2014 NFC East Preview

4. New York Giants

2013 Record = 7-9, Third in NFC East, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = @ Lions, Cardinals, Texans, @ Redskins, Falcons, @ Eagles, @ Cowboys, BYE, Colts, @ Seahawks, 49ers, Cowboys, @ Jaguars, @ Titans, Redskins, @ Rams, Eagles

Blue Chippers = None

High Quality Players = FB John Conner, LG Geoff Schwartz, CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
Solid Contributors = QB Eli Manning, RB Rashad Jennings, WR Victor Cruz, DE Jason Pierre-Paul, DT Cullen Jenkins, CB Walt Thurmond, SS Antrel Rolle
Impact Rookies = WR Odell Beckham Jr. (1-12, LSU)

Good News = Kevin Gilbride and his “Turd Sandwich Offense” were finally sent out of town.
Bad New = New York’s shaky offensive line has to face off against the fearsome defenses of the NFC West.

Outlook = For my money (what little there is of it), the Giants are the hardest team to forecast. Any win total between 3 and 13 is plausible. Realistically they could be 6-1 or 1-6 before their bye week. Most people will point to Eli Manning’s ridiculous interception total from a year ago, or their shockingly low defensive sack rate, as reasons to believe a market correction is in order. Even after surrendering 30+ points in each of their first five games last year, the defense still ranked eighth in total yards allowed at the end of the season. Jason Pierre-Paul is the key to the Giants reaching elite defensive status, as he’s now three years removed from his dominant 2011 campaign.

            Offensively, I’m not buying a return to past glory for Eli Manning, but the reason has nothing to do with him. Despite adding Geoff Schwartz from the Chiefs, New York still has one of the shakiest offensive lines in THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. The majority of Manning’s turnovers last season were pressure based, and it was truly astonishing that he didn’t get hurt until Week 17. It was foolish for New York to take Odell Beckham Jr. (a Victor Cruz clone, which is something you don’t need when you already employ Victor Cruz) instead of a lineman in the first round.

Prediction = Eli gets the crap kicked out of him again, and forced to defend too many short fields, the Giants defense won’t hold up. 6-10

3. Dallas Cowboys

2013 Record = 8-8, Second in NFC East, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = 49ers, @ Titans, @ Rams, Saints, Texans, @ Seahawks, Giants, Redskins, Cardinals, Jaguars (London), BYE, @ Giants, Eagles, @ Bears, @ Eagles, Colts, @ Redskins

Blue Chippers = None

High Quality Players = HB DeMarco Murray, WR Dez Bryant, TE Jason Witten, LT Tyron Smith
Solid Contributors = QB Tony Romo, C Travis Frederick, RT Doug Free, DT Henry Melton
Impact Rookies = G/T Zack Martin (1-16, Notre Dame), DE Demarcus Lawrence (2-34, Boise State)

Good News = Against all odds, Dallas is on it's way to building their best offensive line since the glory days of the 1990s.
Bad News = Division II Schools could hang 40 points on their defense.

Outlook = Just for grins and giggles, here’s where I predicted Dallas would finish in the NFC East in each of the last three seasons.

2013 = 11-5, first in NFC East

2012 = 9-7, second in NFC East (surprisingly realistic prediction by me, except for the part where I thought they’d finish over .500)
2011 = 11-5, first in NFC East

            I’m just here to say…I can’t be optimistic anymore. Three mediocre seasons that have ended with Dallas losing a winner takes all season finale have sapped me of any hope. Unfortunately, Jerry Jones is encouraged by perpetual mediocrity, and hasn’t made wholesale changes in the structure of the team.

            Offensively, the Cowboys do boast top-5 talent across the board. Dallas finished fifth in total scoring despite running fewer offensive plays than any other team last year (that’s a weird stat, but we’ll cover it when we discuss the defense). Tony Romo delivered his strongest statistical season last year, chucking 31 touchdowns against only 10 interceptions. His lower rate of turnovers can largely be attributed to a vastly revamped offensive line. Zach Martin became the third offensive lineman taken by the Cowboys in the first round in the last five years, which before Tyron Smith was taken in 2010, hadn’t happened in 29 years. Keeping Romo upright has been a priority, and it has paid dividends. Improved blocking was also a key factor for DeMarco Murray averaging over five yards per carry. One could only wonder what Murray could produce if he could stay healthy for an entire season. The receiving corps is solid with Dez Bryant and Jason Witten leading the way. If Terrance Williams makes improvements after a promising rookie campaign, Romo will have the best receiving core he’s ever had.
            Defensively is where this team goes to hell. It was the worst defense in the league last season, and consistently had issues getting off the field on third down. Perhaps replacing 248-year old Monte Kiffin with Rod Marinelli as defensive coordinator will help, but that isn’t a guarantee. Sean Lee is already out for the season (stunner!), and their secondary is a complete mess.

