Divisions to Watch in 2017 Part 5 NFC East

Divisions to Watch in 2017 Part 5 NFC East

Robert Knuckles

“Best division to Watch in Football”

For the past couple of years the NFC East was seen as a weak division in football but after watching it last year it had become very competitive and this coming year should be even more interesting to watch.

1. Dallas Cowboys

In 2015 The Dallas Cowboys were 4-12 making them last in the NFC East but with that 4-12 record got the Cowboys a high pick in the 2016 draft. The Cowboys got running back Ezekiel Elliott from Oklahoma. Arguably the best running back from last year’s draft. People around the NFL was giving huge praises for the Cowboys. Tony Romo with the best offensive line, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and new running back Elliott was going to make a huge noise in the NFL but during the pre-season Romo suffered a back fracture injury against the Seahawks. Seeing Romo injured wasn’t good news for Cowboys fans until a young star named Dak Prescott came into the picture

Prescott was a fourth round pick that many people believed to be the second string quarterback to Tony Romo but Prescott soon took the league by storm. Prescott lost his season debut against the Giants but won 11 straight eventually having a 13-3 record being first in the NFC.

Prescott’s numbers for a rookie were incredible completing 67.8 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,667 yards and throwing for 23 touchdowns to 4 interceptions. Prescott’s partner in crime Elliot had a great rookie season rushing for 1,631 yards.

These two rookies led the Cowboys to the divisional round of the playoffs where they fell short to Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Despite them losing Prescott led a huge comeback to tie the score before the Packers won by a field goal.

The Cowboys offense was just spectacular but their weakness was their defense and it showed in the playoffs, while their offense can compete against big time teams their defense had their troubles.

In the off season the Cowboys lost cornerbacks Morris Claiborne and Brandon Carr. They also lost veteran safety Barry Church. The Cowboys signed veteran cornerback Nolan Carroll but it wasn’t enough to fill in the other huge roles.

In the draft the Cowboys got defensive end Taco Charlton to help with their pass rush. In the second round they drafted cornerback Chidobe Awuzie who can potentially start.

The Cowboys did address their problems but they are asking a lot from their rookies. Can these rookie cornerbacks make a huge impact? We’ll have to see.

2. New York Giants

In 2015 the Giants probably had the worst defense in the league. In the off season the Giants spent $200 million on cornerback Janoris Jenkins aka Jack Rabbit, defensive end Olivier Vernon and defensive tackle Damon Harrison. Now question comes to mind is that is the money worth these additions? Answer to that is… yes. Giants defense became one of the best in the league. Not only did the free agency signings helped but the Giants also drafted cornerback Eli Apple last year and second year safety Landon collins had a breakout year becoming an all pro safety. Dominic Rodger Cromartie had a good year as well. The offense under Ben Mcadoo was still good. Eli Manning had weapons in wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard and Victor Cruz coming back from a devastating knee injury. Now despite all these weapons the offense line was bad, there was no running game and Eli didn’t have the best year.

In the off season Giants released Cruz and Rashad Jennings and signed veteran receiver Brandon Marshall which was one of the biggest moves this offseason. Brandon Marshall is itching to make his playoff debut and he might just do that with the Giants this year. Not only is Marshall a great addition but he can also be a mentor for Odell. In the draft Giants got tight end Evan Engram making the case that for the first time in his career Eli Manning has four great weapons and giving defenses big trouble.

Many people say that the Giants defense are the Cowboys Kryptonite last year but will the Cowboys finally get the upper hand on the Giants? We’ll have to see.

3. Washington Redskins

This could be a surprise for some people. With their general manager Scot McCloughan being this off season the franchise seems to be sinking and with the handling of Kirk Cousins contract doesn’t look good. To make matters worse they lost Desean Jackson and Pierre Garcon two huge targets for Cousins.

In free agency the Redskins signed wide receiver Terrelle Pryor from the Browns on a one year prove it deal. They still have Jordan Reed, Fat Rob and Josh Doctson. In the draft Redskins addressed a serious need in defense. Redskins drafted defensive end Jonathan Allen and his teammate linebacker Ryan Anderson. These two can be potential starters and help this defense. This team can be a sleeper in the NFC East

4. Philadelphia Eagles

Another sleeper of the NFC East. The Eagles were off to a good start with a 3-0 record with rookie quarterback Carson Wentz but everything started falling apart after the bye week and finished 7-9.

The Eagles got busy in the off season. They got rid of Connor Barwin due to his performance. They signed defensive end Super Bowl Champ Chris Long to replace Barwin. They also acquired defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan in a trade who’s excited to play in a Jim Schwartz's defense. The Eagles did have trouble with sacking the quarterback. They would create the pressure but just not finish.

Eagles got weapons for Wentz by signing receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith to help take the pressure off Jordan Matthews. Eagles probably had the worst wide receiver core due to A LOT of dropped passes. The Eagles also got guard Chance Warmack to add more depth to the offensive line.

In the draft Eagles got defensive end Derek Barnett who broke the legendary Reggie White’s sack record. In the second round Eagles surprisingly got cornerback Sidney Jones who suffered an achilles injury at his Pro Day. It’s been said that Jones was the best cornerback in the draft before suffering his injury. Now he might not play this season but it’s about future and the Eagles might have gotten their future cornerback. In the third round Eagles draft another cornerback in Rasul Douglas who could potentially start but he’ll be competing against Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson.

After the draft Eagles still needed a running back. Ryan Mathews can’t stay healthy and doesn’t seem to be he’ll be on the Eagles roster this year. Surprisingly Eagles signed two-timed Super Bowl Champ running back Legarrette Blount. Blount is a huge upgrade at running back. He’s a strong runner and can run up the middle and can set the tone for other running backs in Wendell Smallwood and Darren Sproles. This is a different time from last year and expect the Eagles to make some noise this year.  

In the end every team has a shot to win this division. It might be the toughest and most funniest division to watch. The NFC East has to face the AFC West and the NFC West so their schedule will be a lot tougher.

Now every team does have a weak point. Dallas with their secondary. They lost three of their starters and Nolan Carroll got arrested recently so he might be suspended. So can these rookies make an impact?

The Giants do have weapons on the offensive side of the ball but what about their offensive line and running game?

The situation going on with the Washington Redskins. Can Kirk Cousins come through at big moments and get them over the hump? And after what happened in the off season does Cousins want to even play in Washington?

Philadelphia Eagles secondary still might be a problem. You have two good safeties in Rodney Mccloud and Malcolm Jenkins but they have two rookies and a second year player in Mills. Robinson is the only real cornerback veteran, so teams might target the secondary a lot.

The whole Nation should pay attention to the NFC East. Just like cornerback Josh Norman said “It’s going to be a battle.”