Each divisional game will be more than meaningfulas the teams fight for any possible advantage
in the division standings.
Dallas
Led by one of the top quarterbacks in the league, the Cowboys should have no problem going down the field through the air as Tony Romo looks to complete short and long distance passes to Roy Williams, Jason Witten, and co. The receiving core may not look too impressive but Romo can do with what he has. Veteran offensive tackle, Flozeil Adams will open up the holes for running backs Marion Barber, Felix Jones, and even Tashard Choice. Last year, Coach Parcells used a dual running back style like many other teams had and found plenty of success on the ground with Barber and Jones sharing snaps. This year, Coach Wade Phillips returns as head coach, and look for him to do the same. Scoring will not be a problem for these rowdy Cowboys.
At Arkansas, Felix Jones worked the dual running game
with All-American Darren McFadden. Now he's got a new
partner in pro bowler Marion Barber. This guy could be
the best back up running back in NFL history.
The defense displays a very unique 3-4 formation with a variety of linebackers. Starting with the head honcho, Demarcus Ware who has always been a force for the Dallas defense. Keith Brooking is the newest member to the crew as he spent his entire career with the Falcons. Now he looks to help the Cowboys defense become one of the most feared in the league. Defensive End Marcus Spears will get plenty of contact with the quarterback and will cause plenty of miscommunication for the other side of the ball. Young Gerald Sensabaugh will likely get the starting job at strong safety and he will be in good hands as he is surrounded by Ken Hamlin, Mike Jenkins, and Terrence Newman in the secondary. Scary to believe that the weakest part of this defense is the deep secondary. The only thing that this team doesn't have is Deion Sanders.
The Cowboys will definitely make a run at the Giants for the top spot in the division. Any Cowboy fan can tell you about their '07 13-3 regular season record. With no serious injury, the Cowboys could make another run at such a record.
New York
Eli Manning had just recently signed a deal with the Giants that almost sent a message to the world saying that Eli was going to be a New York Giant for life. The young star has played up to the Manning family name and looks to lead his troops to yet another succesful season. With Plaxico Burress out of the lineup, the wide receivers don't look so fearsome. Domenik Hixon will get a starting spot at the receiver position and expect the 4 year young gun to possibly have a breakout season. He may also put on a couple of highlights in the returning game for special teams. Keep an eye out for #87 in blue. With the receiving group not looking so dangerous, many defenses may focus on the Brandon Jacobs and the running game. Jacobs will have to play even better than he did last year. He could be looking at 30+ carries a game throughout the season. Talk about wear and tear. This may possibly open up some space for the receivers so don't count out Eli and his golden arm. With a satisfactory offensive line in the trenches protecting Eli Manning, anything is possible for the Giants offense, from success to ultimate failure.
Domenik Hixon. Haven't heard of him? Now you have.Giants fans can soon forget about Plaxico.
This season, New York's defense may be the real reason for the team's success. The front line is big and strong. Can't leave out the word fast either as Umenyiora and Tuck cover a lot of space with those defense end spots. Antonio Pierce is one of those guys you don't want to meet face to face in a dark alley (but that could go for any defensive player in the league, except Jason Seahorn). The secondary isn't outstanding but it will have to do as the 4-3 portion of the defense will be sending plenty of pressure to the quarterback. Don't be surprised to see a deap pass play work every once in a while on this defense. We're talking 40-50-60 yard plays. Oh yeah, get ready to endure some painful blows Giants fans.
Despite the many questions that are held in the offense as well as the defense, the Giants are still a top contender in the NFC East as well as their entire division. I don't see a follow up of last season's 12-4 record but a playoff appearance may or may not be in the 09-10 season. I'm thinking .500 or just above it. Take it or get out.
Philadelphia
The bitter ending to the Eagles' season last year in the NFC championship game was all the more reason to come back even stronger this season. With just nine regular season wins last year, the Eagles showed that they could do some damage in the league. For the past decade, this team has always been in the running as a contender team but has yet to win a Super Bowl in that period of time. Donovan McNabb has lost some speed from the younger days but his decision making has just gotten better and better. The man has overcome countless injuries and looks to have about 2-3 years left in his prime. This could possibly even be the peak of his career. Hard to believe? He might not be that speedy dual threat quarterback, but his pocket presence is deadlier than ever. With a speed first lineup in the receiving club, Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown will look to be the starting guys at the position. Last year, DeSean Jackson led the team in receptions and receiving yards but that young cat isn't even going to start this season. With match-up problems asking to happen, Jason Avant could be a sleeper, coming in the slot position as a recevier. DeSean Jackson had recently hyper-extended his right knee and was carted off the practice field, but it is said that he will be good to go. Question marks for the return specialist? Eagles fans, let's hope not. Brian Westbrook will also be in the mix of the receiving numbers and coming off some injury issues, he will be the x-factor on the offense. The running game could be the downfall of this team this season but if Westbrook can get up on his feet, the sky is the limit for this offense.
