In recent years, the NFC East has been tougher to predict than the Republican nominee for Vice President. The Eagles brought in Nnamdi Asomugha, and closer ear to Donovan McNabb next time.
But if you had to choose a winner in the division that gives the NFL salary cap man Inception-esque nightmares, who would it be? For numberFire’s fake money (if, you know, gambling was legal as Bill Simmons loves to say), put it down on the men in green. But don’t feel too confident in that choice.
NFC East Predictions
1. turn into the Molinas of the NFL may make or break the season in the linebacking corps.
2. somewhat awkward SNL appearances, how about the Giants have another? Not so fast my friend. We’re not even sure they’ll hit the 10 win plateau. Granted, they finished 9-7 last season and won it all, but in the five seasons from 2006 through 2010, there were only a total of five teams that won divisions with less than 10 wins. (And one of those was the second-worst team in playoff history.) Feeling blue(r than normal) Giants fans? Don’t feel too down, with the way the schedule breaks down, the Giants actually have a lower projected record than Philly, but a higher chance at a Super Bowl than anyone else in the division.
3. simply can’t accept failure again, with the implication being for Cowboys’ fans, “Oh, well I guess Jerry’s really trying this year then!†Like he wasn’t the past couple years, I guess. But the numberFire rankings say there might just be too much to overcome at the top. The NFC comes into this season especially top-heavy; the Cowboys are the 8th best team in the conference. (Only 4 AFC teams crack the top 4 – NE, BAL, PIT, HOU). A lot of it may just be health for the Cowboys – Incredible Hulk action figures in his locker being scrutinized. But for Washington, it probably won't be enough. The Redskins’ defense may not be Hulk-like, but it isn’t really half bad… it’s exactly half bad, directly in the middle at 16th of our NFL defensive rankings. The offense, though, looks like its been Hulk-smashed – the offensive skill player with the highest FireFactor is Roy Helu at 47.86. By comparison, the Giants' and Cowboys’ offenses both have four skill players who are expected to have a higher offensive contribution. And the Eagles’ McCoy is projected to have nearly 400 more all-purpose yards. It’s going to be rough going for Washington this year.