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It wasn't more than a few days ago when we were discussing ESPN being totally dismissive of the Dallas Cowboys future. Today, the sports behemoth likes the Cowboys for the 2016 season. Of course you have a different set of writers making today's prediction, a roundtable of their NFC East reporters. The question presented was who would win the NFC East this season? Three out of the four writers gave the Cowboys the nod, while the other one said it would basically come down to a tie between Washington and Dallas.
Let's take a look at how others see the Cowboys, but first, a little blurb from Todd Archer.
That leaves the Cowboys. They are not your typical 4-12 team. Tony Romo is healthy. Dez Bryant is healthy. They drafted Ezekiel Elliott. They have the best offensive line in the division. There are several defensive questions, but the offense can negate many of the defensive inefficiencies. The Cowboys won the division in 2014 with that formula, and they will do it again.
As always, Archer is solid in his reasoning. That's about as good a shorthand account of what is expected for the Cowboys as I've seen. Let's see how the other team writers in the division view the Cowboys.
First up, Dan Graziano (Giants reporter):
Dallas comes roaring back from last year's pothole and edges out defending champion Washington in a tight two-way race. But for the first time since 2009, two teams from this division reach the playoffs. Washington shows that last year wasn't a total fluke and snags a wild-card spot.
Bold prediction. No, not the Cowboys part, but the fact that the NFC East will produce two playoff teams. Given how poor the division has been recently, that would certainly be a surprise.
Next, Phil Sheridan (Eagles reporter):
As much as it galls Eagles fans, I think the Cowboys are in position to win the division title this season. Dallas won it in 2014, then fell apart in 2015 because of injuries to Tony Romo and Dez Bryant. If Romo and Bryant are healthy and Ezekiel Elliott is the player everyone expects, the Cowboys immediately become the class of the division.
Hehe, an Eagles person forced to admit the Cowboys should have a better season. So satisfying.
Finally, John Kleim (Washington reporter):
I don't think Kirk Cousins is a great quarterback, but I also don't see him falling off big time -- he understands the talent he has around him (as long as he keeps using it, they're good). There's a strong, professional mindset among these players that is healthy. They have questions, too, and I don't see them as prime Super Bowl contenders yet, but in a still-recovering NFC East? They're as good as anyone. My take: They'll win a tiebreaker over Dallas, but both make the postseason. (Of course, the truth is I flipped a coin).
Well, we'll take that from a Washington guy, essentially that the Cowboys and Washington will battle to the end for the NFC East.
Okay BTB, take it way. Are you on board with predicting the Cowboys will win the NFC East?
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