NFL NUGGETS : Giants edge Cowboys for NFC East crown
Posted on Thursday, July 3, 2008
Editor's Note: This is the first installment of an eight-part series previewing the division races of the upcoming NFL season. Next week, the AFC East. In its history, the NFC East has been the Division of Champions. And it may be again.
Not only did the NFC East give us the conference's top seed in the playoffs last season, it also gave us the Super Bowl championship team.
While the Dallas Cowboys finished with the NFC's top record, the New York Giants got the last laugh. Tom Coughlin's team won three straight road playoff games (including a divisional win at Dallas ) on its way to a monumental upset of New England in the Super Bowl. I'm thinking that New York keeps the good times rolling in the upcoming regular season. I have the Giants winning 12 games, just edging out Dallas' wild-card 11. It's unfortunate for Philadelphia and Washington that they play in a division with two such juggernaut teams. The Redskins and Eagles are both more than capable squads, and either team could probably win the NFC West. Can the East repeat its threeplayoff-team performance from 2007 ?
NFL Nuggets NFC East Predicted Order of Finish 1. New York (12-4 ): The Giants put on one of the best exhibitions of defensive line pressure in NFL history in the Super Bowl win over the Patriots. Ah, it warmed the cockles of my heart. But now that Michael Strahan is with FOX Sports, will the Giants' defense still be able to dominate ? I think so. End Osi Umenyiora was arguably the best defensive player in the league last year, and Justin Tuck showed that he can put a beating on the QB as well. While Manning, Burress and Co. might not be the most explosive offense, they seemed to always come through in the clutch last season. I don't see why the Giants can't win another Lombardi Trophy this year. 2. Dallas (11-5 ): Dallas has become a trendy pick to not only win the division, but also win the Super Bowl this year. With all the talent coming back, it's easy to see why.
Being considered a toss-up or a favorite over the defending Super Bowl champs says a lot about how far the Cowboys have come, but that doesn't ease the pain of last year's home playoff loss to their division rivals.
Quarterback Tony Romo is a celebrity off the field, and on the field he can make some superstar throws. He also has the league's top wide receivertight end tandem in the league (Terrell Owens and Jason Witten ) to throw to.
With former Razorback Felix Jones now backing up bulldog RB Marion Barber, Dallas fields the NFC's most fearsome offense. LB Demarcus Ware leads a defense that's not too shabby, either.
3. Philadelphia (9-7 ): For injury-prone quarterback Donovan McNabb, last season had to considered a success health-wise. McNabb missed two games and most of a third with an ankle injury, but showed off his great passing skills when was on the field.
If McNabb can stay healthy, this team can make a run. He may be in his last go-round with the team, and will want to make it count.
While vets McNabb and running back Brian Westbrook give the Eagles a chance to win every game they play, Philly has finally started to restock an aging defense with young talent. Look for big years from young players like DTs Broderick Bunkley and Mike Patterson and pass-rushing LB Chris Gocong.
4. Washington (6-10 ): The Redskins have some good things going on right now, but will they be enough to surmount all the talent ahead of them in their own division ?
I like new coach Jim Zorn's sic- 'em attitude. His team will have to be tenacious to contend in the NFC East minefield.
When former Auburn Tiger Jason Campbell went down with three games left in the season, veteran Todd Collins stepped in at quarterback and was solid (5 TDs, 0 INTs ). Campbell had a pretty good season going as well, so the Redskins at least know they have depth under center going into the 2008 campaign.
• • • Offensive MVP: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas. Defensive MVP: LaRon Landry, SS, Washington. Top Rookie: Kenny Phillips, FS, NY Giants. Breakout Player: Chris Cocong, LB, Philadelphia. Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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