We switch conferences this week, but stay in the east. After dubbing the AFC East the “TMZ” division, I anoint the NFC East as the “syndicated” division. Syndicated as in “Seinfeld”, “Friends”, “Sex in the City”, and “Family Guy.” You can’t turn on your damn TV without these shows being on somewhere. The NFC East is the reason I have Direct TV’s NFL Sunday Ticket (not because I like my cable costing more a month than my car). Otherwise, I would be forced to watch nothing but Cowboys, Giants, Eagles, and Redskins games. No joke. Try watching national and cable TV games from kick off Sunday morning through Monday Night Football without an NFC East team being involved. Impossible. And that’s in California! Worse, the NFL must have a mandated quota of times it has to show matchups within the division. After all, there’s only 12 of them! Thank God there’s in pro football doesn’t work like the BCS. The four BCS bowls would match AFC East vs. NFC East, and the Chargers would play the Cardinals in the Holiday Bowl at 11 p.m. on a week night.
As a result of this over exposure, my analysis of the NFC East will be brief. If you are unsatisfied, turn your TV to ESPN or NFL Network for 20 minutes and get your fix. Give it an hour and you will be on a first name basis with the guys who scrub the Cowboys toilets.
Washington Redskins
If character won you football games, Jason Campbell would be the highest paid quarterback in the league. It doesn’t so the Redskins spent seemingly the entire offseason trying to replace Campbell. Washington very publicly pursued Jay Cutler, tried trading up to draft Mark Sanchez, and are could contemple the idea of bringing in Michael Vick. Campbell had every right to act like his spoiled and entitled peers and demand a trade on the grounds that the Redskins dared to disrespect him. Instead he went about his business, knowing that no matter who you are in the business of football if you don’t perform you will be replaced. Yes, even you Dorn.
While Campbell will no doubt have something to prove, the Redskins should be the same as last year on offense. By that I mean boring. A lot of running and short passes that will inevitably lead to a lot of field goals. Defensively, the ‘Skins should be nasty. After last year’s big acquisition of Jason Taylor didn’t pan out, owner Daniel Snyder again reached into his deep pockets and threw so much money at all-world defensive tackle and notorious head-stomper, Albert Haynesworth, that Tennessee could only help the big man pack his bags. In addition they drafted physical freak Brian Orakpo (Texas). He should add a huge pop to a pathetic pass rush. Expect a lot of 17-10, and 16-13 games whenever the Redskins take the field this year. They won’t give up much. But, they won’t score much either.
Best case: 9-7. Worst case: 6-10. Most likely: 8-8
Fantasy Focus: Clinton Portis: Washington loves to run the football and Portis is their man. Look for the always consistent work horse to have another productive year.
Dallas Cowboys
America’s team (whether we like it or not) will look similar this year, but things should be a whole lot quieter. The main reason for that is after a three year stop in Dallas, the T.O. circus has finally left town. In addition, Tony Romo did what he usually does this time of year: broke up with his starlet girlfriend, Jessica Simpson, right before training camp opened. Ensuring that this year, the media will have to find someone else to blame for the ‘Boys’ late-season collapse.
After three years of Super Bowl expectations in “Big D,” Jerry Jones would be lying if he told you he expects a title this year. While Owens was an enormous pain in the ass, he was their best offensive weapon. His presence helped both the running game and journeymen receivers like Miles Austin and Patrick Clayton. Without him, all should be exposed. Roy Williams is now Romo’s number one target, and that should make Dallas fans nervous. Williams looks the part, but his production has been awful the past couple of seasons, despite playing opposite double-team drawing Calvin Johnson and Terrell Owens. This isn’t good news for Romo, who looks to have regressed over the last year and a half.
Defensively, things don’t look much better for Dallas. They have a veteran unit that lacks speed and doesn’t force many turnovers (the cowboys were a -11 in turnover ratio last season). Linebacker Keith Brooking was added in the off season to provide leadership and stability. However, Brooking’s best days may be behind him. Throw in a tough schedule and a highly competitive division, and the Cowboys will be lucky to make it to .500 this year.
Best case: 9-7. Worst case:6-10. Most likely: 8-8
Fantasy Focus: Marion Barber: If the Cowboys are smart, they will lean heavily on Barber and the running game. Felix Jones should be featured more this season, but Barber is Dallas’ goal line runner and eats up yards late in games. The main concern is that he wore down towards the end of last season. Still, Barber is a 1st or 2nd round pick.
