Predictions for the 2009 NFC East Division
Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb Will Take the Eagles to the Playoffs
Sep 10, 2009 Derek J Griebenow
The Philadelphia Eagles are the only team in the NFC East that will start the season confident in their offense. Although the Cowboys and Giants will eventually find their identities at the receiver position, the early jitters will cost them the division.
The 2009 NFC East Division should end up looking something like this:
Philadelphia Eagles 11-5 +/- 1 win
New York Giants 10-6 +/- 1 win
Washington Redskins 8-8 +/- 1 win
Dallas Cowboys 7-9 +/- 2 wins
The Eagles will be on the hunt for their 8th playoff appearance in the last 10 years in 2009. And they have just the team to do it.
2009 Eagles Bottom Line
The Eagles have a little more to play for this season following the death of their beloved defensive coordinator, Jim Johnson. Johnson died at age 68 of cancer in late July, defensive backs coach, Sean McDermott, will assume the role of coordinator.
Defense has been a big part of the Eagles success the last 10 years as they dominated opponents again in 2008. Their defense ranked 3rd overall (3rd vs pass, 4th vs run), and they kept opponents out of the end zone ranking 4th in scoring defense; which is a good thing since the Eagles ranked 22nd in offensive red zone percentage.
Philadelphia believes they have fixed their scoring troubles through the draft (WR Jeremy Maclin, RB LeSean McCoy), a smart trade (LT Jason Peters), and by bringing in Micheal Vick to spice things up. The Eagles offense should be a joy to watch in 2009.
The offense will score more and the defense will continue stuffing opponents, leaving no reason why the Eagles won't win the division.
The Giants are hoping one of their receivers steps up now that Eli Manning's security blanket is in jail. RB Brandon Jacobs may have to carry more of the offensive load this season.
2009 Giants Bottom Line
Like the Eagles, the Giants rely on their defense for victories. The Giants defense ranked 5th last season with 42 sacks (6th), just 6 behind 3rd ranked Philly. The return of DE Osi Umenyiora, added depth to the defensive line (DE/DT Chris Canty, DT Rocky Bernard), and a solid secondary will continue to make facing this defense a threat to opponents.
In order to win their division, the Giants will have to find someone on the roster Eli can depend on to throw the ball to consistently. Receivers Steve Smith, Domenik Hixon, Mario Manningham, and rookie Hakeem Nicks all have talent, but may not be true no. 1 targets.
The run game will have to be the Giants ace card in 2009. With a super-strong defense and an equally strong RB in Jacobs, they can dominate time of possession over their opponents.
In 2008, Brandon Jacobs and departed RB Derrick Ward (Bucs) were just the 4th tandem in history to each rush for 1,000+ yards. Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie Andre Brown will try their best to replace Ward.
If Jacobs and the defense can stay healthy the G-Men may edge the Eagles for the division crown.
The Redskins have the talent to win, but always have and have not lived up to expectations. QB Jason Campbell has a lot to prove in a contract year.
2009 Redskins Bottom Line
Washington showed during the off season that they didn't have faith in Campbell by trying to trade for Jay Cutler and the rights to draft Mark Sanchez. Campbell played good en route to a 4-1 start, but threw 5 TD against 6 INT the rest of the way.
The receiver corps could have been a factor in Campbell's undoing, tight end Chris Cooley led the team with 83 receptions; a mark a receiver should have, not a TE. Second year WR Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly must produce for the 'Skins to win.
Clinton Portis (1,487 yds. 9 TD) is still an elite back, but no depth and an aging offensive line will make him work even harder in '09. If Portis can avoid career long nagging injuries and the line holds up; the offense should be o.k.
$100 million dollar man, DT Albert Haynesworth should make the defense even better (4th in '08). Haynesworth will allow rookie LE Brian Orakpo and RE Andre Carter to pressure the QB, their strength, while Albert takes care of the rush.
A strong D-line will help the pass defense (10th in '08) get even better making Washington a tough team to beat on Sunday (and 2 Monday nights).
The Cowboys are a team in flux but will try to hide it in 2009. They might ask for a 'do-over' after the season ends.
2009 Cowboys Bottom Line
QB Tony Romo will need someone other than TE Jason Witten to throw to and WR Roy Williams hopes to prove himself this season (36 receptions, 430 yds. 2TD in '08). Williams must make fans forget T.O.
The running game is strong but confused. Owner Jerry Jones called starter Marion Barber weak, 2nd year back, Felix Jones may be called upon more as will the versatile Tashard Choice.
The defense is weaker than people think, with DeMarcus Ware (20 sacks in '08) being the lone star. The secondary and defensive line is inconsistent; which will make Dallas miss the playoffs yet again. A losing season will cost Wade Phillips his job as coach.
Dare to say it, Dallas may be starting phase one of rebuild mode, 2009 will be a make or break year for the Cowboys.
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