2012 NFC East Preview

4. Washington Redskins

 

2011 Record = 5-11, Last in NFC East

2012 Schedule = @ NO, @ STL, CIN, @ TB, ATL, MIN, @ NYG, @ PIT, CAR, BYE, PHI, @ DAL, NYG, BAL, @ CLE, @ PHI, DAL

Franchise Players = TE Fred Davis, T Trent Williams, LB Brian Orakpo, LB London Fletcher, LB Ryan Kerrigan

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = WR Pierre Garcon, WR Josh Morgan, S Brandon Meriweather
Potential Impact Rookies = QB Robert Griffin III (Baylor) 1-2, QB Kirk Cousins (Michigan State) 4-7

Outlook = Isn’t it a problem when the best two players a team’s draft class can’t be on the field at the same time? Mike Shanahan is bonkers.

Ceiling = 6-10

Floor = 1-15
No Credentials Prediction = 3-13
 

3. New York Giants

 

2011 Record = 9-7, First in NFC East, Won Super Bowl

2012 Schedule = DAL, TB, @ CAR, @ PHI, CLE, @ SF, WAS, @ DAL, PIT, @ CIN, BYE, GB, @ WAS, NO, @ ATL, @ BAL, PHI

Franchise Players = QB Eli Manning, RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WR Victor Cruz, WR Hakeem Nicks, G Chris Snee, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DE Justin Tuck, LB Mathias Kiwanuka, CB Prince Amukamara

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = TE Martellus Bennett, G Sean Locklear, DT Shaun Rogers
Potential Impact Rookies = RB David Wilson (Virginia Tech) 1-32, WR Reuben Randle (LSU) 2-32

Outlook = Are this years Giants the team that caught fire in the playoffs on their way to a Super Bowl, or the squad that was actually outscored by it’s opponents during the regular season 400-394? They are a maddening team to predict (or even worse, gamble on) as they consistently play up or down to the level of their competition. They’ll have to play up to it much more this season than last, as they have one of the most treacherous road schedules in the league. By my count, only their Week 13 game at Washington appears to be the only easy road test, but that is thrown out the window given their history with the Redskins (remember that Washington thumped the Giants in New Jersey in Week 15 last season before the Giants caught fire the rest of the season). Throw in a Super Bowl hangover, and No Credentials will sign off on a sub-.500 season.

Ceiling = 12-4

Floor = 5-11
No Credentials Prediction = 7-9
 

2. Dallas Cowboys

 

 

2011 Record = 8-8, Third in NFC East

2012 Schedule = @ NYG, @ SEA, TB, CHI, BYE, @ BAL, @ CAR, NYG, @ ATL, @ PHI, CLE, WAS, PHI, @ CIN, PIT, NO, @ WAS

Franchise Players = QB Tony Romo, RB DeMarco Murray, WR Miles Austin, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, T Tyron Smith, DT Jay Ratliff, LB DeMarcus Ware, LB Sean Lee, LB Anthony Spencer

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = QB Kyle Orton, FB Lawrence Vickers, LB Dan Connor, CB Brandon Carr
Potential Impact Rookies = CB Morris Claiborne (LSU) 1-6

Outlook = Dallas faces similar schedule issues to what the Giants will see, with the exception of dodging the 49ers and Packers. Kudos to Jerry Jones for addressing the secondary, which stood out like a sore thumb over the final month of 2011. Morris Claiborne has the tools to be an immediate shutdown corner, and Brandon Carr is versatile enough to play out wide or as the nickelback. If Mike Jenkins were to ever rediscover his 2009 form, Rex Ryan could have one of the top cornerback units in the league.

            The lone concern with the Cowboys on paper is their offensive line. Tyron Smith had an excellent rookie campaign at right tackle, but is now being moved to cover Tony Romo’s blindside (Doug Free, who previously succeeded at right tackle, was a disaster last season at left tackle. He’ll switch back to the right). How he adapts to this switch will ultimately determine the success of the 2012 Cowboys. If he plays at a Pro Bowl level, this will be a dominant offensive force on par with the Packers, Patriots, and Saints.

Ceiling = 12-4

Floor = 5-11
No Credentials Prediction = 9-7

1. Philadelphia Eagles

 

2011 Record = 8-8, Second in NFC East

2012 Schedule = @ CLE, BAL, @ ARI, NYG, @ PIT, DET, BYE, ATL, @ NO, DAL, @ WAS, CAR, @ DAL, @ TB, CIN, WAS, @ NYG

Franchise Players = QB Michael Vick, RB LeSean McCoy, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin, TE Brent Celek, DE Jason Babin, DE Trent Cole, DT Cullen Jenkins, CB Nnamdi Asomugha, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Key Free Agent Acquisitions = S Oshiomogho Atogwe, P Mat McBriar
Potential Impact Rookies = DT Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) 1-12, LB Mychal Kendricks (California) 2-14, DE Vinny Curry (Marshall) 2-27, QB Nick Foles (Arizona) 3-25

Outlook = Philadelphia was a disaster at the start of the 2011 season, but started to put the pieces together down the stretch. The defense was aggressively overhauled this past off-season. Asante Samuel was shipped to Atlanta (hopefully meaning that Asomugha doesn’t get shuffled between corner and safety. He’s the best cover corner in football, and should be left alone), and their first three draft picks should go along way in shoring up a defense that had no answer against the run. They were even able to draft some Mike Vick insurance (he’s a shoe in to miss at least four games) in the form of Nick Foles, who’s been a preseason sensation. They might be a year late, but this is the year that the Eagles will realize their potential.

Ceiling = 13-3

Floor = 8-8
No Credentials Prediction = 11-5
 

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