Prediction = There are going to be plenty of shoot-outs, and plenty of fantasy football goodness, but unfortunately not plenty of wins for the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, we don’t even think they finish .500 this year. 7-9

2. Washington Redskins

2013 Record = 3-13, Last in NFC East, Missed Playoffs
2014 Schedule = @ Texans, Jaguars, @ Eagles, Giants, Seahawks, @ Cardinals, Titans, @ Cowboys, @ Vikings, BYE, Buccaneers, @ 49ers, @ Colts, Rams, @ Giants, Eagles, Cowboys

Blue Chippers = None

High Quality Players = HB Alfred Morris, WR DeSean Jackson, WR Pierre Garcon, LT Trent Williams, DE Jason Hatcher, OLB Brian Orakpo
Solid Contributors = QB Robert Griffin III, TE Jordan Reed, DT Barry Cofield, OLB Ryan Kerrigan, FS Ryan Clark
Impact Rookies = T Morgan Moses (3-66, Virginia)

Good News = They don’t have to send any more draft picks to the Rams.

Bad News = Washington did very little to improve a porous offensive line.

Outlook = We’ve taken plenty of pot shots at RGIII and the Redskins over the past few years, but the removal of eternally tan Mike Shanahan finally gives Washington some hope. New Head Coach Jay Gruden has vowed to not use Griffin like a change of pace runningback, and he shouldn’t come anywhere near the 120 carries he logged as a rookie. Griffin has the strongest set of skill players he’s had during his short pro career, which will also minimize the need to run. Snagging DeSean Jackson in free agency was a major coup, as he’s a perfect compliment for possession receiver Pierre Garcon. Garcon led the league in receptions, and posted his first injury free season since his rookie year with the Colts. Jordan Reed established himself as a dynamic tight end during his rookie campaign before having it cut short by a concussion. He’s the best red zone target on the team, and also is a fine target on third down. Alfred Morris figures to be the workhorse again, but Roy Helu Jr. is also poised to make a run at PPR-League relevance. The only thing that will hold the offense back is the offensive line, which if Trent Williams wasn’t manning left tackle, would rank as the worst line in football. Morgan Moses was a great get for the Redskins in the third round, as has a chance to solidify the right tackle position.

            Defensively, coordinator Jim Haslett will once again have the green light to blitz the hell out of the quarterback (the tan man restricted Haslett from pulling the blitz trigger on numerous occasions last year). This is a sound strategy, as the secondary is still extremely weak and could use help from a top-flight pass rush. Brian Orakpo delivered double-digit sacks last season, but needs to raise his play another level to make the Redskins a competent defensive team.

Prediction = We think the coaching change is worth 3 wins, DeSean is worth another one, and a healthy RGIII will push Washington over .500 in a successful bounce back campaign. 9-7

1. Philadelphia Eagles

2013 Record = 10-6, NFC East Champions, Lost NFC Wildcard Game
2014 Schedule = Jaguars, @ Colts, Redskins, @ 49ers, Rams, Giants, BYE, @ Cardinals, @ Texans, Panthers, @ Packers, Titans, @ Cowboys, Seahawks, Cowboys, @ Redskins, @ Giants

Blue Chippers = HB LeSean McCoy, LT Jason Peters, LG Evan Mathis

High Quality Players = C Jason Kelce, DE Fletcher Cox, OLB Trent Cole, CB Brandon Boykin
Solid Contributors = QB Nick Foles, HB Darren Sproles, WR Riley Cooper, TE Brent Celek, RG Todd Herremans, RT Lane Johnson, DE Cedric Thornton
Impact Rookies = WR Jordan Matthews (2-42, Vanderbilt)

Good News = Philadelphia has the strongest offensive line in the league.

Bad News = They didn’t sign anyone with a fraction of the skill set DeSean Jackson possessed.

Outlook = Chip Kelly is my favorite coach in the league, and it pains me that my beloved Cowboys have to face off against him twice a year. It’s hard to tell which is the more impressive feat, turning Nick “The Pizza Man” Foles into a franchise quarterback or rehabbing an offensive line that nearly got Michael Vick killed in 2012 into the best unit in football. Using a bullpen by committee like approach, we expect the Eagles to replace DeSean Jackson’s value without trouble. Jeremy Maclin could be a NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate, and Jordan Matthews has the raw talent to make an impact in his rookie campaign. Defensively is where the Eagles still have issues, as the secondary is still weak, and the front seven still isn’t fully suited to play in a 3-4 alignment. Philadelphia gave up the most passing yardage in the league last year (even more than the Cowboys!), and it’s unlikely that they are significantly improved this year.

Prediction = The defense isn’t Super Bowl caliber yet, so while they should handle the NFC East, they are at least a year away from serious championship contention. 10-6

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