ESPN - Predicting the NFL division winners

[big dog cowboy]

EPSN - Predicting the NFL division winners
ESPN.com staff

NFC East:


With a healthy Tony Romo, the Cowboys should climb back to the top of the NFC East.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images


Dan Graziano, New York Giants reporter: The NFC East hasn't had a repeat champion since the 2003-04 Eagles, and that's not changing this year. 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.

Phil Sheridan, Philadelphia 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. I do think there's a decent chance that Washington could get in as a wild card. The other divisions have strong teams at the top, but there is room for the NFC East runner-up in the playoffs.

Todd Archer, Dallas Cowboys reporter: There has not been a repeat division winner in the NFC East since the 2003-04 Eagles, so that would seem to rule out the Commanders. The Eagles and Giants have new head coaches, and they sometimes need time to find their footing. 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. And they will be the only NFC East team to qualify for the postseason. Matching up with the AFC North and NFC North will not allow the second-place team to make it as a wild card.

John Keim, Washington Commanders reporter: I know it's easy to dismiss Washington because there hasn't been a repeat division champion since 2003-04, but I don't want to rely on that stat alone as a reason to rule someone out. This division isn't exactly the strongest, so if the Commanders stay healthy then, yeah, I think they'll repeat. I can easily see three teams winning the division if certain things break right -- right now, the only team I'm dismissing is Philadelphia. My fear with Dallas is Tony Romo's health. Can he play all 16 games? Could the Cowboys survive, say, a two-game absence? Right now, I'd say no -- although I think he'll be the MVP of the division, I do not think he'll play all 16 games. Also, I don't see an improved defense in Dallas. I have no idea if Ben McAdoo will be a good head coach or not, so while I think New York blew a shot last year, I can't assume that he'll make the difference. I have no idea. To me, the Commanders have the fewest questions. I like the addition of Josh Norman and the potential impact of Junior Galette. 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).

Read more: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/16897010/predicting-nfl-division-winners

 

[jazzcat22]

Todd Archer-----
"There are several defensive questions, but the offense can negate many of the defensive inefficiencies."

But I keep reading on here, so much my rear end hurts...that the offense and ball control has nothing to do with helping the defense...that this theory just is not possible....our D is beyond hope....
Man, I want to believe in the common sense thing...but just keep reading differently on here....

 

[JBS]

Todd Archer-----
"There are several defensive questions, but the offense can negate many of the defensive inefficiencies."

But I keep reading on here, so much my rear end hurts...that the offense and ball control has nothing to do with helping the defense...that this theory just is not possible....our D is beyond hope....
Man, I want to believe in the common sense thing...but just keep reading differently on here....

I'm pretty sure everyone is in agreement that the offense can help the defense by giving them a lead

 

[Hardline]

I'm pretty sure everyone is in agreement that the offense can help the defense by giving them a lead

And keeping the defense off the field. The defense was on the field an average of 12 plays less in 2o14 over last season.

 

[Craig]

Todd Archer-----
"There are several defensive questions, but the offense can negate many of the defensive inefficiencies."

But I keep reading on here, so much my rear end hurts...that the offense and ball control has nothing to do with helping the defense...that this theory just is not possible....our D is beyond hope....
Man, I want to believe in the common sense thing...but just keep reading differently on here....

Huge difference between offense dragging a team to a division win and a playoff win. No doubt they can do the former. Much doubt a out the latter.

 

[AsthmaField]

These guys must not have heard that ESPN says Dallas has no future. They need to read their own company's opinions.

 

[TX Cowboy]

The BSPN jinx in full effect I think despite the offense, the Cowboys will be a let down
defensively while Washington has a better shot at taking this division than NY and
Philthy

 

[windward]

Huge difference between offense dragging a team to a division win and a playoff win. No doubt they can do the former. Much doubt a out the latter.

Well that's how 2014 pretty much went, right?

 

[cityochamps]

The best thing our Offense can do for this team is keep this defense off the field!

 

[StarBoyz83]

Patriots
Steelers
Colts
Raiders

Cardinals
Packers
Panthers
Cowboys/giants

 

[cowboyblue22]

right now top teams competing for the playoffs in the afc pats and steelers in the nfc seahawks panthers cardinals packers this could change of course as the season starts and goes along and I am sure it will as each year is so different.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Todd Archer-----
"There are several defensive questions, but the offense can negate many of the defensive inefficiencies."

But I keep reading on here, so much my rear end hurts...that the offense and ball control has nothing to do with helping the defense...that this theory just is not possible....our D is beyond hope....
Man, I want to believe in the common sense thing...but just keep reading differently on here....

Well....I've heard the 2014 Cowboys had the ball around 8-12 more plays per game on average compared to 2015. That's not a theory, it's fact. And if the Cowboys can control the clock and get a lead, the opponent simply isn't going to get enough possessions to catch up.

I'm unsure if there's statistical proof to back these claims, but I do know it was the formula that led to a pretty nice 2014 Cowboys season.

 

[jazzcat22]

Well....I've heard the 2014 Cowboys had the ball around 8-12 more plays per game on average compared to 2015. That's not a theory, it's fact. And if the Cowboys can control the clock and get a lead, the opponent simply isn't going to get enough possessions to catch up.

I'm unsure if there's statistical proof to back these claims, but I do know it was the formula that led to a pretty nice 2014 Cowboys season.

I had looked this up before. I think it was something like this.
The 2014 Defense was on the field for that 8 to 12 less snaps per game. I think it was closer to 8, than 12.
The 2015 Defense was on the field 1 snap more per game than the 2014 team.

The 2014 Defense improved from 29th or what ever it was, to 15th over the injury riddled 2013 team.
The 2015 Defense stayed about the same stat wise and were finished 16th I think, and had suspensions and injuries too. It the the inability of the injured Offense that failed more so the Defense did. Though the Defense blew their share of games too.

So with better players now, and a few right players playing in the right scheme on Defense, and a better and healthy Offense. This is what I think we will see a better overall Defense.
I can see a few things here. Those defensive snaps can be reduced again, and as you said, not leaving enough time or snaps for the other team to catch up.
Or the Defense will be on the fiels, of what seems longer, however, that is becaise our Offense will score often too quickly. But we will have even a bigger lead.

 

[zack]

How many games did Dallas get blown out in last year? 2 games? Pretty sure Dallas was in a lot of games last year with depleted talent. I think predictions are tough every year, but it would seem that if healthy, Dallas should easily win this division.

 

[jazzcat22]

How many games did Dallas get blown out in last year? 2 games? Pretty sure Dallas was in a lot of games last year with depleted talent. I think predictions are tough every year, but it would seem that if healthy, Dallas should easily win this division.

The 2nd half of the Cheatriots game, and the Panthers game.
Defense lost 2 in OT on long TD's.
After Lee went out in the Atlanta game, things changed, and the D couldn't stop the Falcons, as well as the offense stalling, lost that game. Many lost opportunities actually last year.
I don't think it would have mattered. The Commanders got hot, if you call that hot, and Cousins woke up. They won by default actually.

Agree, we should win this division, but it won't be easy. I feel we should, but won't delude myself that it won't be a fight to the end.
But would love if it was a cake walk.

 

[Joe Realist]

If the Cowboys are favored, then bet against them.

 

[pancakeman]

Todd Archer, Dallas Cowboys reporter: There has not been a repeat division winner in the NFC East since the 2003-04 Eagles, so that would seem to rule out the Commanders.

Is this serious professional commentary?!