Many sports fans think of the summer months as the deadliest time of the year, but for soccer 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 examine regular season schedules, go over offseason tradeoffs, and make predictions about the upcoming season. The first regular season start is still over a month away, but as a wiser man than I 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 home run; And second, all four teams have relatively stable quarterback situations and are therefore not 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 haven’t incurred significant personnel losses this offseason. Tony Romo, Marion Barber and Terrell Owens are the anchors of one of the best offenses in the league. An annoying young defender has added Zach Thomas and Pacman-oops! -Adam Jones.
Circle this date: November 2, Cowboys at Giants. The ‘Boys will seek 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. I hope this is the year they get out of trouble, not because they are significantly better than last year, but more because of the law of averages. Sooner or later, this team has to win a playoff game. They are too good not to.
Sprayed 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’ fate depends largely on whether the No. 5 can stick together for a full year.
Brian Westbrook is unhappy with his contract status, 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 plan on how to contain the New England offensive giant.
Circle this date: December 28, home vs. Dallas With any luck, the Eagles could be playing this game for the top spot in the NFC East.
Outlook: This season depends on many yes. If McNabb can stay healthy. If Westbrook can repeat last year’s performance. If 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 that 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 champs, and as a Giants fan I may seem grossly disloyal, but I still think Eli Manning has something to do to grow. Coming into the end of the regular season against the Patriots, he was the very definition of mediocrity, with 19 touchdown passes and 19 picks. Has a Super Bowl victory made you a more accurate quarterback? We’ll see.
Circle this date: September 4, home vs. Washington. A Thursday night game is the first game of the season, and the Giants will seek to prove that they are not a fluke.
Outlook: I hope I’m wrong, but I see a little hangover from the Super Bowl for the Giants. Additionally, Michael Strahan (retirement) 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, home vs. Dallas Regardless of how the Redskins are playing, they always stand up for the Cowboys. They will 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 successful, the ‘Skins will be difficult. But not this year.
Projected finish: 8-8.
