Here at last! The 2013 NFL season kicks off Thursday September 4th in Denver, Colorado, with an AFC Championship rematch between the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens.  While this highly anticipated matchup will put fans in the bleachers, expect even more viewership for the NFC East’s kickoff weekend. Prime time is the name of the game as all four teams open their season in the nation’s spotlight. No Faith Hill this year, but it seems like we’ve been waiting all year for Sunday night.

Week 1 means divisional matchups in the NFC East and 2013, while a tumultuous year for many teams in division, poses no threat to change this annual theme. With four quality teams competing for a division title, this season could be an interesting one In the NFC’s most highly viewed section. Dallas and New York will duke it out in a rematch of the 2011 division title decider which saw the Giants move on, and the Cowboys go home. Philadelphia will take a trip South on I-95 to battle division champion Washington, and show off new looks on both sides of the ball. With so much undecided in a highly competitive division, Week 1 will go a long way in showing who is a contender, and who is a pretender in the NFC East.

Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants

Entering the game a three point underdog, the Giants will look to start its season off with a defining road win. The Cowboys will look to get out from under the Giants’ shadow with a win over the only in-division team to win a Super Bowl in the past decade. Everyone knows Dallas’ offense is talented, but the team’s downfall of a year ago was due to defensive issues. Monte Kiffin’s installation as defensive coordinator should solve Dallas’ major problem, but his unit has yet to be tested. This game will be won or lost when New York has the football, as both team’s problem-groups will be on the field simultaneously. For the Giants, problems on the offensive line leave the success of their running game in jeopardy. David Wilson must be able to set a tempo equal to that of his team’s vertical offense, or the Giants will struggle mightily. For Dallas, questions surrounding the integrity of the secondary permeate this team’s defensive hopes, a bad sign before a Week 1 meeting with one of the most explosive offensive units in football.

As the teams take the field Sunday night, watch for the matchup between Morris Claiborne and Victor Cruz as the success of either of these combatants will surely mean victory for his team. The Giants will look to run the ball with Wilson early and often, to set up play-action throws to Cruz and Hakeem Nicks. If Dallas’ new 4-3 Tampa-2 set can stifle the Giants’ high-powered offense, Dallas will be in cruise control on opening night. Fail to limit the points scored by Peyton’s little brother, and Jason Garrett could be closer to retirement than he thinks.

Prediction: Dallas’ new defensive scheme will prove too much for an injury riddled offensive line, and an inexperienced rusher. While the Giants will compete, Dallas’ high-scoring offense will prove too much for an unproven Giants’ defense.
Dallas 24 New York Giants 17

Washington Redskins vs. Philadelphia Eagles

As the first portion of the 2013 Monday Night Football double-header, two division foes will clash in a familiar setting with an unfamiliar feel. Chip Kelly ushers in a new era in Philadelphia, as the Robert Griffin III circus enters its second year in the nation’s capital. Two explosive offenses collide in what should be a volatile opener to the Monday Night Football season. Mike Shanahan will have to depend on an untested secondary to stop the creative arsenal of destruction wrought by Kelly and company. While the return of Brian Orakpo bodes well for Washington’s pass rush, if the Redskin’s secondary returns to its’ 2012 form DeAngelo Hall ‘s position group will be in for a long evening. The Eagles must exploit the youth in the Redskins’ secondary and post a high score, or Washington’s offense will prove too much for a defense learning a new scheme.

The first meeting between Shanahan and Kelly should be a high-scoring affair. Alfred Morris will make the Eagles’ defense look like a wet paper towel trying to stop a bowling ball, while LeSean McCoy , DeSean Jackson and company will look to reassert themselves as leaders of a struggling franchise. Taking down a division winner would do wonders for Philadelphia’s confidence, but is a ramshackle defense with a new identity enough to stop RGIII, Morris, and Pierre Garcon? If Cary “sconces” Williams can’t keep up with the elusive former Colt, Philadelphia will have no foundation to even attempt a stop of the Redskins’ prolific offense. Washington will use Morris and Roy Helu to establish a tempo slower than the one the Eagles’ are used to. If the Redskins are able to get in the rhythm of their offense, Griffin III and company will take their first step towards repeating as NFC East Champions.

Prediction: While this Eagles’ team looks much better than the 12-loss model from a season ago, a division win on the road against a playoff caliber opponent may be too much to ask of a defensive unit in transition. The Redskins should avoid the upset and take the win in their home opener.
Washington 27 Philadelphia 24