Prediction time
The East is such a bloodbath every year. As I look through, I notice that my QB comment for the West might be premature. 4 studs here as well.
NFC East
Offense
1. Cowboys
2. Redskins
3. Eagles
4. Giants
On a scale of 1-10, the Giants are a 7, and the Eagles/Redskins Cowboys are somewhere between 8.2 & 8.5, so don't let the rankings fool you too much, it's extremely close.
The Cowboys behind McNabb have their skill position star (B. Edwards), their run game rock (LaDainian Tomlinson), and a very good supporting cost in Riley Cooper, Alge Crumpler, and Chad Johnson. This group is behind a line that is in a little bit of transition, but while this offense may lack the superstar WR that 5-7 teams have Edwards is a legit #1, and with a complete cast this offense may look better than their triplets.
Redskins, surprised? In front of Palmer and Musa this elite OL is starting to lose a step or two but still makes a difference. Palmer and Rivers are the two best QBs in the division (Author opinion) and Musa is the best back in the division. These WRs can make a difference, but are the most ordinary group in the division, and the WR group ranks 4th by themselves. But with a traditional setup (OL, HB, then QB) this team may look like the Rams that won the SB, where the sum is greater than the parts.
The Eagles were hot last year, somewhat led by the Gary Barnidge show. He was backed up by an athletic cast and a very good OL. This year though, Mann is slowing down and Mendenhall is well behind the top two backs in this division. Tandon Doss is a great athlete that should take on a greater role this year, but the Eagles will be fighting uphill a little this year.
The Giants have a great QB/WR setup with Calico, Bragg, Shockey and Rivers able to make up for a lot of slack. Without a #1 HB and with a developmental hole at RT I see the Giants as a good but not elite offense through the season. They'll dominate some defenses, but not all.
Defense
1. Redskins
2. Cowboys
3. Eagles
4. Giants
The Redskins are still able to match up well up and down this defense. Probably the biggest hit to the defense if injured is not MLB Fincher but CB David Irons. Behind Irons, 6 other CBs are on the roster and at least 4 can provide a favorably physical match against good/great opposing WRs. The front 7 though has awareness and skill, with Arrington and Nece STILL able to start with high awareness and good athleticism. The DL is most vulnerable from an AWR standpoint, but the second level is so good I doubt it makes a difference in the run game.
The Cowboys are close. Better vet presence at CB, lesser athletic matchups on the outside. Could be a net benefit for the 'Boys, tough to tell without figuring out what Albert and the youngsters can get going on the line. Dallas also has good/great athletes at LB. I wish I could afford to invest 1sts at OLB.
If it feels like I am brushing by the front 7s, it's for two reasons. First, nearly everyone has DEs/DTs with AWR in the 50-65 range. Second, by my estimation run-stopping is far less critical to your chance of winning than performance in stopping the pass. If you recall the first point, those DTs/DEs are not disrupting the pass much either in the SFL if they are that raw.
The Eagles have a better DL than most. I doubt they or their up and coming linebackers perform better than the savvy old vets in Washington. In Philly's secondary are some athletes, but Phinisee has regressed and no true #1 CB exists to provide that brotherly love. I predict the defense will struggle to meet last year's level of play.
The Giants are like the Seahawks of the East. Some nice Rock-approved CBs like Shareece Wright (6'0", 95 SPD, 54 AWR) exist...well at least one. But zero CBs over 67 AWR will make it just as difficult as the Rams will find with slow CBs that have AWR. Sometimes it's best just to mix the two and make game-by-game adjustments (Height, AWR, SPD...pick one to match up and hope the rest doesn't burn you). The strength of this Giants might be at linebacker, but the overall front 7 is the worst of the 4 teams in the division based on a cursory glance at athletic ability and awareness.
Predicted Record
1. Cowboys (11-5)
2. Redskins (9-7)
3. Eagles (7-9)
4. Giants (4-12)
I consider factors like strength of division, strength of schedule, and how the offense and defense fit together.
Weird feeling saying this, the Cowboys last won the division in 2007, and have generally finished 3rd since. But I have Cowboys first in this division this year, behind an offseason of holding and adding vets to an already competitive roster. The east faces the AFC North (a wash) and the NFC North. It's anyone's guess who the SB challengers from those divisions are apart from the Bears and potentially the Vikings...but any of these teams but the Giants can go .500 or better against the two Norths.
The problem is within the division three teams are very close. In fact I may have spread the Eagles, Redskins, Cowboys too far apart. No one is going 6-0 in this division, no one has that kind of advantage.
The Redskins are weakest at WR, and much of the league is strong there. But their strengths will outmatch many of their opponents and they have the most ability to put Dallas in their dust and run to 11-12 wins. That would be fun to watch, with the history of these two franchises.
The Eagles have 10+ wins in 4 of the last 5 seasons, but I see too many slowing parts that were not replaced or improved on for Brad to overcome this year. It's still a deep team, just lacks some of the upper crust that you often see in a Barber-led team.
The Giants have players than can win games, but too many joes to win a lot of games. They may win only 1 game inside of the division, and I expect they'll be under .500 the rest of the schedule.
