With a week to go, there is still time to get in on the COAS Pigskin Pick 'Em contest. Follow the provided link to go to the group page and sign up. It's free to play, and you have an opportunity to make me look like a complete idiot. Everyone wins.
With that out of the way, let's take a look at how the NFC East might unfold.
Common opponents on schedule: NFC West, AFC South
2013: 10-6 (1st), lost in NFC Wild Card Round
Not the easiest schedule in the world for second year coach Chip Kelly. He has the first place teams in the NFC plus the NFC West. Even with that, there's no reason to think this offense still can't blur their way down the field. They were a top-10 passing team and the top rushing attack in 2013. Those numbers will probably drop a bit with Desean Jackson departed for Washington. Shady McCoy will still probably put up huge numbers though. The biggest problem though remains in that this defense couldn't stop a nosebleed last year. They'll have to rely on winning shootouts. Fortunately for them, that's something they can do.
2014 Prediction: 10-6
2013: 8-8 (2nd), missed playoffs
So, other than Jerry Jones turning into Uncle Creepy... this was more of the same old, same old from Arlington. The cap situation is a mess, the team itself is a mess... and yet somehow, despite my grandfather-in-law's lack of faith in this team (he lives in the Dallas area), they'll be in position to make the playoffs in the final week before blowing it in unbelievable fashion. Tony Romo will continue to put up numbers, especially as long as Jason Witten and Dez Bryant are healthy. Problem is, this defense... oh boy. We might see a lot of games like last year's shootout with Denver.
2014 Prediction: 8-8
2013: 3-13 (4th), missed playoffs
With the benefit of a (hopefully) healthy RG3 and a last place schedule, the Redskins should be on the way back up this season. Having Desean Jackson defect helps a lot too. Offensively, between the passing game and the Alfred Morris/Roy Helu running back tandem, they'll be fine. It's the defense that's concerning, much like the rest of the division. Picking up Ryan Clark is a pretty good addition to a secondary that will need the help, given Brandon Meriweather is being a thug again. As long as Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan get a decent pass rush, the Skins can be in contention again this year.
2014 Prediction: 7-9
2013: 7-9 (3rd), missed playoffs
The G-Men had an off year last year, especially Eli. I doubt he'll have an 18/27 touchdown to pick ration again. It'll be interesting to see though if Rueben Randle can become a competent #2 receiver across from Victor Cruz though. I really don't know what to expect on the ground though; Rashad Jennings was okay as part of a tandem last year, but who backs him up? On defense, getting Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie helps shore up the secondary, but can the Giants get the pass rush they've gotten during their two recent Super Bowl runs? If not, it could be a long year in the Meadowlands.
2014 Prediction: 7-9
And with that, we're at the halfway mark. And so far, no wild cards have shown up. You can check back tomorrow to see if one is present in the AFC North.
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