We now switch over the the NFC side of the bracket, with our first stop in the NFC East. There’s been plenty of upheaval in this division over the last few seasons, but I think some recent coaching changes and a few new players are going to settle everything down to a more predictable standard.
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Here’s your code key for this year’s 2016-17 GMS NFL Football Preview : Z = Clinches home field advantage, Y = Clinches division, X = Clinches wild card spot
Y – New York Giants: 12-4
The Giants lost so many games in the final minute or so last season, there was no question that somebody’s head would roll. That head just happened to belong to Tom Coughlin. Ben McAdoo moves over from offensive coordinator to head coach with one of the most potent offenses in the league. The Giants have just gotten better with the addition of rookie wideout Sterling Shepard and the return of Victor Cruz to the line up.
New York added a few key defensive upgrades too, in Olivier Vernon and Darian Thompson. They also should have a full speed Jason Pierre-Paul with use of both his hands this season. The Giants are always a scary team when they make the playoffs and this year the NFC needs to be very afraid.
Last year: 6-10, did not make the playoffs
X – Dallas Cowboys: 10-6
That’s right. I’m picking Dak Prescott to Wally Pipp Tony Romo and lead the Dallas Cowboys into the playoffs as a rookie. Prescott falling to the Cowboys is the luckiest thing that happened to them since they Jimmy Johnson decided to bench Steve Walsh for Troy Aikman in 1989.
Romo texted Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril, “See you in the playoffs” and that will probably happen. Romo will probably have plenty of time to catch up with the guy that knocked him out of Dallas for good from the bench.
The Cowboys are loaded, top to bottom, on offense and Prescott should be the X-Factor in any game he plays in. What they cant’ count on is their defense, which is still going to be the team’s downfall. They’ll average 35 points a game and make the playoffs, but their defense will be why they’ll make a quick exit.
Last year: 4-12, did not make the playoffs
Washington Redskins: 8-8
The rug is about to be pulled out from under the Redskins in a major way. They’ll be better at every single position on the field this year, but will still miss the playoffs. The reason is simple; they had no business being in the playoffs last year. It’s time to fall back into the loving arms of reality.
Washington was a 6-10 team that benefited by the historic collapse of their entire division. All they did with that opportunity is barely win it before a quick playoff exit. Some people look at this roster, and its head coach Jay Gruden, and see a team that will contend again in 2016. Those people are wrong. Kirk Cousins is a decent quarterback, but not an elite guy and will likely not come close to putting up the numbers he did in 2015.
Last year: 9-7, lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-10
Philadelphia had a chance at a .500 record until they traded Sam Bradford Saturday morning. And I’m not saying they shouldn’t have. They robbed the effing bank with that move, but there’s no doubt that throwing rookie Carson Wentz into the fire will cost them a couple of games they would have otherwise won. The good thing for the Eagles, at least, they no longer have any quarterback controversy and can get to developing Wentz full time.
In the mean time the Eagles have actually had a tremendous offseason of player acquisition, even with the trade with the Cleveland Browns to draft Wentz. Wentz was my pick as the No. 2 pro-ready quarterback in the draft behind only Dak Prescott in my final rankings. Now both guys will be behind center Week One.
Last year: 7-9, did not make the playoffs
