Early 2020 NFL Preview-NFC East
Early 2020 NFL Preview-NFC East
(odds from PointsBet)
1)Dallas Cowboys
Last year's record: 8-8 SU, 9-7 ATS, 10-6 O/U
Super Bowl Odds: +1700 ; NFC East: -110
Key Offseason Additions: S Ha Ha Clinton Dix (FA-Chicago), QB Andy Dalton (FA-Cincinnati), DT Gerald McCoy (FA-Carolina), OL Cameron Irving (FA-NY Giants), DT Dontari Poe (FA-Carolina), Edge Aldon Smith (FA).
Key Offseason Subtractions: CB Byron Jones (FA-Miami), WR Randall Cobb (FA-Houston), TE Jason Witten (FA-Oakland), OT Cameron Fleming (FA-NY Giants), OG Xavier Su'a-Filo (FA-Cincinnati), DE Robert Quinn (FA-Chicago), DT Maliek Collins (FA-Oakland), S Jeff Heath (FA-Oakland).
Some teams can win without a great or even good defense. Ask Kansas City, but they have the best quarterback in the game in Patrick Mahomes. Dak Prescott, who still haasn't signed a long deal, isn't Mahomes. Dallas should certainly be fun to watch, as they have studs at receiver and running back. They re-signed wide receiver Amari Cooper, who caught 79 passes for 1,189 yards. Michael Gallup had a break-out season with 66 catches for 1,107 yards and six TDs in 14 games. So there wasn't a great need for a receiver, except to replace slot guy Randall Cobb. But Jerry Jones couldn't pass up WR CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma with the 17th pick, instead of going for defense. After throwing for 4,902 yards (65.1%, 99.7 passer rating) with 30 TDs and 11 picks, Prescott shoud have an even better season. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 1,357 yards with 12 TDs (4.5ypc) and is just a workhorse. The Cowboys led the league with 431.5 yards per game and ranked sixth with 27.1 points per contest. They have the best balance of run and pass in the league. About the only big loss this season was the retirement of center Travis Frederick, whose play had declined some. They drafted one of the best centers in the draft when they tok Tyler Biadasz from Wisconsin at 146, which was a steal. He'll compete with Joe Looney for the starting job.
The defense is the main issue for the Cowboys. There's a reason they finished 8-8 and the stats don't tell the whole story, because they allowed just 20.1 points per game and 327 yards. The big issue is the pass defense, which wasn't awful last season (223.5ypc), but they lose top corner Byron Jones in free agency. They were also -1 in turnover ratio and had just seven interceptions. They also lose DE Robert Quinn in free agency, who had 11.5 sacks last season. They added DT Gerald McCoy from Carolina, whose play has really declined since his Tampa Bay days. Dontari Poe was also acquired in free agency to plug a hole up front. They need to replace Maliek Collins, who signed with the Raiders. At cornerback, with Jones gone, they drafted Trevon Diggs from Alabama and Reggie Collins from Tulsa. Both were solid picks, but neither can replace Jones right away. That will likely be Anthony Brown. At safety, veteran Ha Ha Clinton Dix will replace Darian Thompson at strong safety and Jeff Heat (who left in free agency. At linebacker, they are set with MLB Jaylon Smith (142 tackles), Leighton Vander Esch (72 tackles in 9 games) and Sean Lee (86 tackles).
Prediction: 11-5. The defense still has issues, but that offense could be great. It's hard to believe the Cowboys will finish 8-8 again and with the Giants and Redskins on the schedule, that's basically three wins at the worst.
2)Philadelphia Eagles
Last year's record: 9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS, 8-8 O/U
Super Bowl Odds: +2000; NFC East: +115
Key Offseason Additions: CB Darius Slay (Trade-Detroit), DL Javon Hargrave (FA-Pittsburgh), CB Nickell Robey-Coleman (FA-LA Rams), S Will Parks (FA-Denver), WR Marquise Goodwin (Trade-San Francisco).
Key Offseason Subtractions: RB Jordan Howard (FA-Miami), S Malcolm Jenkins (FA-New Orleans), WR Nelson Agholor (FA-Oakland), OL Halapoulivaati Vaitai (FA-Detroit), DT Timmy Jernigan (FA-Houston), CB Ronald Darby (FA-Washington).