The do-it-all combo running back is
ready to get at it once again. Recently
slowed down by injuries, #36 is
ready to make and break records.
The defense has always been one of the best in the league but this year, the fresh new look on defense could be either very rewarding or very painful to watch. The icon of the Eagles defense, Brian Dawkins has moved on with his career elsewhere and the Eagles are left with just a few key names such as Asante Samuel, Sheldon Brown, and young Brodrick Bunkley. The defensive line is very raw and there could be some communication issues early on but if this young group can get it together, a bright future could be in store for this line. The linebackers are represented by an even younger group of starters. Same story for these guys. Coach Reid obviously sees something in these young men so don't doubt the coach yet. If all else fails, the secondary doesn't. This has been the story for the Eagles for many years. Even when they had a strong front line, the secondary was always a protective insurance. It just isn't the same without the presence of Dawkins, but this secondary can't be overlooked.
The Eagles could do a lot of damage in the NFC East this season and possibly make a big run. It's a win big or go home situation for Philadelphia in the 09-10 campaign. Look for the Eagles to possibly have a slow start to the season and pick it up after a few games. Or, the team could just be in for a complete downfall year. Obviously, anything could happen.
Wasington
For a team as solid as the Redskins, being in the NFC East is just punishment from the football Gods. In any other division, this team could have seen some time in the playoffs in the past few seasons, but with the likes of the Eagles, Giants, and Cowboys standing in front of them, the team's season tends to end earlier than they would like. Jim Zorn will need to do some work before the season starts to get his team ready for yet another challenging season.
Jason Campbell will get the go ahead start at quarterback. He isn't a standout quarterback that will boggle you with stats but he is the kind of guy that does whatever it takes to get his team a win. A lot of issues with injuries regarding the receivers. The biggest name of the group is Santana Moss. The pro bowler looks to be fine and will see the field as a starter in week one. His effectiveness is a different story and we'll see exactly what he can do when the Skins visit New York for a divisional rivalry to open up the season. Clinton Portis has had some struggles since being traded over the Wasington from Denver but has still been a premier running back. Not sure if I can put him in the elite group for this season but he has the skills to do anything a back needs to do to be succesful. If the Skins want to win games this season, Portis will have to be a huge contribution. The offensive line should be of some help.
If you have trouble finding #30 on the field for the
Redskins, it'll be because he's doing the things
other defensive positions are usually doing.
Versatile is an understatement. Someone
get me a dictionary to describe this guy.
Albert Haynesworth is the big story for the Washington defense as the newly acquired pro bowl defensive tackle will close up the gaps in the middle. Veteran London Fletcher will command the linebacker group as the 4-3 front look to make it hard for backs to find holes for big yard plays. Pressure on the quarterback will come along more often as Haynesworth will hold up the middle, giving the defensive ends more opportunities to chase after the quarterback. LaRon Landry will look to have a breakout season as the young free safety will get a huge opportunity at the starting position. This isn't his first time starting, but this will be the season for the former LSU Tiger. Alongside him is fellow SEC guy, Carlos Rogers and a "Deion Sanders wannabe" in DeAngelo Hall. Hall will make plays and he will have quarterbacks second guessing.
The Redskins have a great opportunity to get themselves into the playoffs this season as the NFC East looks like a four man race all the way to week 17. They won't have a better chance than this as all the teams have some sort of tweak to fix in their lineups.
Another exciting year is in the making for the NFCEast as the rivals will be heated.
Cowboys 11-5
Eagles 9-7
Giants 9-7
Redskins 9-7
Ridiculous? I know. Possible? Very...
Don't be surprised if this division ends up sending three teams into the playoffs. The other NFC divisions can forget about a wild card. Those teams better aim for the division title or the window of opportunity will be slim.
-Jason C
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