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2005 NFL Preview - NFC East

NFC East

Philadelphia (11-5): Nothing would shock me with the Eagles this year. Actually, let me take that back. Going 16-0 would shock me. But I think anything is possible between 3-13 and 13-3. They are absolutely the most overrated team I’ve seen in the last decade. The only constant with them is Donovan McNabb; Owens and Westbrook are disgruntled. Mitchell is gone, Pinkston is hurt, and some of the major cogs on defense walked for better money in the off-season. Can’t you just see it, Week 17 against Washington, needing a win to secure home-field (or maybe even !gasp! a playoff spot) and Owens and McNabb have to work out the play through a series of clicks, whistles and hand signals?

Dallas (9-7): No way does Bill Parcels allow his team to repeat that disaster from last season... He’s going to will them to a winning record if it kills him. He’s got his hand-picked QB, two former top-of-the-line Wide Receivers, and an absolute S-T-U-D at running back – they’re going to win this year... Throw in the upgraded defense that was built to execute the system that he wants to play, and I don’t see any reason for them not to win at least 9 games, and maybe even challenge the Eagles for the NFC East title… At the very least, look for them to wrap up a wild card berth and do some serious damage in the playoffs…

NY Giants (6-10): Well, I’m spending Labor Day weekend in New Jersey this year, and I expect to take a lot of heat for this pick… Here’s the thing – this team needs more than just Eli Manning to win. The defense is getting older in a hurry. The only upgrade was at wide receiver, from Ike Hilliard to Plaxico Burress. Wait until the first time Plax’ mind isn’t in the game and he forgets his route – you think NY fans are going to ease off of him like Steelers’ fans used to? Tiki Barber should still be good for about 1300 yards, 14 TD’s and 12 fumbles… Much like the Saints, they’ve got the schedule to make a decent run if they can just catch a couple of breaks – maybe even see .500 for the season. But again, you can’t rely on catching a break…

Washington (5-11): After careful consideration, and having learned from past mistakes, I’ve decided not to pick Washington to reach the Super Bowl this year. Maybe it’s the lack of a quality QB. Maybe it’s the terrible offensive line. Maybe it’s the fact that their defensive secondary would probably allow me to throw for 350 yards and 3 TD’s. Or maybe it’s just that they’re not very good. Joe Gibbs just doesn’t have the talent to execute the type of game plan that he wants to. If he can get some size on the O-Line, Clinton Portis can be an absolute force, taking the pressure off of Patrick Ramsey and allowing him to throw to one of his many downfield threats (Santana Moss, David Patten, Kevin Dyson). But until that happens, they’ll be cellar dwellers in the NFC East…

posted by Big D @ 9:57 PM