2008 NFC East Division NFL Predictions

(listed in order of predicted finish)

2008 Dallas Cowboys Prediction from BetVega.com: 

The Cowboys won their division last season and were the favorites in the NFC until another late season collapse.  They have all the tools, will they put it together this season?  Pacman Jones will be a boom or bust pick up.  First he has to get reinstated, which will probably happen.  Second, he has to grow up…or stay out of trouble just long enough to get a ring.  That'll be the hard part.

If he stays out of trouble, then Jones, Newman, and Jenkins will give Dallas one of the best secondaries in the NFL and bring the defense to an entirely new level.  Felix Jones is a great pick as a return man and change of pace back to compliment Barber.  The offense will be hot, but Romo needs to prove he's not a play off choke artist.  The good news is the defense should be even tougher, taking some pressure off.

The Cowboys still have to be strongly favored to win the East even with their difficult schedule, and I see them going about 13-3 if everyone stays healthy and making a serious Super Bowl run in the NFC.

2008 New York Giants Prediction from BetVega.com:

You don't care about finishing second in division when you win the Super Bowl.  The Giants put up one heck of a season.  Whether or not DE Michael Strahan retires will affect this team, since that defensive line carried them through the entire play-offs.

The Giants had a very solid draft, and are hoping it pays off like last year's unbelievable class.  There's a lot to like here, and there's no reason to believe that Eli Manning won't continue to grow as a QB, as well as many of last year's rookies.  Is a second Super Bowl likely?  That might be asking too much, but this team is definitely going to be a player for years to come.

There are a lot of games on this schedule that look like toss ups, and the G-Men could go anywhere from 8-8 to 12-4 depending how everything falls.  Estimated record: 10-6, second place in the division.

20-1 Odds to win Super Bowl 43

7-1 Odds to win the 2008-09 NFC Championship

2008 Philadelphia Eagles Prediction from BetVega.com: 

The Eagles have been active in putting themselves in a position to instantly be competitive again.  They were plagued by injuries last year, and should be a much better team than their record indicated.  Watch the trade demands of CB Lito Sheppard.  If he stays with the team and plays hard, the Eagles will be virtually impossible to pass against.

If McNabb can stay healthy, this offense can move.  WR DeSean Jackson has a good chance of contributing right away as a number three, and even more important, can help reduce Brian Westbrook's returns (and chance of being injured).  Booker is a great fit for the wide open Eagles offense, and his hands and speed will give opposing defensive coordinators fits.  There's a lot of depth from the draft.  If this team stays healthy, look for 10-6, tied for 2nd.  If not, they still have a shot to go 8-8.

35-1 Odds to win Super Bowl 43

14-1 Odds to win the 2008-09 NFC Championship

2008 Washington Redskins Prediction from BetVega.com:

The Redskins put on a rally worthy of their fallen teammate, S Sean Taylor.  No team had to endure as much tragedy as the Redskins, and after Head Coach Joe Gibbs retirement, and new defensive and offensive coordinators, Skins fans aren't sure what they have left.

While this might be the least sexy of the new head coaching hires, new coach Jim Zorn looks like a very solid coach from the Mike Holmgren coaching tree.  The Redskins are finally building a team the right way, and an excellent offense minded draft gives this team great depth and a lot of offensive firepower for the future.

How will this team transition?  They have the players for great offense from multiple sites, and a solid defense, though one with questions.  My guess is this team will go one step back before going two forward.  Don't be surprised if this team goes 6-10 or 7-9, but they will be competitive and could be a Super Bowl contender in as little as two seasons.