This week we’re going to take a look at the NFC East and NFC West, or North. We’ll see where I’m at on Thursday. Before we get to that though, did you see Andrew Luck the other day? I said it last year, this kid is going to be amazing. He’s a true passer and he’s got that star QB mentality needed to lead a team and get the wins. I would almost think about drafting him in my fantasy league, just in case I don’t get Eli.

This year I’m playing for the first time in a fantasy league that uses all defensive players, as well as coach. Coach! So I guess draft the coach who you think will have the winningnest season? I suppose so. Needless to say, I won’t be drafting Shanahan. I’m going with Mike Smith in Atlanta. Oh, and I’m totally drafting Tebow. And Josh Cribbs. Anyway, we’re talking about the NFC today, and not fantasy.

So what’s new in the NFC East? Not too much really. All four teams are smelling about the same except the addition of RG3 in Washington, that’s the biggie. Meanwhile, somehow that Vick guy is still in football. It’s only a matter of time before karma kicks him right the fuck out. On with the NFC East!

NFC East

New York Giants
What do I start off here with? The fact that the Giants have another Superbowl win under Eli? How about former receiver Amani Toomer saying that Romo is a better QB than Manning? Huh? How many rings does Romo have? Hell, how many rings does Peyton have, Brees? Matt Ryan? All these elite guys and Eli is sitting with two rings and there is no way he is done yet. And the thing is, on both those runs the Giants came in improbable underdogs and somehow pulled it off. A testament to coaching? Improbable luck? Who the hell knows.

This year, the defense is going to be better than ever. Jason Pierre-Paul is a monster, and Tuck is back from an injury as well. I expect that the linebackers will be at their best. The key is staying healthy, of course. And the thing is, there were no real big changes on defense or on offense. This is basically the same team as last year besides Jacobs, Manningham and Ballard taking the walk. I think Nicks and Cruz can easily fill the Manningham void, and Jacobs was just getting slow. Bradshaw could have a banner year, but I expect rookie David Wilson out of Va. Tech to get some good action.

The way I see it, there are only two teams in this division worth giving a shit about. The Eagles are saddled with continued bad karma (more on that in a second) and the Redskins are still saddled with Dan Synder. I don’t even want to write about them. Anyway, the Giants and Cowboys are going to be fighting for the division the whole year, but I think that Eli is going to deny Romo another shot at the NFC Conference championship. Giants and Packers or Falcons fighting for the Superbowl spot.

Projected Finish: 13-3

Washington Redskins
Finally stepping out of the GM role, Dan Synder was unable to make a shit ton of ridiculous decisions that would ultimately doom the Redskins. That’s not saying that every decision that has been made since are great ones, just that he’s not making as many stupid ones. The drafting of Robert Griffin III was the big deal and it’ll be interesting to see how the Redskins coaching staff handles him. You see, RG3 isn’t a Cam Newton type player, he’s more of an Aaron Rodgers type pocket passer. I think though, there is this misconception that he’s a tough runner, he just knows how to escape. If the Redskins offensive coaches put him on the run, it’ll backfire.

In other Redskins news, Shanahan continues to lead the team (11-21 over two seasons) and is joined by Raheem Morris as defensive backs coach. It’ll be one season before Morris is the head coach and Shanahan is out. I like the addition of Piere Garcon, and London Fletcher will still be trying to lead the defense to make up for a rookie QB’s mistakes, but the Redskins have their work cut out for them. They are still in one of the toughest divisions in football and they get the Steelers, Ravens and Panthers this year. The Browns should be a couple wins.

I think that in a pure and perfect environment, RG3 could succeed and lead his team to a winning season. In this environment, with a coach that only found success when Elway gave it to him, RG3 will face a lot of disappointment. Of course, I could be wrong and he could have a Cam Newton like breakout season, but I don’t think so. I’m predicting more sadness for the D.C. faithful.

Projected Finish: 4-12

Dallas Cowboys
Not too many changes here at all. The Cowboys are looking like pretty much the same team as last year, you know, all the offensive weapons and none of the heart. They seems to just go fucking limp in the lead-up to the playoffs, and if you are a Cowboys fan I don’t know how you can still put your Romo jersey on without feeling a tiny bit of shame. To me, Romo is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in the league today. Sure, he makes some great plays every once in a while, but his fuck-ups are epic and when it comes down to the wire, the high pressure situations, he’s mentally already in the fucking offseason banging blond chicks.

Which is why I’m already calling for Kyle Orton to get the start. Orton, has landed in Dallas, knowing full well that he isn’t done playing yet and still has something to prove. I think what the Cowboys have been missing the past couple years is a competent back-up QB that can step in, energize the team and get some wins. Maybe Romo will break a finger or something, nothing major, to give someone else a shot at putting some blood in the dick of this team.

The good news, especially for fantasy owners who saw a deal last year, is that DeMarco Murray will probably rush for well over 1,000 yards this year. Easily. Hell, he’ll probably do that against the Redskins and Eagles alone. And the NFC East plays the AFC North this year, so you can add another 1,000 yards against the Browns. Unless that ankle doesn’t hold up. In which case, nevermind. I’d like to predict good things for the Cowboys, but I just can’t see myself doing that. A winning season is all I can give them.

Projected Finish: 10-6

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles remind me of that video with those girls, and that cup. It starts out innocently enough, you think this could be good, then everyone starts eating shit. That was the Eagles last year and that will be the Eagles this year. Andy Reid has lost his mojo and as long as he insists on starting Vick, hell, keeping him on the team, they will not find the success on the field as they should have. I am a strong believer in football karma and the Eagles are saddled with a shit ton of bad karma.

Thankfully for them, Vick was injured in pre-season, though it was a finger injury and he’ll be back on the field. Do they really want to start this guy at QB? Fucking put him at receiver, nah, he’d get snapped in half. He’s too fragile and the Eagles offensive line has not been able to protect him at all. Bam. Bam. Bam. Vick hasn’t played 16 games in a season since 2006. May as well just start that kid Nick Foles out of Arizona, give him an early shot and rebuild this team offensively.

Defensively, meh. They are saying that they have a fixed defense, but I highly doubt that. Their scheme should be about the same, give up five yards at a time and hope they don’t run for more. What a way to contain guys. Go Eagles. I’ll give them the extra wins just cause they are playing the Browns.

Projected Finish: 8-8

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