Projected NFL Standings: NFC EAST EDITION
The NFC East was the worst division in football last year. The Eagles earned the division title after going 9-7. This year will be a different story. While the records should improve, the division will still be a two-team race.
Dallas Cowboys: (11-5)
The Cowboys were a huge disappointment last season. A team that scored the 6th most points and were in 11th in points allowed should have managed a record better than 8-8. The talent is there for the Cowboys they just need to put it all together. Maybe coaching was the issue all along and Mike McCarthy will solve all the problems. With one of the easier schedules in the NFL and the plethora of talent on the roster, 2020 should be the Cowboys year. Not only did the Cowboys manage to keep Amari Cooper on a five-year deal, but they also got Dak Prescott another weapon when they selected Ceedee Lamb 17th overall in the NFL Draft. The offense looks great. A big play tight end would make this one of the best offenses in the league. Right now, Blake Jarwin is set to start and he's just alright.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cowboys will need to replace Byron Jones in the secondary. The draft selection of Trevon Diggs should help. The Cowboys also improved the safety position by adding Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The interior defensive line should be stout after adding both Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy. Overall, the Cowboys have more than enough talent to win the division.
Philadelphia Eagles: (9-7)
The Eagles were victims of a ton of injures last season. Even with the injuries on the offensive side of the ball, Carson Wentz carried the Eagles to a division title. Coming into the offseason, the Eagles had a good roster but a few glaring needs. One of those was the secondary. The Eagles addressed the cornerback by trading for Darius Slay and signing Nickell Robey-Coleman. The moves should help, but the safety position still scares me. The signing of Will Parks wasn't enough to fix the safety position. The Eagles could also use another veteran linebacker.
The other glaring need was the wide receiver position. The Eagles drafted wideout, Jalen Reagor 21st overall. I like the player but I would have liked to see the Eagles do more to address the position. DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jefferey have proven to be injury-prone. Having a good offensive line led by Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson, as well as a couple great tight ends should take a lot of the pressure off the receivers. Wentz will also continue to elevate the guys around him. All in all, this team feels between a 9 and 11 win football team. The Cowboys have more talent, but the Eagles could definitely repeat as division champs.
New York Giants: (5-11)
The Giants had one of the worst defenses in football last season. I don't see the defense improving too much this season. Keeping Leonard Williams on the franchise tag was a good move, but other than that I don't see a lot of chance for improvement. Drafting safety Xavier McKinney in the second round will the Giants another young guy in the secondary. The hope all the young guys in the secondary take a big step forward this season.
On offense, there's a more promising outlook for this season. If 4th overall pick, Andrew Thomas, can fill the void at left or right tackle the Giants will have a much better offensive line. A good offensive line would add to a good receiving group, a great running back group, and a decent tight end group. The key will be how Daniel Jones performs in his second year. He showed some flashes last year, but this will be the year we see if he can really play. The Giants just aren't good on defense, and I don't think the offense is at a level to where they can overcome that. A 5-11 record sounds about right.
Washington Redskins: (2-14)
The Redskins couldn't score last year. They also couldn't stop anyone from scoring. A horrible recipe for winning football games. The Redskins earned the number 1 pick. With the pick, the Redskins got edge rusher Chase Young. Yes, he was the best player in the draft, but it wasn't a position they really needed. With that being said, Young should help improve everyone on the defensive line. The pass rush should be a good one. The cornerback position needed some improvements after losing Quinton Dunbar. Ronald Darby and Kendall Fuller were both brought in to fill the void. I like Fuller, but I don't know if he's enough. The position lacks depth. The signing of Thomas Davis Sr. means the off-ball linebacker will most likely be Davis Sr. and Jon Bostic. Not great considering Davis Sr. is an aging player.
The offense struggled even more than defense last year. I expect Dwayne Haskins to play well, but the weapons around him will hold him back. The Redskins have an up and coming widout with Terry McLaurin, but they don't have much else at the position. The tight end position is even weaker. Haskins won't have much of a safety net over the middle of the field. The Redskins need to improve on both sides of the ball before they can improve much record-wise.
We'll look at the NFC West next! Let me know if you agree or disagree.
