ESPN: Can Cowboys end NFC East champ streak?

[jobberone]

Can Cowboys end NFC East champ streak?
3:45 PM ET

Todd Archer ESPN Staff Writer

FRISCO, Texas -- The NFC East has not had a repeat champion since the Philadelphia Eagles in 2003 and ‘04.

According to Football Outsiders’ initial forecast, that should change in 2017.

Using a number of rating analytic systems, Football Outsiders is projecting the Dallas Cowboys will finish atop the division for the second straight season with a 10-6 mark, followed by the New York Giants (8-8), Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) and Washington Commanders (7-9).

Barry Church, Brandon Carr, Morris Claiborne and J.J. Wilcox in the secondary to free agency. A year ago, they combined for more than 2,000 snaps and Church had more than 100 tackles and led the team in interceptions.

The Cowboys signed Nolan Carroll to replace Carr. They hope Jeff Heathcan fill in for Church. They believe Anthony Brown, who played well as a rookie in 2016, will be a solid No. 3 corner in Claiborne’s spot. Kavon Frazier was selected in the sixth round last year with an eye on him replacing Wilcox in 2017.

The Cowboys’ schedule will be more difficult with the Green Bay Packersand Atlanta Falcons their two foes from the NFC North and South, while the Giants, Commanders and Eagles will face the Nos. 2-4 finishers in 2016 from those divisions.

http://www.espn.com/blog/dallas-cowboys/post/_/id/4759191/can-cowboys-end-nfc-east-champ-streak

 

[jobberone]

Need a CB and S in the draft and look for more outside the draft.

LB depth.

Edge rusher.

One OL preferably either C or T.

One big fast WR. Find a backup SL for the PS.

One TE for competition.

One RB for depth/competition.

 

[haleyrules]

It will be tough this year.

 

[ChooChoo73]

This season will not go well without exceptional coaching jobs done across the board integrating what I anticipate will be lots of new faces playing meaningful minutes. I don't really have faith in the coaching staff and therefore I don't anticipate a very good year. Thankfully, the radishes, giants and eagles are all capable of stinking on their own without help. We got that going for us.

 

[DandyDon52]

Football Outsiders is projecting the Dallas Cowboys will finish atop the division for the second straight season with a 10-6 mark, followed by the New York Giants (8-8), Philadelphia Eagles (8-8) and Washington Commanders (7-9).

they must think it is 2012 ??
I dont think there will be 2 8-8 teams, and the east is better than what they project.
11-5 or better wins the div.
probably dallas or giants.

 

[jobberone]

they must think it is 2012 ??
I dont think there will be 2 8-8 teams, and the east is better than what they project.
11-5 or better wins the div.
probably dallas or giants.

I think they believe we're all going to beat each other up.

 

[jobberone]

It will be tough this year.

Understatement I think.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

It will be tough this year.

Heard that last year. To be fair we really have no idea how this season will go. I understand no game is ever a give me but teams are dreading seeing Dallas on the schedule. This is a very young and talented team and I think we match up with anybody

 

[haleyrules]

Heard that last year. To be fair we really have no idea how this season will go. I understand no game is ever a give me but teams are dreading seeing Dallas on the schedule. This is a very young and talented team and I think we match up with anybody

The defense isn't good enough. Offense is no problem..it can compete with any other club. Its the defense combined with improved competition within the division. Not sure how this season will shake out.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

The defense isn't good enough. Offense is no problem..it can compete with any other club. Its the defense combined with improved competition within the division. Not sure how this season will shake out.

You have no idea how the defense will look. I was told how bad they would be last year and over all get played decent, even good at times. Just relax and enjoy the season. Trust me when I say we can't say how this team (defense) will perform. The depth chart isn't even at yet, players still to be added

 

[haleyrules]

You have no idea how the defense will look. I was told how bad they would be last year and over all get played decent, even good at times. Just relax and enjoy the season. Trust me when I say we can't say how this team (defense) will perform. The depth chart isn't even at yet, players still to be added

Well, last year, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly for the Cowboys. Nobody saw it coming. This year the FO has decided to drop the entire starting secondary and l am not saying they were wrong to go that way...however, that leaves a lot of unanswered questions...drafting 28 is not the same as drafting at number 5. We shall see and l am hoping for something to happen, like a trade deal, before the season starts...maybe with the Titans. They need weapons for Mariota.

 

[MileyDancer]

This season will not go well without exceptional coaching jobs done across the board.

Garrett Special 8-8 coming up!

 

[Hardline]

You can't gage one season off the last one. We don't know what teams will step up except the Patriots and ones that will fall off except the Browns.

 

[haleyrules]

Garrett Special 8-8 coming up!

Thats entirely possible. Inside the division will be tougher and its always a dogfight.

 

[jazzcat22]

He forgot, Blandino is reviewing the replays....we are screwed...

 

[jazzcat22]

Garrett Special 8-8 coming up!

Why am I not surprised at this. But it's your opinion. Better than saying 6-10....

 

[gimmesix]

We should be able to because we've established that we're going to be a running team. That means our offense shouldn't change much. Realistically, I believe we would have won the East in 2015 if Romo had not gotten injured, so we've established our pattern.

My greater concern is getting past the playoff obstacles that have stopped us, and for that we need a better defense. It remains to be seen if we'll have that.

 

[DogFace]

Nope. We've got this. We arrived three years ago and were derailed by one of the top five worst calls in football history. It also robbed history of a historically great catch.

Then we lost our QB and several other key players the next year. Last year we replaced those players and are now ready for the NFL to fear us. Again. Not the other way around.

Look for another MVP type season from a special player in Zeke. More excellent qb play, a dominant line, and Dez. Who will show that he's still top 5.

Everyone is going to see why Jaylon is so special and the D will be better than average. Which is all we need with a stacked O.

 

[cowboyblue22]

i think they will win somewhere between 8 and 10 games in the regular season if the make the playoffs it wont matter because the coaching and defense is not good enough to beat the better teams

 

[Seven]

A lot fell into

Well, last year, everything seemed to fall into place perfectly for the Cowboys. Nobody saw it coming. This year the FO has decided to drop the entire starting secondary and l am not saying they were wrong to go that way...however, that leaves a lot of unanswered questions...drafting 28 is not the same as drafting at number 5. We shall see and l am hoping for something to happen, like a trade deal, before the season starts...maybe with the Titans. They need weapons for Mariota.

Yes sir. A lot fell into place last year.

Specifically the Steelers, the eagles, twice and a special thank you to Kirk Cousins.......but, thats the game of football. it's literally inches.

I think there's not much difference in the first round pick placement especially position specific. I think 28 will fare well for Dallas.