For NFL franchises, it is time to wipe the slate clean. A full sixteen game schedule is in store for each of the NFC East’s four teams, and the division is wide open. Last years’ Division Champions, the Washington Redskins, will look to repeat as beast of the NFC East and take their talents to New York, the site of Super Bowl XLVIII, come February. For the Dallas Cowboys, 2012 will be about building a new identity, and possibly saving Jason Garrett’s job. The Philadelphia Eagles said goodbye to their skipper of over a decade, Andy Reid, and hired Oregon’s Chip Kelly, ushering in a new era in the city of brotherly love. And finally in the big apple, the New York Giants have retooled a dangerous offense, but question marks on defense and on the offensive line may derail the team’s bid to appear in a Super Bowl at home. With so much at stake for all four franchises, 2013 should be a fun year to watch the NFC East.
Each of the past four seasons has brought forth a different playoff contender from the NFC’s premier grouping, and 2013 has the potential to repeat that trend. Division rivals Washington and Philadelphia open the season against each-other, as do the Giants and Cowboys, setting up week 17 matchups between the Eagles and Cowboys, and Redskins and Giants. In a conference with so much parity and competition, division wins are of the utmost importance, especially in the NFC East.
Each team in the East will play their six division games, four games against the AFC West, and four games against the NFC North. The North is a highly contested division with potential to boast three playoff teams, where the AFC West is widely considered the worst division in football, despite the membership of the Denver Broncos. With strength of schedule considered, and a .500 record projected in-division, take a look at my projections for the NFC East in 2013.
It is no secret that Washington has its’ eyes set on bringing a Super Bowl to the nation’s capital, but will their schedule give them a shot at a title? In a best-case scenario, Washington will finish the season with a 10-6 record, though 9-7 would not be a surprise. The Redskins have a tough schedule, but will 10 wins be enough to repeat as NFC East Champions? Washington will have a shot to improve on their win total if they can steal a pair from one of their division opponents, if they are unable to do so, Washington must win the division as they will have no hope for a wildcard.
Michael Vick was named the starter in Philadelphia, and the veteran quarterback is fixated on achieving his ultimate goal: winning a Super Bowl. The Eagles’ schedule isn’t exactly a cake-walk, as the Birds’ will matchup against three playoff teams from 2012, in addition to their two meetings with Washington. In a best-case scenario, Philadelphia would be happy with a record of 9-7 but 8-8 seems like a more realistic probability. While this team has the potential to surprise, a playoff berth from a first-year head coach is more than can rightly be asked for from the former Oregon skipper. Unfortunately for the new-look Eagles, the degree of difficulty in their schedule may be too much for a shaky secondary and untested offense to overcome.
The Dallas Cowboys are hoping to follow defensive-guru Monte Kiffin to the Promised Land, but will they be able to overcome a loaded schedule? If Dallas performs as expected, the team will certainly be in the running for a division crown. If the Cowboys are able to go three and three in division, they should be able to achieve a respectable record of 9-7 with a shot to go 10-6. Expect big things from big d, and a potential playoff appearance from Dallas, if they take care of business in-division.
Contrary to their Texan-counterparts, no one expects much from a depleted Giants’ roster. With huge issues on the offensive line, and an undeveloped group of linebackers trying to find chemistry, the Giants will be outside looking-in on the NFC East’s playoff race. Even if the Giants’ can solve problems on defense, their schedule will prove too tough, leaving them at 7-9 if they can get a few lucky bounces, but 6-10 is well within the grasp of the retooling franchise. The Giants are known for their late-season heroics, but the devastation on their offensive line may prove too much for a team in a period of transition.
Can the Washington Redskins repeat as division champions? Or will this finally be the year Tony Romo steps up for Dallas. Will it finally be Michael Vick ‘s time to shine? Or can Eli Manning bring his third ring to the city that never sleeps. The NFC East looks to continue its’ trend of close playoff races, and 2013 should be no different. With changes taking place on all four rosters, the NFC East has never been more up in the air than in the upcoming season. Regardless, the Redskins look primed for another Super Bowl run, so expect the NFC East’s division crown to return to the District of Columbia.