As we continue our previews, we roll into the NFC East. There has been a different division winner here for 15 years, and this year could be a repeat. Let’s jump in.

NFC East Preview

The story of this division this year will be the haves and the have nots. Two really good teams and two not very good teams.

Eagles

Philly Put All Eggs in the Wentz Basket

The 2018 Super Bowl Champs made the playoffs last year, but the road stopped in New Orleans in the Divisional Round. Philly has a really good team, but they decided to put all their eggs in QB Carson Wentz’s basket. Let’s see how that works out.

  • Coaching: The coaching staff remains intact from last year. Mike Groh at Offensive Coordinator will employ a balanced attack with plenty of RPOs and deep shots. Jim Schwartz at DC will continue that pressure defense that led them to the title. Head Coach Doug Peterson is a risk taker, which has served him well.
  • Key Departures: QB Nick Foles was their safety blanket with Wentz getting injured 2 years in a row. That is key. RB Jay Ajayi was not re-signed to the team. They also traded DE Michael Bennett to NE for some picks.
  • Key Additions: WR Desean Jackson returns to Philly after several years away giving them some speed on the outside. RB Jordan Howard was acquired in a trade from my Bears to replace Ajayi. On defense, they added Jags’ DT Malik Jackson, which will help, as well as Andrew Sendejo (MIN) at Safety, and finally recently signed Orlando Scandrick the former Dallas CB, again to help that poor back end from last year.
  • Draft: The Eagles drafted Andre Dillard the OT out of Washington State to be a potential replacement for Jason Peters who is probably in his last year. They added some potential offensive firepower in the 2nd round with Miles Sanders, RB (Penn State) and WR JJ Arcega-Whiteside – the long WR out of Stanford. All players may contribute in 2019.
  • Final Analysis: The core of the Eagles remains intact top to bottom with some really solid additions in Free Agency and the Draft. The Eagles will contend for the division as long as Wentz can stay healthy. They will be battling with Dallas the entire year, but I think they will make the playoffs for a 3rd straight year regardless.

Cowboys

Time to Pay Zeke?

The Boys are really good, but the potential holdout of Zeke Elliott (currently in Mexico) really impacts their season. The decision should be made by August 6th, as that deadline impacts his ability to count this season towards service.

  • Coaching: One large coaching change came this season for HC Jason Garrett, a new OC. Kellen Moore, the former Dallas QB, takes over OC and play calling duties which can only mean more creativity. With QB Dak coming into this own and assuming Zeke is back, the Cowboys could be more dynamic. On defense, one of my favorite units is still led by Rod Marinelli.
  • Key Departures: On offense, WR Cole Beasley was not re-signed along with WRs Terrance Williams and Alan Hurns. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, DE Randy Gregory will start the season on suspension….DE Robert Quinn was acquired in a trade.
  • Key Additions: One huge addition is the return of C Travis Frederick who missed 2018 with a strange disease. That really brings back the teeth of a very talented O Line for Dallas. Also, the return of Jason Witten who retired to the booth for one year, so it is more like the ghost of Witten. Dallas signed WR Randall Cobb to fill the Beasley departure. RB Alfred Morris was brought back just in case Zeke does hold out.
  • Draft: The Boys did not have a 1st round pick, but added DT Trysten Hill (UCF) in the 2nd round and G Connor McGovern (Penn State) in the 3rd round.
  • Final Analysis: The Cowboys should be good again. Their defense is outstanding with superior linebackers and Demarcus Lawrence rushing the passer. Their success does hinge on the return of Zeke Elliott and the chemistry between Dak and WRs Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. If I had to bet, I’d say the Eagles win the division (based on no one winning back to back Division titles in 15 years), but the Boys should be a playoff team again.

Redskins

Not Sure Norman and the D Can Do Enough in Washington

Now, we start with the other 2 teams in this division. Washington may be ok, but not looking great.

  • Coaching: HC Jay Gruden is firmly on the hot seat this year with back to back losing seasons. Gruden elevated QB Coach Kevin O’Connell to OC this year, so the system should be about the same – unexciting, run oriented scheme. On defense, Greg Manusky stays at DC with a unit that was improved until injuries wrecked their season.
  • Key Departures: WR Jamison Crowder, their most consistent WR over the past few years signed with the Jets. QB Alex Smith will not return from that devastating injury last year.
  • Key Additions: The Redskins traded for QB Case Keenum from Denver. They signed S Landon Collins (NYG), OT Ereck Flowers (NYG) and CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (OAK). Plus, RB Derrice Guice returns from an ACL tear in the pre-season last year.
  • Draft: Washington did have a very good draft. First, QB Dwayne Haskins (Ohio State) fell to them at 15th overall and could prove to be the best QB in this draft class. They also landed an extremely athletic DE in Montez Sweat from Mississippi State at 26th overall. They also added the speedy WR Terry McLaurin (Ohio State) who could be a good Crowder replacement and potentially the return game. All 3 guys will contribute in 2019.
  • Final Analysis: Washington is gonna be just ok. I see them in the 5-6 win range. The defense is pretty good – Top 15, but Haskins or Keenum will not dazzle with the weapons they have. If the game is close, then the run game and defense will be featured. Another 3rd place Division finish and likely a coaching change at season’s end.

Giants

The Lone NYG Bright Spot – Saquon

Yikes! This could be the league’s worst team. At least in the NFC. Hold your nose here.

  • Coaching: HC Pat Shurmur returns for another year but with a lot less talent on the field. The same coordinators, too – OC Mike Shula (known for his running game in Carolina) and DC James Bettcher (blitzing style of play like under Todd Bowles in AZ). They are trying it again, but with a younger group of players except at QB.
  • Key Departures: The biggest loss was trading WR Odell Beckham and DE Olivier Vernon to Cleveland, but also allowing S Landon Collins to go to Washington and the mid-season move last year – Snacks Harrison to Detroit – really changes this team’s talent profile.
  • Key Additions: The Cleveland trade did bring the Giants S Jabrill Peppers who is athletic, but kinda position-less in the NFL and G Kevin Zeitler – not exactly hair raising. The Giants did sign WR Golden Tate (PHI) plus WR Corey Coleman, but he has torn his ACL and will miss the entire season.
  • Draft: The Giants reached on QB Daniel Jones (Duke) at 6th overall, but added run stopping DT Dexter Lawrence (Clemson) at 17th overall. Finally, they did get a quality CB in DeAndre Baker (Georgia) at 30th overall. They also took a flyer pick in the 3rd round on Oshane Ximines, an upside DE from Old Dominion.
  • Final Analysis: The Giants lack talent. Plus, they have an issue at QB – Eli Manning has been terrible for 3 years and the rookie Jones is not an upside QB like Mahomes, Watson or even Trubisky or Goff. The lone bright spot is RB Saquon Barkley, possibly the most dynamic player in football. This team reminds me of the Barry Sanders’ Lions teams of the mid-90s. You go to watch him, but nothing else. This team will struggle to win 4 games this year. I have them as vying for last in the NFC and will pick in the Top 5 in the 2020 Draft.

There is the NFC East. A top heavy group that does have 2 teams that can play for the Super Bowl. Next week, we will preview the 2 North Divisions.

Wegs

About the author

I'm a 49 year old, twice divorced guy with a 20 year old. The blog has morphed a bit lately. Not just sports or dating, social commentary and now some stories from my past experience.