NFC East Division Overview

Another NFL Season has Finally Arrived

By Max Berger

Charlie Riedel / AP

Through the first two weeks of the season, one thing is for sure – the NFC East is no longer the NFC beast. The 2012 division champs Washington Redskins and the never-say-die New York Giants are both 0-2, while the Dallas Cowboys and the new-look Philadelphia Eagles sit at 1-1 with some major issues to address. Although coming into the season most experts expected the ‘Skins, Cowboys and Giants to compete for the division title and playoff spots (this seems to be a developmental year for the Eagles), none of last year’s twelve playoff teams started the year 0-2. All four teams have an uphill battle to make the playoffs, but let’s take a closer look, starting with last year’s division champions:

           

This was supposed to be “the year” for the Redskins as people in sports call it—the year where key players are in their prime and everything should culminate into a Super Bowl victory at season’s end. Transcendent quarterback Robert Griffin III, last year’s NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, coming off of offseason knee surgery implored that he was healthy and ready to build off of last year. Also, a stout Washington defense a season ago welcomed back healthy linebackers Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan, two former Pro-Bowlers, to the mix; however, this season has been far from “the year” so far. RGIII is current ranked 31st in QBR and has already thrown three interceptions after throwing just five in 2012. Defensively, the ‘Skins have been historically bad, ranking dead last in the NFL and giving up the most yards in league. How bad? Washington has given up 1,023 yards in the first two games, second most yards allowed in NFL history through two games. As if there wasn’t enough turmoil in the nation’s capital already, this team should hit the panic button soon.

           

Next, the enigma that is the New York Giants. Every year after slow starts, the fans call for Coughlin’s head despite him winning two Super Bowls with Big Blue. Eli Manning has been, well, Eli Manning so far this season, one yard away from leading the league in passing yards but throwing a league-high seven interceptions thus far (the next closest QB has thrown four). No one can doubt his talent and his late-game abilities, but he makes some absolutely head-scratching decisions with the football at times. Fantasy football experts drooled over running back David Wilson’s potential this season but thus far the Virginia Tech product has been plagued by fumbling issues. The defense gave up a late touchdown and 36 points to the Cowboys in week one and got torched by the better Manning and the Broncos in week two for 41 points. This week’s matchup against Carolina is a must win for the G-men if they want to get this season back on track.

           

All was quiet in Dallas this offseason…except not at all. The Cowboys and their charismatic owner Jerry Jones had very high expectations heading into the season, like always, but some think this is the year the team breaks through and makes a postseason run. So far, again like always, there has been good and bad with “America’s team.” They impressed in week one, winning a 36-31 shootout shootout over the aforementioned Giants, but in week two they fell in a close 17-16 loss to the upstart Kansas City Chiefs. After a quiet week one, big-play wide receiver Dez Bryant exploded against the Chiefs for nine catches, 141 yards and a touchdown, and the Cowboys will need this kind of production and consistency from him each week if they want to reach their full potential. With all of the young-star quarterbacks in the league right now, Tony Romo is flying under the radar and playing some good football, ranking 12th in the league in QB rating. If they can limit mistakes on offense and the big plays on defense, this is a talented, hungry team that’s ready to pounce in a weak NFC East.

           

Catch your breath, it’s time to talk about the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles. Good news:  Head coach Chip Kelly’s offense is ranked second in the league. The Birds are second in total yards, rush yards and third in scoring. Most importantly, Kelly has once again made Michael Vick a relevant NFL and fantasy quarterback again, as he boasts the third highest QB rating and, most importantly, has no turnovers yet this season. Additionally, running back LeSean McCoy and wide receiver DeSean Jackson lead the league in rushing and receiving, respectively. This trio in Kelly’s fast-paced offense should continue to produce throughout the season. Bad news: the Eagles have to play defense too. The D has given up the third-most yards and fifth-most points allowed this season. These Birds are fun to watch and will be involved in some exciting shootouts this season, but the team cannot expect to contend until the defense can stifle its opponents.

           

Overall trend in the NFC East, and throughout the entire NFL: defenses are nowhere to be found, besides in Seattle, as offenses are destroying the record books. The division is not at its best this year, but it should be entertaining on and off the field as always. Someone has to win and someone has to lose, so here’s the prediction on how everything plays out:

1.     Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

2.     New York Giants (8-8)

3.     Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)

4.     Washington Redskins (6-10)