The Philadelphia Eagles surprised a lot of people last season by winning the NFC East. This year, the race to the top of the division is tighter than ever with all four teams having a good chance of winning the title, if only because no team seems to have all the pieces to dominate.The Eagles maybe the favorites this year but don’t rule out the Cowboys, Giants and Redskins making a run at the division crown this time around.
It’s football time at least. Read on for all the key storylines in the NFC East and check out our complete predictions for the 2014-2015 season, and if you’re the type to play fantasy football, check out our odds-driven breakdown of the best sleepers of the 2014-2015 fantasy season.
[sc:Football ]2014 NFC East Preview
Can the Eagles continue their winning run this season?
Few people expected the Eagles to contend right away last season especially after the departure of long-time coach Andy Reid who ended his 13-year association with the club in 2012. Chip Kelly arrived with impressive credentials, having coached the University of Oregon to three Pac-12 conference championships and four BCS game appearances, but many doubted his ability to translate his offensive wizardry from the college ranks to the pros.
[sc:NFL240banner ]So much for that. The Eagles dominated offensive stats, leading the league in rushing with 160.4 yards per game last year as well as ranking ninth in the passing yards department with a 256.9 yard per game average, thanks in large part to Kelly’s up-tempo style of offense.
Much will depend on the play of their quarterback Nick Foles who produced an impressive performance last season in his second year for the club. In ten games as a starter last year, he racked up an 8-2 SU record with 2,891 yards on 203-for-317 passing (64%) with 27 touchdowns, two interceptions and a league-best 119.2 QB rating. With teams now familiar with Kelly’s up-tempo style, it is up to Foles to adjust in what will be a defining season for him.
Kelly and Foles will have a tougher road ahead of them this season with the Eagles playing a brutal first place schedule. Add to that the fact that they no longer have star wide receiver Desean Jackson who was run out of town by Kelly and the Eagles (+115) will have to dig deep if they are to retain their division title.
Can the Giants and Cowboys contend this time around?
The New York Giants failed to make the playoffs for their second-straight year last season as their struggles at the beginning of the campaign proved to be too much to overcome. They had a disastrous 0-6 SU start wherein their opponents outscored them 209-103 and much of the blame was assigned to quarterback Eli Manning who had one of his worst seasons as a professional.
He threw a league-worst 27 interceptions while posting a paltry 57.5 percent completion rate which was his least accurate season passing-wise in six years. It was also the first time since his rookie season that he threw less than 20 TD passes (18).
To reinvigorate Manning’s career, the Giants decided to shake up their coaching staff, replacing offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride with former Green Bay quarterback coach Ben McAdoo. The question now is can Manning rekindle the form that won him two Super Bowl titles back in 2008 and 2011.
Apart from that, the Giants (+250) splashed the cash this past offseason signing ex-Broncos cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and ex-Seahawks cornerback Walter Thurmond as they made it a priority to strengthen their secondary this time around and will be crucial in the NFC East.
The Dallas Cowboys, on the other hand, continued their run of middling form last year, as they finished with their third consecutive 8-8 season, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight time.
Romo actually had a solid season last year, throwing for 3,828 yards and 31 touchdowns with a completion rate of 63.9%. The problem for the Cowboys last season was on the defensive end as they allowed a mind-boggling 415 total yards per game, worst in the entire NFL.
It won’t help matters that middle linebacker Sean Lee is out for the entire season with a torn ACL. Lee, who just signed a $51 million extension last season, is vital to the Cowboys’ defense having led the team in tackles in 2011 despite having a wrist injury at that time. He then finished fourth on the team in 2012 with 77 tackles despite him suiting up for only six games and led the team last year in interceptions with four to his name.
With Lee out and the defense once again suspect, much of the responsibility will once again fall on the offense and on the shoulders of Tony Romo in particular. Can he stay healthy though the entire year? If he can’t, the Cowboys (+390) are in deep trouble.
Key Player – Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins)
The whole Redskins fan base knows it. Their entire season depends on the form of their quarterback Robert Griffin III. Where he goes, they go.
Griffin began last season with uncertainty as he recovered from the ACL and LCL injuries he suffered against the Seahawks in the 2012 NFC Divisional Round game. Although he was on the field to start the 2013 season, Griffin appeared tentative at times and looked to be not quite ready yet for actual competition. When the Redskins fell by the wayside and out of contention, former Mike Shanahan decided to put an early end to Griffin’s season.
That decision could be a turning point for the entire Redskins franchise especially if Griffin can rediscover the explosive form that launched his NFL career back in 2012. Back then, he rushed for 815 yards as he confounded defenses with his speed. The Redskins reached the playoffs for the first time after spending four years at the bottom of the NFC East standings.
A healthy Griffin will work wonders for Washington (+400 to win the division) and their playoff hopes rest on that promise.
Key Game – Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (Week 17, December 28)
It will be a battle of the quarterbacks as veteran Eli Manning tries to prove that he’s not done yet as he faces off with Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that could easily decide the division. The two had contrasting seasons last year with the young upstart outperforming the two-time Super Bowl winner.
The Eagles are 4-1 SU in their last five games at New York and that will serve them in good stead ahead of this crucial matchup at the end of the season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Eagles (+115) build on their success last season and win their second consecutive NFC East title. Create a betting account now and cash in on the NFC East.
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