NFC East Predictions Thread...

NFC East 2017 predictions: Steady Cowboys, streaky Giants still top division
Vinnie Iyer @vinnieiyer
Updated at 10:21 a.m. ET

The Cowboys went 13-3 to take the NFC East last season, but of course, even that wasn't easy. All three of their regular-season losses came within the division, including both games to the 11-5 Giants.

That's just life in the most competitive, highest-profile division in the NFL. Dallas is now trying to do something no team in the East has done since Philadelphia in 2004 — repeat as division champion.

Since 2011, when New York went on to win the Super Bowl, all four teams can boast a title, with Dallas and Washington earning two each. Will the turnover continue, or can the Cowboys rope in another? It figures to be another wild ride made for primetime.

NFC East: 2017 predictions

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys went into the offseason with the salary-cap issues of a veteran team. They also were forced to shuffle their offensive line and needed to further address their defensive line. As Jerry Jones was celebrated as a class of 2017 Hall of Famer, some off-field news brought more bad publicity.

But so far, Ezekiel Elliott will remain starting in the backfield, alongside Dak Prescott. They make the transition from rookies who delivered well beyond expectations to second-year standouts expected to lead as part of the nucleus. With Elliott and Prescott's combined explosiveness and efficiency setting the tone, Dallas suddenly has a high floor to match a brand new ceiling. The Cowboys, if those two stay healthy, are too steady to succumb to any sophomore slump.

New York Giants

The Giants' spending on defensive improvements paid off with a much-improved unit that went from weak to often dominant. The familiar defensive line strength returned with Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon, and the secondary became elite with Janoris Jenkins flanking young superstar Landon Collins.

But the two other things critical to recent New York rings let the team down: the power running and Eli Manning. There's hope, with Paul Perkins' promotion plus the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram, that the offense will discover the gear needed to push to the top. The Giants are bound to have some big ups, but they still will hit some similar snags.

Philadelphia Eagles

There's plenty to like about the Eagles, who overachieved in Doug Pederson's first season. Carson Wentz looks the part of a franchise QB and now has more offensive skill help with Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith, LeGarrette Blount and Donnel Pumphrey. The defense has some excellent pieces, let by Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham up front.

At some point soon, Philadelphia can develop into the division's most complete team. But putting it all together and getting everyone to jell will take a little more time, as both the Cowboys and Giants go into 2017 more established and with fewer question marks. The Eagles might not be far from another Andy Reid-like consistent run of titles, but 2018 seems to align better with the beginning.

Washington Redskins

The Redskins ruled this division just two seasons ago with Jay Gruden, but the sentiment has quickly changed on how long Kirk Cousins will be around and how far he can take them.

Quarterback and offensive line are fine, but the receiving and rushing attacks are undergoing more change. Defensively, in relation to the other teams in the division, the Redskins still have the biggest number of frustrating holes.

NFC East: 2017 picks

1. Dallas Cowboys (12-4)

2. New York Giants (10-6)

3. Philadelphia Eagles (6-10)

4. Washington Redskins (5-11)

There's no doubt the East teams took advantage of favorable schedules last season to inflate their records as a group, combining for 39 wins. But facing both the NFC and AFC Wests as well as each other, all four teams will roll back a bit.

The Cowboys will keep their cushion against the Giants, and both will put more distance between themselves and the Eagles and Redskins.

Put your predictions here. Do we fall off from last year or can we maintain?

Mr prediction: 11-5

I think 11-5 is good.

Going to go with 10-6 if we stay healthy and Elliott plays all sixteen games. Might be better yet have a worse record.

7-9

10-6

I'll say 11-5

4-12

dallen said:

4-12

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You are under oath, bud. You don't want to perjure yourself. Reconsider what you're saying, and resubmit your prediction.

Thanks,
MGMT

Iamtdg said:

You are under oath, bud. You don't want to perjure yourself. Reconsider what you're saying, and resubmit your prediction.

Thanks,
MGMT

Click to expand...

3-13

dallen said:

3-13

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Fair enough.

12-4

10-6 if Elliott is suspended, 12-4 if he isn't. He and Dak are the catalysts for the offense and we're going to rely on the offense to win games unless all the young guys on defense acclimate quickly. Still too many question marks on that side of the ball.

Edited to add that any season without sustained playoff success and ultimately a championship is a failed season.

This schedule looks really hard.

I definitely think more in the 10-6, 11-5 range even if we are as good as last year. We had a really charmed run last year that probably should have had another loss or two in there based on the law of averages for the ball bouncing our way.

Could be worse than 11-5 if the breaks swing the other way AND certain players have down years AND of course the increased schedule difficulty.

mschmidt64 said:

This schedule looks really hard.

I definitely think more in the 10-6, 11-5 range even if we are as good as last year. We had a really charmed run last year that probably should have had another loss or two in there based on the law of averages for the ball bouncing our way.

Could be worse than 11-5 if the breaks swing the other way AND certain players have down years AND of course the increased schedule difficulty.

Click to expand...

I've mentioned it before but Prescott/Elliott really took the league by surprise and part of their success was due to the OL. If the offense stays healthy as a unit and plays together for sixteen games, I expect a minimum of 12-4. Now the rest of the league has a full season's worth of video on both of them though. Also, yeah. Dallas benefited from more than their fair share of lucky bounces.

Double digit wins is the goal, which should get us into the playoffs. Sometimes it also depends on when a team gets hot and Dallas has a history of starting fast then fading some down the stretch.

There are just so many fricking variables.

I'd like to be optimistic, but we always back slide the next year. Between that and sophomore slumps and the out of control roster I expect awful results this year. I will be shocked if we are over .500. Hopefully I eat my words.

hard to make a prediction without knowing Zeke's fate. those first two games were gonna be hard to win even with him in the lineup.

About 11-5. That's the ability level we have on this team. Still have the most talented offense in football and an exceptional player at QB.

I am surprised Iyer picked the Redskins for 5-11. Not sure why they'd be that bad unless they got off to a rocky start and things with Cousins cratered or something.

If Dak and the running game are as good or better than last year and the defense can improve even if just a bit, we'll go 11-5.