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NFC East Preview - 2009
Giants Remain on Top
Perhaps no division in football represents the "on any given day" attitude better than the NFC East. Year after year it seems to be the most competitive, toughest division in the entire NFL. 2009-2010 figures to follow suit as the Giants Eagles and Cowboys all look like contenders once again with the Redskins improving as each week passes. Here, we will take a look at each team in the NFC East along with their betting odds to win the division. We won't be going out on any limbs with our pick, which will be the Giants.
New York Giants (Odds
to Win NFC East +150) After beginning the year with a record of 11-1,
the Giants stumbled down the stretch and took an early exit in the playoffs.
The offensive and defensive lines both suffered setbacks from the 2007 Super
Bowl winning season. WR Plaxico Burress infamously shot himself with his own
gun, and is facing charges. He may not return this year. Things aren’t all
bad though. Eli Manning is as good as ever. He no longer lives in his older
brother’s shadow. The Mississippi alum needs one of the new WRs to emerge as
a star. First round draft pick WR Hakeem Nicks looks up for the job. He did
an excellent job at North Carolina, and possesses great physical assets.
The Giants are a straightforward and conservative team that loves to run the
ball. They lead the league in yards last year at 2,518. RB Brandon Jacobs
accounted for the largest part of that number. This team is very strong all
around. As previously noted, they have to come up with a marquee WR in order
to make a run back to the Super Bowl. Look for the New York Giants to win 12
games and make big noise in the NFC East.
Philadelphia Eagles (Odds
to Win NFC East +180) No longer the beast of the East, the Eagles have
tailed off since going to the Super Bowl in 2004. They rallied down the
stretch last year to earn a wildcard bid to the playoffs, and knocked off
divisional rival New York in the first round. Donavan McNabb isn’t getting
any younger, but is still a solid player. He has never really had great
receivers during his career. He connected to 11 different players for TDs
last year. Andy Reid was pass happy last year, and if he relies more on the
run it will take the burden off McNabb.
Although Brian Dawkins is now with the Denver Broncos, the defense is very
strong. The defensive line is deep and very experienced. The secondary is
also tough. Assante Samuel does a great job of shutting receivers down at WR.
The Eagles ranked a dismal 22nd in Red Zone TD% last season. Improving in
that category would undoubtedly help them to get more wins. As previously
stated, they also must do a better job of committing to the run. The
Philadelphia Eagles will probably win 10 games and make it back to the
playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys (Odds
to Win NFC East +275) Tony Romo and Jessica Simpsons are no more, so
that means the Cowboys will emerge as the top team we always knew they could
be, right? Not quite. This team is a perennial underperformer, and they have
not won a single playoff game this decade. Romo must emerge as a leader and
do a better job in big games. He threw three interceptions and gave up a
fumble in a 20-13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Drama queen Terrell Owens
is no longer with the team, and this can be viewed as a good thing. He was
doing more bad than good.
Special Teams is the weakest unit for the Dallas Cowboys. This team ranked
30th in punt returns last year and only 21st in kick returns. They are weak
on coverage, and P Mat McBriar has had injury problems. Marion Barber and
Felix Jones will have to do a better job at RB. The Cowboys ranked 21st in
rushing last year, and must do a better job in that area. The Dallas Cowboys
have many good players, but that hasn’t added up to playoff wins in recent
years. I’m wary of their chances in a deep and contentious division.
Washington Redskins (Odds
to Win NFC East +500) The Redskins were all the rage in free agency,
signing DT Albert Haynesworth to a fat contract. He should help to improve a
defense that ranked 28th in sacks last year, but 4th in total defense. They
showed little confidence in QB Jason Campbell when they tried to pursue Jay
Cutler. This should concern fans and potential bettors. Campbell is still
young, and could show signs of improvement this year. Clinton Portis is an
excellent RB and could run for big yards if the offensive line holds up.
Santana Moss is the best WR ion this team. He led the Redskins in yards
receiving yards and touchdowns in 2008.The defensive line was good without
Haynesworth, and will be even better with him on their side. The Redskins
need to improve in the secondary. They ranked 17th in interceptions and
turnover difference last year. The special teams also need improvement.
While they spent big cash in free agency, the Redskins are still a few
pieces away from being a true contender. Look for them to repeat last year’s
record of 8-8.