ZB NFL Preview 2013: NFC East

The “Toughest Division in Football” will again be a closely bunched group in 2013. The Washington Redskins return in 2013 with one of the most dynamic young players in the league and take another shot at the postseason with their steady and effective running game. The Giants look to return to a top spot in the division by sticking to what has worked in the past and counting on key players getting healthy. The pressure is on in Dallas, as it is playoffs or bust, while the Eagles introduce a new head coach and innovative offensive scheme. This division is, once again, destined to come down to the season’s last couple weeks.

Washington Redskins

The Optimist:

Redskins fans hope that the return of a healthy Robert Griffin III (RGIII) leads to a repeat NFC East division title in 2013. There is good reason to believe this is possible. RGIII and fellow 2012 rookie Alfred Morris led the Redskins to the most potent running attack in the NFL just a year ago. Morris, a 1600-yard rusher in 2012, has spent the offseason sharpening his reads and cuts in the Shanahan-clan’s read option offensive system. He trailed only Adrian Peterson in rushing yards last year. To further this optimism, the team returns all five starting offensive linemen and get tight end Fred Davis back from suspension and dynamic wide receiver, Pierre Garcon, back from injury. While the team will largely be the same from 2012, key players Kory Lichtensteiger (guard), Sav Rocca (punter), and Kedric Golston (defensive end) return through renewed contracts to take another shot at the NFC East and returning to the postseason.

The Pessimist:

Another damaging hit looks to spell disaster for RGIII and the Redskins chance at regaining the top spot in the division. While the pistol/read option was a highly effective formation in 2012, it does expose the Redskins’ top signal caller to possibly debilitating hits from opposing defenses. While RGIII has been announced as the week one starter, the question remains if the offense will be firing on all cylinders because of his lack of practice and preseason work. Further doubt creeps into thoughts of a repeat when you consider the defense finished 28th overall and the team hasn’t done anything noticeable to improve that part of the team because of salary cap penalties passed out last year.

The Realist:

While the offense and team’s outlook seems to hinge on one player, the Shanahans scheme to make it work with solid run game and repeat as division champs. The ‘Skins go 9-7 against a tough schedule and edge the Giants for bragging rights in the NFC East.

New York Giants

The Optimist:

The 2012 season for the New York Giants looked bright through the halfway point. Then the slide began. Key injuries to impact players wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul seemed to derail the former Super Bowl Champions and fizzle their chances for the rest of the season. The good news for 2013 is that those players are back, healthy and ready to prove that 2012 was merely a bump in the road for an otherwise talented and determined team. Promising second-year player David Wilson stands to inherit a larger share of the running attack. In the passing game, Nicks enters a contract season looking to break the bank in free agency if his performance aligns with his ability. The G-men signed Nicks’ opposite Victor Cruz in the offseason. Combined they field one of the top wide receiver duos in the NFL. On defense, Pierre-Paul is healed from 2012 ailments and sets out to defend his reputation as one of the league’s premier pass rushers. Corey Webster, cornerback, looks to have a bounce back season and the team adds run stuffing defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins from divisional rival Philadelphia. With no changes in scheme, impact players at full strength, and young talent coming into its own, the New York Football Giants are right in the mix for the top spot in the NFC East.

The Pessimist: The team could be considered complacent. Essentially no changes other than letting underrated running back Ahmad Bradshaw and veteran defensive end Osi Umenyiora exit the team after a disappointing season. Former Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning doesn’t appear to be the same passer when Nicks is injured, which has been frequently as of late. Justin Tuck appears to be on the downswing of his career which isn’t a good sign for a unit that surrendered the second most yards to opposing NFL offenses in 2012. With flashy playmakers on other teams in the division, there is good reason the Giants are going under the radar.

The Realist: The team gets healthy and bounces back with experience head coach Tom Coughlin at the helm as the team heads for a 9-7 finish.

Dallas Cowboys

The Optimist:

During the off season, Dallas Cowboys signed up starting quarterback Tony Romo to the tune of a $108 million dollar contract renewal. Romo leads a cast of star-studded offensive playmakers into 2013 and, hopefully, a chance at the postseason. Jason Witten, Dez Bryant, and Miles Austin make up a talented but sometimes fragile group of receivers while DeMarco Murray seeks to be Dallas’ primary rusher while staying healthy. The passing game will definitely be the emphasis; Witten led all tight ends last year with 110 receptions, Austin (again, when healthy) can be a fast, physical pass catcher and Bryant, after some personal distractions earlier in his career, is an uber-talented, budding superstar with all of the physical talents to among the best in the league. On defense, owner Jerry Jones fired former defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and replaced him with experienced Monte Kiffin. Kiffin, 73, is switching the base defensive scheme from the 3-4 to the 4-3, which should benefit impact defensive players DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer. The pressure is on, as Dallas leadership has made investments in players and expects to return to the playoffs and play a part in the outcome of the NFC East.

The Pessimist:

The song remains the same in Big D – star talent, mediocre results. It is pretty clear if head coach, Jason Garrett, doesn’t make the playoffs he is most likely let go. Jones stripped Garrett of play calling duties in the offseason, which adds to Jones’ reputation as the biggest meddling, micro-managing owner in the National Football League. While Romo has put up numbers statistically to rank him in lofty company, he has the tendency to choke in big spots. Protecting Romo is a shaking offensive line that has had Romo sacked 72 times over the past two seasons. While this team has the potential to put up offensive fireworks and highlight-reel plays, inconsistency and health will hold it back.

Realist:

The Jason Garrett era in Dallas ends as the Cowboys miss the playoffs for a third straight season. While the team has promising talent, the rest of the NFC East is too talented for a playoff push. The Cowboys finish with an 8-8 record to end the season.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Optimist:

The Philadelphia Eagles parted ways with long-time head coach, Andy Reid, in the offseason. Replacing him is Chip Kelly, former head coach at the University of Oregon. Kelly, 49, is widely known as an innovator in the college ranks and he promises to bring a version of an up-tempo, high-play frequency offense he used with great success at the college level. The good news is, at least on offense, he has plenty of talented players to begin the installation of this system. According to most accounts, the quarterback competition between Michael Vick and Nick Foles seems to have worked. Kelly has coaxed the best attributes out of Vick who has won the starting job. Another positive for Philly, they have one of the most talented offensive lines in all of football. While coming off significant injuries in 2012, the offensive line has the potential to protect Vick and pave the way for offensive weapons LeSean McCoy, running back, and DeSean Jackson, wide receiver. If things work their way, Philly will be on the winning side of fast-paced victories in 2013.

The Pessimist:

Like in 2012, the 2013 Philadelphia Eagles have seen a rash of impactful injuries already. Wide receivers Jeremy Maclin and Arrelious Benn and linebackers Jason Phillips and Philip Hunt all have gotten hurt already. Last year, the Eagles were one of the worst units in all of football on defense – ranking dead last in creating turnovers, while also allowing more touchdown passes (33) than any other team. While they will change their base defensive scheme from 4-3 to 3-4, this side of the ball will clearly be in transition and most likely a big weakness. To pile on, the Eagles lost veteran secondary players Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the offseason. While the Eagles will clearly score points, opposing offenses should have no problem doing the same against an Eagles defense implementing a new scheme and lacking elite NFL talent and depth.

The Realist:

The Eagles are out to show the rest of the NFL that an up-tempo, quick-strike spread attack can work. While it might, their defense isn’t nearly at the level needed to compete in the NFC East or even a .500 record. Philly goes 6-10 this season.