NFC East Preview and Predictions

By Darren Zaitlen

At long last the NFL season is here.

With a divisional match-up between the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants set to go Wednesday night at MetLife Stadium, it seemed appropriate to preview the NFC East. There are a lot of intriguing story lines and personalities strewn throughout all four teams in this highly contested division.

New York Giants (9-7):

2011 was a year where Eli Manning took the next step in becoming an elite quarterback and the emergence of Victor Cruz as a play-maker alongside Hakeem Nicks allowed New York to weather the storm until their defense picked up steam towards the end of the season and carried them through the playoffs to a Super Bowl victory. The Giants were clutch when they needed to be while the rest of their division floundered in mediocrity.

Fast forward to this year where not much has changed with the 2012 New York Giants. There were some additions and subtractions like every team but the Giants still have Eli, Cruz, Nicks, and Ahmad Bradshaw to provide an electric, deep threat, offense. Their defense is shored by one of the fiercest front fours in the league with Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Can Eli and the Giants repeat?
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However, their linebacking corps are satisfactory at best and their secondary seems to be riddled with injuries every year as Prince Amukamara went down with another foot injury this preseason. Of course the secondary doesn't need to be lights out if the front four is generating constant pressure.

The Giants are something of an enigma every year. During their two Super Bowl runs, they started out slow, finished strong and somehow found a way to sneak into the playoffs. This year could be different as teams have had a whole off-season to find ways to develop blocking schemes against their defensive front. This could lead to shootouts where Eli Manning is forced to put up 30 points in order to win.

Of course this offense has that potential and it will be interesting to see how the Giants will fare this year. I think a powerful offense mixed with a defense that is good enough to cause some turnovers results in a winning season for the Giants.

Prediction: 10-6



Philadelphia Eagles (8-8):

It was a frustrating 2011 campaign for Andy Reid as his team went from being the talk of the league to the goat. A year where they signed free agents galore, the Eagles were supposed to steamroll the division and contend for a Super Bowl.

That never happened as the team underachieved with Michael Vick never being able to recapture his 2010 magic as he battled injuries and DeSean Jackson not trying. There was some hope though as LeSean McCoy emerged as a top tier back. Shady McCoy, and a front four that can rush the passer well, allowed the Eagles to bounce back from a slow start and contend in the NFC East.

Can Michael Vick stay on the field?
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They fell just short at 8-8 but are hoping that this year will be the year all that money they threw at pro bowl players comes together.

This defense knows how to attack the quarterback as Jason Babin and Trent Cole shore up the front four. However, their linebackers may be a weak point even with the acquisition of DeMeco Ryans. While he could be the pro bowl middle linebacker they need, he is also coming off a torn Achilles tendon that ended his 2010 campaign. Add 2nd round draft pick Mychal Kendricks and you just don't know how good the linebackers can be.

The Eagles are hoping for a better season out of both Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha to protect their weak safeties. 

In all, it's a team with a lot of big names and a lot of question marks. Can Michael Vick stay healthy? Will DeSean Jackson rekindle the magic from his 2010 season? Will LeSean McCoy be as good as he was last year or will there be a dip?

Add in the questions on defense and you have a team that could find the promise land... if everything falls into place.

Prediction: 9-7


Dallas Cowboys (8-8):

Another year, another disappointing season for the Dallas Cowboys. It seems every year starts with praise and high expectations that get dashed throughout the season. It all starts with Tony Romo who continues to be a very good quarterback. Last year was one of his best seasons as he only threw 10 interceptions all year. Romo still threw for 4,100 yards while battling injuries that included, but weren't limited to, a punctured lung.

Alongside Romo is Miles Austin whom also battled injuries, the troubled Dez Bryant, the emerging DeMarco Murray, and Jason Witten. To be blunt, this offense is nothing short of dynamic. The biggest storyline is how DeMarco Murray does in his first full season as he can finally add a running game to compliment the Cowboys' explosive passing attack.

Can Tony Romo finally lead the Cowboys to the promised land?
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Then you have the beast DeMarcus Ware who had 19.5 sacks last year. Dallas' problem is that the next closest player only had six. In order for this team to be successful, they need to be able to have other players contributing on the pass rush. Ware will get his crazy sack numbers, but it is up to other players to take some pressure off of him. If Ware goes down with an injury, we may be looking at 38-35 shootouts every week.

Dallas hopes that a consistent pass rush will overcome their weakness in the secondary. 
A weakness they addressed in the draft with the 6th pick Morris Claiborne.

As usual, this season looks like it could be a good one for Dallas. However, this could change by Week 4.

Prediction: 10-6


Washington Redskins (5-11):

He's fast. He's smart. He's the Heisman trophy winner. He already has his own shoe.

He's RG3.

After a woeful 5-11 season, the Redskins needed to make a major move to better their team: especially at the quarterback position. Everybody knew that Rex Grossman was not the answer (as much as Lovie tried so hard to persuade otherwise).

Dan Snyder needed something that would spark fan's interest. He knew that he had to draft a quarterback for the future and he had to be the real deal. No Donovan McNabb or Rex Grossman.

Is this the year where the Redskins finally break out and make some noise?

The answer is a resounding no, but they are definitely headed in the right direction with RG3.

Mike Shanahan has a tendency to pull running backs seemingly out of nowhere and 2012 will be no different. Who is the starter? Mike Shanahan knows but he's keeping his mouth shut just to play with us. Whomever it is, defenses will have to game plan for Griffin's passing ability which may open up some holes for the various running backs.

 Can Robert Griffin III be the next Cam?
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Complimenting RG3 is new addition Pierre Garcon from Indianapolis and Santana Moss. Considering who was throwing to Garcon, it is amazing that he still had over 900 yards receiving in 2011. This could definitely be a great pick up. Moss may be on the decline, but he is still dangerous. A player who is primed for a big season as RG3's safety valve is tight end Fred Davis.

The strength of this team is the defense as five players all had five or more sacks led by Brian Orakpo. Then you have "I tackle everything in sight" London Fletcher in the middle while an always feisty DeAngelo Hall leads the secondary which comes with two new players: Tanard Jackson and Madieu Williams.

While this team has a lot of potential, I think they are just one or two more years away from being a contender. Plus, all three teams in their own division are better which makes it difficult to contend for a Super Bowl.

I think Robert Griffin III will be a great quarterback for years to come. Just not yet. He's intelligent and I think he will improve drastically after getting his feet wet this year.

Prediction: 6-10


Darren Zaitlen's NFC East Final Standings
1. Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
2. New York Giants: 10-6
3. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-7
4. Washington Redskins: 6-10

So readers, what do you think the NFC East will look like come week 17?