Philadelphia Eagles
Left for dead half way through last season, the Eagles took flight late in the year, and came within seven points of a second trip to the Super Bowl under Andy Reid. For Reid and QB Donovan McNabb it was the same old story. These two live on the hot seat in Philly. It seems every year fans are calling for their heads by early November. Then the they hunker down, turn their season around, reach the NFC Championship game, and buy themselves another off season’s worth of slack. Unfortunately, with that slack comes the expectation of taking things to the next level. This year, anything short of a Super Bowl appearance will not fly with the Philly faithful, who have seen enough NFC Championship losses for a lifetime.
The Eagles are by far the most consistent team in the NFC, thanks in large part to the resiliency and brilliance of Reid and McNabb. The Offense is filled with big play threats and a lot of speed. The biggest obstacle for this unit will be avoiding the injuries that have plagued them the last few seasons. McNabb is a proven leader, who can be amazing at times, but pedestrian at others. How he plays this season will determine how effective the offensive attack can be.
The Eagles defense will not be the same this year. Jim Johnson, Philadelphia’s long time defensive guru succumbed to cancer last month after taking a leave of absence from the team in May. Johnson was the architect of the Eagles’ fast attacking defense. His blitz schemes were both feared and respected, as opposing teams never knew where their QB would be struck from. No one would blame the Eagles for playing distracted early on, this cannot be easy for the close nit group. In addition to the loss of Johnson, Philadelphia also lost their captain, Brian Dawkins to free agency. It will be vital that someone assume the leadership role on this defense and rally an obviously disheartened group, because the talent is there.
Adding Michael Vick Thursday could give the Eagles the most explosive offense in the NFC. A lot remains to be seen, but if Vick can get into game shape, he could be a useful weapon on an offense loaded with players who can blow a game open at any moment.
There is no question that Philadelphia will be in the hunt for the division crown, because they always are. New York is still the favorite, but I would not be surprised at all to see the blue collar Eagles make a late season push again.
Best case: 11-5. Worst case: 7-9. Most likely: 9-7
Fantasy Focus: Brian Westbrook: when “B Love” is healthy he is as good as any fantasy back out there. Problem is, he is often out of action or dealing with nagging injuries. He will be your best player two out of every three weeks, and a hole in your line up the other week.
New York Giants
By the end of last season, the Giants looked like a team that was feeling the effects of trying to repeat as Super Bowl champions. By the time they reached the playoffs they were a shell of themselves, and the Eagles took full advantage. Good news is, this year they come back reloaded with a renewed focus. The Plaxico Burress fiasco is in the rear view mirror, Eli’s contract is taken care of, and there is a different team out there with the champion bull’s-eye on their back.
There is no longer any question who’s team this is. With Strahan gone last season, Eli Manning took control of the Giants and in case there was any lingering doubts, the front office took care of them when they made Manning the highest paid QB in the NFL. However, that doesn’t mean that their offensive philosophy has changed. The G-Men play smashmouth football, pounding the ball with their stable of running backs. This makes life nice and cushy for their nine and a half million dollar man. Eli can pick defenses apart with play action set up by the running game. Don’t expect too many surprises from New York. They will play their game and dare you to try and stop it.
On the defensive side of the ball New York gets a big shot in the arm with the return of sack master Osi Umenyiora, who was lost all of last season with a knee injury. Defensive captain Antonio Pierce should be sharper this season as well, with his legal troubles are behind him. Look for the Giants’ D to regain the form they had in the Super Bowl, putting quarterbacks on their backs all game long, which makes their secondary look a lot stronger.
The Giants have to be the team to beat in the NFC, despite not winning the conference a year ago. They are healthy, they are stacked, and they are hungry. Look for Manning to take the next step as an elite signal caller in this league and prove he is worth every penny. If he does, the Giants will still be playing in February.
Best case: 13-3. Worst case:9-7. Most likely: 11-5.
Fantasy Focus: Eli Manning: Because of his last name Eli will going earlier in your draft than he probably should. The fact of the matter is, the Giants are a disciplined, run-first team, that does not stray from their game plan. Don’t be the one that takes Eli early and gets 12 points every week from the QB position. Let the new guy take him.
Next week: NFC North
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Matt Venuto was forced into the writing business when those close to him held an intervention and demanded that he find an outlet for his endless opinions and ranting, because, frankly, they were tired of listening to him. Matt is a USC alumnus and majored in psychology in an attempt to figure out why everyone around him was nuts. He failed in his endeavor. Like Hootie and the Blowfish, the Dolphins make him cry and he doesn’t understand why more people don’t find Kevin Garnett extremely annoying. Calm down Kevin, please.
Related posts:
- ⊚ NFL Preview Week 4 – AFC East
- ⊚ NFL Preview: Week 1-AFC West
- ⊚ NFL Preview-Week 3 AFC North
- ⊚ NFL Preview-Week 2 AFC South
- ⊚ Are We There Yet?
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