2006 NFC East Predictions

NFC EAST - Dallas Cowboys PREDICTIONS

Dallas is 12:1 to win the Super Bowl, 11:2 to win the NFC Championship, and 11:5 to win the NFC East.

The Cowboys’ hopes of erasing the disappointments of last season rest squarely on the ability of their offensive line to work with quarterback, Drew Bledsoe. There’s no doubt Bledsoe is among the most talented playmakers in the game, but last year he failed to find the right chemistry with his offense.

Changes were inevitable, with guard Larry Allen moving on and Bill Parcells recruiting veteran offensive tackle Jason Fabini and reliable guard Kyle Kosier. Controversial signing Terrell Owens will be a key man, but those close to the Cowboys say it’s not a question of if he has a blow-up with the coaching staff, but when.

It’s also vital for Flozell Adams to stay fit and focused. Bledsoe has plenty of weapons in Terry Glenn, Jason Witten and Owens, so he should have a better season if he gets the support from his line.

On defense, the Cowboys are confident DeMarcus Ware, who was superb last season, will continue to develop. He had plenty of assistance last season from fellow rookies Chris Canty and Marcus Spears, and they should also be on the upswing.

High hopes are held for free-agent linebacker pickup, Akin Ayodele and first round draft pick Bobby Carpenter of Ohio State. Cornerback Anthony Henry was superb last season in the 12 games that he played, and he needs to stay healthy this year as the Cowboys really struggled when he was out.

Summing Up: Coach Parcells hasn’t been a happy man with the team’s work at training camp, but if Owens stays out of trouble and Bledsoe can work better with his offense, then look for a big season.

NFC EAST - New York Giants PREDICTIONS

New York is 20:1 to win the Super Bowl, 10:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 12:5 to win the NFC East.

Everyone knows quarterback Eli Manning has the talent, but the burning question in the Big Apple is whether he can maintain his focus over the duration of an intense NFL season. Last year, Manning failed the test miserably, starting in great form before fizzling in their playoff loss to Carolina. Hopefully he has learned from that and will be a better player for it in 2006.

Manning’s trump card will again be Tiki Barber, who led the way last year with 1,860 rushing yards and 530 receiving yards. He has an able partner in the massive Brandon Jacobs, a powerhouse back who could emerge this season. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress was a real asset in his first season with the Giants last year, but the grapevine reports he and Manning don’t see eye to eye, on or off the field.

Tight end, Jeremy Shockey is a real talent but has a tendency to go missing, and needs to play a more dominant role in their offensive attack.

The defense has been boosted by the acquisition of linebacker LaVar Arrington, who along with Antonio Pierce gives the Giants a great one-two punch. Ends Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora were great last season and will again be relied on to come up with more than their share of sacks. Tackle, William Joseph is another player who needs to show more consistency.

Summing Up: If Manning maintains his focus and Barber replicates his feats of last year, the Giants have a chance of winning their division.

NFC EAST - Washington Redskins PREDICTIONS

Washington is 22:1 to win the Super Bowl, 10:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 5:2 to win the NFC East.

Main interest with the Redskins coming into the season will be how Joe Gibbs handles his quarterbacks. Despite a solid season last year, Mark Brunell is likely to be put under pressure by Jason Campbell, who did enough in his rookie season to suggest he has a future.

Brunell is reliable and experienced, while Campbell’s youth and unpredictability provide a tantalizing contrast. Brunell worked well with wide receiver Santana Moss last year and should also get the best out of expensive free agent signing, Antwaan Randle El.

The arrival of wide receiver Randle El gives the offense more options and takes some of the pressure off Moss. Running back Clinton Portis is a reliable player who will also be vital to the success of the offense.

There are some question marks over the defense, with LaVar Arrington on the move after an unhappy time last season. His departure puts the pressure on Marcus Washington and Lamar Marshall, although it must be said that both linebackers excelled last season.

The Redskins defense may lack the big names of some of the NFL’s glamour teams, but the likes of Shawn Springs, Carlos Rogers, Phillip Daniels and Cornelius Griffin are all reliable performers capable of doing the job for Gibbs.

Summing Up: A team with plenty of expectation on their shoulders, they could push the Cowboys for the division title if Gibbs can get the best out of his quarterbacks. However, insiders believe a lack of quality backups at both tackle slots is shaping up as a potential problem.

NFC EAST - Philadelphia Eagles PREDICTIONS

Philadelphia is 25:1 to win the Super Bowl, 12:1 to win the NFC Championship, and 4:1 to win the NFC East.

Will Philadelphia regret the departure of perennial whipping boy Terrell Owens? That’s the question being asked as the team prepares for the new NFL season. While Owens carried plenty of baggage, there was no doubting his ability, and there are quiet whispers coming out of training camp that the current batch of receivers aren’t in the class of “T.O.”.

Donovan McNabb will lay the platform for the Eagles, it’s what happens from there that could be a worry. Two players who need to step up following Owens’ departure are tight end L.J. Smith, their best receiving target last year, and wide receiver Reggie Brown. The reliable Jeff Garcia has been signed as a back-up for McNabb.

The Eagles’ defense has less potential problems, and the addition of the menacing Darren Howard to the likes of Jevon Kearse, Mike Patterson and first round pick Brodrick Bunkley gives them a formidable defensive line.

The secondary looks solid enough with four Pro bowl players in Lito Sheppard, Sheldon Brown, Michael Lewis, and veteran Brian Dawkins. Linebacker does look to be a potential problem, with not much depth beyond Jeremiah Trotter.

Summing Up: McNabb needs to find new weapons in the post Owens era, while the defense will need to be on its best behavior on a weekly basis for the team to achieve its potential. Internal friction could also become a huge issue as the season unfolds.

Click any of the following links for more NFL 2006 Division Predictions for the NFL 2006 Betting Season.

2006 AFC West Predictions
2006 AFC South Predictions
2006 AFC North Predictions
2006 AFC East Predictions
2006 NFC West Predictions
2006 NFC South Predictions
2006 NFC East Predictions
2006 NFC North Predictions

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