The Wobby Series: NFC East Preview
Mike Wobschall
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The only division in which a truly compelling case can be made for all four teams is the NFC East. This race will be a battle royale for 17 weeks from September to January. Dallas will enter as the front runner but I expect Washington to exit the regular season atop the group thanks to a salty defense, a gutty quarterback and an emerging star at running back.
Wobby’s Projected Standings
Washington Football Team
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles
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If Dak Prescott is truly back and if Ezekiel Elliott returns to form, then the Cowboys may have enough offensive firepower to run away with this division. But those are two pretty big ifs. Not only is Prescott coming back from his ankle injury, but he’s also now dealing with a shoulder situation. Plus, Dallas also needs to improve on defense. It’s possible all of these questions have been – or will be – answered in affirmative ways and, as stated earlier, then Dallas will be tough to beat. But the door is open for other teams here, just as it was last season when Washington took advantage.
It’ll be Washington again this season who stands to benefit the most from a dodgy situation in Dallas. We should also leave open the possibility that even if Dallas is sound on all fronts, WFT has done enough to build upon last season’s results to win it fair and square. Head coach Ron Rivera is a proven winner in the. NFL, his defense is sound and his front four is as good as it gets in the NFL and he has some pieces in place on offense that might just be enough to win a few high-scoring games if need be. The emerging star referenced atop this preview is Antonio Gibson. He has the makings of a complete running back…one who is a dual-threat, who can be used on all three downs, and who is a home run hitter.
The New York Giants are building methodically and appear ready to take the next step. Head coach Joe Judge has earned the chance to lead a team and has seen it done a certain way – the Bill Belichick way – so there’s ample reason to be patient with him. The Giants have their guy at the quarterback position in Daniel Jones and they’ve put explosive weapons around him. Their defense is reliable and their division is winnable. The Giants may be a year away from being a serious contender in the NFC, but they have a shot to contend for the NFC East this season if Jones continues to progress and the defense maintains or even improves a little.
There is a case to be made for Philadelphia to contend in the division this year, but I’m not drawn to it and therefore won’t make it here. To make the case, though, one would have to sell the potential of quarterback Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have put some explosive players around him, but they have a few questions upfront on the offensive line and they have a lot of questions on defense. It’s a young coaching staff, to boot, so there are just too many new wrinkles and questions marks with this group to stand firmly behind them as the pick in the NFC East this year.
In a division that is truly wide open, I side with the group that is the most solid. The group that has the least question marks. And, quite frankly, the group who is the defending champion and has conducted itself as such this offseason. That group is the Washington Football Team, and I expect them to be playing in the postseason.