The Eagles are coming off a disappointing 9-7 season, which was the same record they had in 2018. In free agency, the focused on improving the defense. Iin the draft, they looked at improving a mediocre offense that aeraged 360.8 yards per game overall and passing offense that averaged 239.6 yards per game (11th). Injuries and inconsistency hampered a receiving corps where the leading wide receiver (Alshon Jeffery) caught 43 passes for 490 yards. Their top receivers were two tight ends Zach Ertz (88 catches for 916 yards, 6 TDs) and Dallas Goedert (58 catches for 509 yards) and running back Miles Sanders (50 catches for 509 yds). They were picking later in the first round, so they missed out on the top three receivers. Instead of taking Justin Jefferson from LSU at 21, they took a chance on Jalen Reagor from TCU, who apparently had an incredible workout after an average combine. Thehy also added speedy Marquise Goodwin from the 49ers and drafted andther vertical threat in John Hightower from Boise State at 168. Reagor was a need pick but in the second round, they grabbed QB Jalen Hurts. They drafted a backup quarterback in the second round because Carson Wentz is injury-prone? Wentz actually played an entire season and threw for 4,039 yards with 27 TDs and seven picks. Considering the injuries and erratic play of the receiving corps, he had a nice season. They also found a potential stud in Sanders, who ran for 818 yards and 4.6 yards per carry. The offensive line is waiting on LT Jason Peters to return. If not, they would turn to Andre Dillard.
Defensively, the Eagles ranked 10th overall, allowing 331.7 yards per game. They rank third in run defense, giving up 90.1 yards per game. The pass defense was a bit more of an issue as they gave up 241.6 yards per game. Up front, they added DT Javon Hargrave, who had four sacks from the interior. Philadelphia lacks a dominant pass rusher, though DE Brandon Graham added 8.5 sacks last season. Philly fans might not love the pick at 196, because his name is Shaun Bradley. But he's not the 7-6 basketball bust who played for the 76ers, but a linebacker from local Temple. He's not very fast, but a solid player. The biggest move in the offseason for the Eagles was the acquisition of Darius Slay from Detroit. Slay is a shutdown corner, who will help the secondary, though he is coming off a subpar season. They also drafted K'Von Wallace from Clemson, a safety with good athleticism. But with Malcolm Jenkins gone, they'll need to find a strong safety. Nickell Robey-Coleman was added from the Rams, who can play nickel.
Prediction: 10-6. They have a tough schedule, even tougher than the Cowboys. They have to go to Green Bay, Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Cleveland and Arizona.
3)Washington Redskins
Last year's record: 3-13 SU, 6-10 ATS, 8-8 O/U
Super Bowl Odds: +15000; NFC East: +2200
Key Offseason Additions: CB Kendall Fuller (FA-Kansas City), QB Kyle Allen (Trade-Carolina), OG Wes Schweitzer (FA-Atlanta), S Sean Davis (FA-Pittsburgh), LB Thomas Davis (FA-Chargers).
Key Offseason Losses: OT Trent Williams (Trade-San Francisco), TE Vernon Davis (retired), QB Case Keenum (FA-Cleveland), QB Colt McCoy (FA-NY Giants), RB Chris Thompson (FA-Jacksonville), OG Ereck Flowers (FA-Miami), CB Quinton Dunbar (FA-Seattle) CB Josh Norman (FA-Buffalo).
Washington made some changes to their organization and coaching staff. It started with Ron Rivera taking over and adding Jack Del Rio as a defensive coordinator. That's great for the defense, but the offense needs a talent infusion. It starts at quarterback, where Dwayne Haskins does have talent, but taking him in the first round last season seemed a reach. He's raw mainly because he played just one year at Ohio State. In a small sample size, Haskins was decent. He completed 58.6% of his passes for 1,365 yards with seven TDs and seven picks. He's a pocket passer, but showed some ability to run (101 yds, 20 attempts). Kyle Allen was brought in as a backup, but could emerge if Haskins fails. Allen played for Rivera at Carolina and showed some flashes last season, taking over for an injured Cam Newton. At running back, Adrian Peterson (898 yds, 4.3ypc) is expected to return, but Derrius Guice (245yds) is the best back if healthy. That's a big if. The Skins drafted RB/WR Antonio Gibson (6-1, 227), a versatile player who can play some slot receiver. Another issue is at wide receiver, where Terry McLaurin, who had 58 catches for 919 yards and seven scores in his rookie season, playing with some mediocre-at-best quarterbacks (Case Keenum). They didn't draft a receiver until the fifth round, when the selected 6-4 Antonio Gandy-Golden from Liberty. The offensive line loses Trent Williams (finally) in a draft-day deal to San Francisco. He didn't play last season and 36-year old Donald Penn was serviceable. Cornelius Lucas and Geron Christian appear to be the top two to compete for the starting position. Guard Wes Schweitzer of Atlanta was added to play left guard, while Sashdiq Charles from LSU, an early fourth-round pick, could be in the mix at guard or right tackle.
