. They finished the year 9th in total offense and 6th in scoring offense. With McNabb winging it down the field regularly they had the 6th best passing attack and the 8th most passing touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver DeSean Jackson blew his shot at adding another TD to that count with a ridiculous premature celebration, but nonetheless proved himself to be a big-time playmaker who is likely going to be the Eagles' number one reciever this season. Philadelphia drafted another wideout with a similar skill set in the 1st round of this year's draft in Jeremy Maclin and added another versatile weapon recently with the controversial signing of the formerly incarcerated Michael Vick (And if anyone cares, Hank Baskett is still on the depth chart, so televised Eagles games could include a few shots of Kendra in the press box cheering on her man. It didn't work for Tony Romo or Reggie Bush, but then again, their teams were actually counting on them for heavy contributions) The Eagles also drafted insurance for their dynamic but oft-banged up running back Brian Westbrook, selecting tailback LeSean McCoy in the 2nd round. They will try to re-establish a running game that ranked 22nd in the NFL last season and 24th in yards per carry.
The Eagles were once again terrific on the defensive side of the ball last season, finishing 3rd in total defense and 4th in scoring defense. They were equally good against the pass and the run (3rd and 4th in those areas respectively) and were led by Pro Bowlers Brian Dawkins and Asante Samuel in the secondary. As usual, the Eagles brought a lot of pressure with heavy blitzing and their 47 sacks were among the most in the league. Longtime defensive coordinator Jim Johnson tragically passed away earlier this summer, leaving a massive void, and defensive leader Dawkins is also absent. Philadelphia hopes that the losses of their two most important defensive pieces this decade are not too much to overcome.
The Eagles should have an even more high-powered offense this season to take some of the pressure off of a defense looking for a new voice to lead them. If they can find a player or two to step into that role, they have the talent to make another deep run in the postseason.
Prediction: 10-6, 2nd in the NFC East

Washington Redskins
Unfortunately for the Redskins, they play in the NFC East, where despite their great play that had them off to a strong 6-2 start, a murderous schedule had them dropping 5 of their next 6 games, finishing 8-8, and vacationing in January.
The offense was once again carried by Clinton Portis last season, who began the year as the top running back in the game. But after carrying such a heavy burden for the whole year, Portis began to noticeably wear down, and had real trouble getting into the end zone. Washington finished 22nd in the league in rushing scores, despite the 8th best rushing attack. Portis got little help from quarterback Jason Campbell and the passing game, which finished 23rd in the NFL and 26th in passing touchdowns. Campbell is on the hot seat to deliver this season as Redskins fans wonder what if Aaron Rodgers had fallen jsut one more spot to them in the 2005 draft. Campbell doesn't exactly have a full complement of dangerous weapons. Tight end Chris Cooley is one of the best around, but Santana Moss no longer has all the tools necessary of a top receiver, Antwaan Randle El has had little success as a full-time target, and youngsters Malcolm Kelly and Devin Thomas have yet to develop into real threats. If the Redskins finish 28th in the league in scoring again, expect serious personnel changes to follow.
Washington's defense was yet another NFC East beast, as they finished the year 4th in total defense and 6th in scoring defense. A solid stable of corners led by Carlos Rogers and bolstered by the surprising midseason acquisition of DeAngelo Hall anchored a pass defense that was 7th in the league, and allowed the 6th fewest passing touchdowns. They Redskins didn't get much help on the line with veteran star Jason Taylor, but still ended up as the 8th best run defense. That ranking has a strong chance of improving with the addition of the one-man wrecking crew known as Albert Haynesworth (as much for his ability to swallow running backs whole as for stomping on the face of offensive linemen trying to block him). Rookie linebacker Brian Orakpo joins London Fletcher to control the middle of the field, and hard hitting safety LaRon Landry will also provide solid support against the run.
In a division where teams are superb on both sides of the ball, Washington's lack of an explosive offense really hurts their chances of making it to the postseason. Unless Jason Campbell takes a major stride forward and one or both of their young receivers becomes a major asset to the passing game, the Redskins' inability to consistently score will put too much pressure on a defense that can only win so many games on their own. Expect another year of the Redskins running out of gas down the stretch and spending the offseason looking for an answer to their lacking offense.
Prediction: 7-9, 4th in the NFC East