Many sports fans think that the summer months are the deadest period of the year, but for football addicts like me, this is a very exciting time, full of optimism and possibility. Most NFL training camps have already started or will start in a day or two. And until the NFL season begins in September, our favorite teams are undefeated.
This is also the time when people like me peruse regular season schedules, review offseason trades, and make predictions about the upcoming season. The first start of the regular season is still over a month away, but as a wise man once said, “it’s never too early to be inaccurate.”
With that in mind, I’ll start my prediction series with the NFC East. I’m starting this division for two reasons: First, as a Giants fan, I’m an NFC East homer; and second, all four teams have relatively stable quarterback situations and thus aren’t currently being held hostage to the Brett Favre debacle.
dallas cowboys
As painful as it is for me to admit, the Cowboys were the best team in the NFC last year, and they haven’t suffered significant personnel losses this offseason. Tony Romo, Marion Barber and Terrell Owens anchor one of the best offenses in the league. A young and pesky defense has added Zach Thomas and Pacman-oops!-Adam Jones.
Circle this date: November 2, Cowboys vs. Giants. The ‘Boys will be looking to avenge their playoff loss to the Giants.
Outlook: The regular season hasn’t been a problem for Dallas in recent years. It’s those damn playoffs that keep tripping them up. I hope this is the year they come out of the schneid, not because they are significantly better than last year, but rather because of the law of averages. Sooner or later, this team has to win a playoff game. They are too good not to.
Projected finish: 12-4
philadelphia eagles
Donovan McNabb’s championship window is closing fast; in fact, it is almost closed. He turns 32 this year, and hasn’t had an injury-free season since 2004. The Eagles’ fortunes largely depend on whether the No. 5 can keep the unit going for a full year.
Brian Westbrook isn’t happy with his contract situation, he’s 28 and fast approaching 30, the not-so-magical number for running backs. Still, this is a team that’s built to win now, and it was the Eagles’ defense that wrote the blueprint for how to contain New England’s giant offense.
Circle this date: December 28, at home vs. Dallas. With any luck, the Eagles could play this game for the top spot in the NFC East.
Outlook: This season depends on many conditions. If McNabb can stay healthy. Whether Westbrook can repeat last year’s performance. Whether Andy Reid can focus on the season despite his children’s problems. I have a feeling this is now or never for these Eagles, and they will play like this.
Projected finish: 11-5
New York Giants
I may be criticized for predicting a third-place finish for the defending champions, and as a Giants fan, I may come off as terribly disloyal, but I still think Eli Manning has a lot going for him. Entering the regular season finale against the Patriots, he was the very definition of mediocrity, with 19 touchdown passes and 19 interceptions. Has a Super Bowl win made him a more accurate quarterback? We’ll see.
Circle this date: September 4, at home vs. Washington. A Thursday night game is the first game of the season, and the Giants will be looking to prove they are no fluke.
Outlook: I hope I’m wrong, but I see a little Super Bowl hangover for the Giants. Also, Michael Strahan (retired) and Kawika Mitchell (free agency) are significant defensive losses.
Projected finish: 10-6.
washington redskins
This is a team in the process of change. New head coach Jim Zorn takes over a team still reeling from the shooting death of safety Sean Taylor. Quarterback Jason Campbell is learning a new offense for the third time in four years.
Circle this date: November 16, at home vs. Dallas. Regardless of how the Redskins play, they always get up for the Cowboys. They’ll be hovering around .500 and playing desperately. Will it be enough to beat the Cowboys? Tune in and find out.
Outlook: After years of trying to buy a championship, Daniel Snyder appears to be trying to build through the draft. If he is successful, the ‘Skins will be hard. But not this year.
Projected finish: 8-8.