Defensively, the Skins were bad last season, finishing 27th in total defense (385.1ypg) and 31st in rushing defense (146.ypg). Washington had the No. 2 pick in the draft and it was a slam dunk from the start. DE Chase Young from Ohio State was a no-brainer, who dominated college competition and was the best pass rusher in the draft by far. In the 4-3 scheme, he should play defensive end. Ryan Kerrigan had an injury-prone season and wound up with just 5.5 sacks in 12 games. They should get more from him and DE/OLB Montez Sweat, who had 50 tackles and seven sacks in his rookie season. They also picked Khaleke Hudson in the later rounds, who can play linebacker or safety. Washington added to their secondary, which loses corners Josh Norman (a good thing) and Quinton Dunbar in free agency. They get a little faster with the addition of Kendall Fuller from Kansas City and also add a pretty good safety in Sean Davis from Pittsburgh. They are nowhere close to being elite, but the additions, especially with Young in the fold, should make this a solid defense.
Prediction: 4-12. Washington is still far off from being a good team due to a poor offense and the schedule doesn't give them many favors.
4)New York Giants
Last year's record: 4-12 SU, 7-9 ATS, 10-6 O/U
Super Bowl Odds: +12500; NFC East: +900
Key Offseason Additions: CB James Bradberry (FA-Carolina), LB Blake Martinez (FA-Green Bay), LB Kyle Fackrell (FA-Green Bay), OT Cam Fleming (FA-Dallas).
Key Offseason Losses: QB Eli Manning (retired), OT Mike Remmers (FA-Kansas City), CB Antonio Hamilton (FA-Kansas City).
The Giants will enter a new era with Daniel Jones at the helm at quarterback and Joe Judge as the head coach. Jones took over for Eli Manning last season, who instead of hanging on as a backup, decided to retire. Jones threw for 3,027 yards with 24 TDs and 12 picks. Not bad for a rookie on a bad team, who averaged just 338.5 yards per game (23rd). They were middle-of-the pack in terms of passing (232.2ypg) and averaged just 105.3 yards per game on the ground. Saquon Barkley struggled with ankle injuries and had just 1,003 yards rushing with six TDs. The receivers are pretty good led by Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard. What they really needed was help on the offensive line. Nate Solder and Mike Remmers really struggled at tackle last season. They drafted two tackles pretty high, selecting Andrew Thomas from Georgia with the fourth pick in the draft and Matt Pearl from UConn at 99. Thomas was a bit of a reach at four, but they were desperate for a right tackle. Pearl could eventually take over for Solder at left tackle.
Defensively, the Giants finished 25th in the NFL with 377.3 yards per game allowed. Their biggest issue was against the pass, as they allowed 264.1 yards per game in the air (28th). Up front, they have some talent led by Leonard Williams, who played in just eight games last season and Dalvin Tomlinson (3.5 sacks). Linebacker Markus Golden led the Giants with 10 sacks last season, but they had just 36 overall. At inside linebacker, the Giants added Blake Martinez from Green Bay, who missed his fair share of tackles last season, but did have 155 stops last season. They also added another ex-Packer in Kyle Fackrell, who can provide depth at outside linebacker. The secondary needed to be revamped after allowing 7.6 yards per attempt to rank 29th in the NFL. Jabrill Peppers is the anchor, but had one just one pick and three forced fumbles last season. They drafted Xavier McKinney from Alabama in the second round. He's an absolute steal if he's healthy. The real issue at cornerback, where Janoris Jenkins was let go in December. Denadre Baker had a rough season as a rookie and is back to start again. They drafted Darnay Holmes from UCLA in the fourth round and picked up James Bradberry from Carolina. Bradberry should improve the cornerback position.
Prediction: 4-12. Tied for last place with Washington. They have to face San Francisco at home and Seattle on the road. They appear to be better suited at the quarterback position than Washington, but their defense is still an issue.
(some info from ESPN.com, PFF.com and NFL.com)