Thoughts on the NFC East Thus Far

by jaws1385 on Sep 29, 2009 11:32 AM EDT Comment 28 comments

Three weeks in...here's the NFC East picture as I see it:

EAGLES

We've reached the bye with two very impressive wins and one very embarassing loss. But I think we'll be able to put that New Orleans game even further behind us after the bye; our next three opponents are the Bucs (0-3), the Raiders (1-2), and the Redskins (1-2). These three teams have anemic offenses while that of the Birds' is currently third in the NFL in points scored, behind only New Orleans and Baltimore. However, the defenses of Oakland and Washington haven't allowed that many points; Tampa Bay's has been uncharacteristically bad. Both Washington and Tampa are reeling from embarassing losses to Detroit and the Giants, respectively; The Skins gave the Lions their first win since 2007, and the Bucs were shut out for the first time since 2006. The Raiders didn't fare much better, getting smacked around by the Broncos, 23-3. Next weekend, Washington and Tampa play one another, so we'll get a chance to see how both teams look simultaneously. Oakland plays the Texans, so we'll see how that goes. As it stands right now, the Eagles are looking pretty good, but they'll need to develop their consistency on both sides of the ball and beat these three teams that should be beaten soundly. They'll need the confidence that comes with a 5-1 record when they face the Giants on November 1. It looks as though McNabb will be back against Tampa (he has an extra week to heal up), and he'll be wanting to remind everyone why he's the starter after Kevin Kolb's very impressive performance. Also, the tackling must improve; the arm-tackling and body-checks won't get the job done.

DALLAS COWBOYS

I said over a year ago that Tony Romo was overrated and given far too much credit and praise too early; and just now the ESPN talking heads are starting to say the same thing?? The Cowboys have a winning record, but their efforts through three games have been mediocre at best. They allowed 21 points to Tampa, got edged by the Giants, and beat Carolina 21-7. Not bad, but if you watched these games, you'd know that there isn't anything that particularly scares you about them. Every season Jerry Jones has to do something that overshadows the team (like bringing in T.O. and Pacman, building an enormous "Fuck-The-Poor" stadium), and as long as he gets in the way, Dallas will have a hell of a time creating an identity through their play. As for Romo, he can't stay out of the tabloid headlines, and he's still not stepped up to take a leadership role. Maybe T.O. wasn't the problem after all.

NEW YORK GIANTS

Big Blue is the only undefeated NFC East team, so it's safe to say they're pretty good. But, we have to remind ourselves that these three wins came against two mediocre teams and one terrible team (Washington and Dallas, Tampa Bay). The offense can still score, but damn if Eli doesn't miss the home-run threat he had in Plaxico Burress. Still, the Giants have a solid corps of receivers, and their running game is still decent. They'll most likely move to 4-0 after next Sunday, when they play the Chiefs, whom we've sent to them broken and demoralized. You're welcome, Tom Coughlin. Right now, the Giants are the team to beat in the NFC East, but you get the sense that the Eagles are very close behind.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Jim Zorn better have his affairs in order; a disappointing start to the season was compunded by the loss to the Lions, and when you work for the NFL's most impatient owner, this is usually grounds for dismissal. Albert Haynesworth, the Skins' key off-season acquisition, is hobbled. Jason Campbell is...well, Jason Campbell. DeAngelo Hall has intimated that some of his teammates "don't want it" bad enough. The wheels have not yet come off for the Redskins, but there are definitely plenty of loose lugnuts. Next week presents a double-edged sword situation for Zorn; win against lowly Tampa Bay, and the team will gain back some confidence. Lose, and Zorn will be looking for a new job in October.

WHAT WE KNOW

Kevin Kolb is better than many of us (including myself) thought
New York's offense misses Burress, and Eli is still under the microscope
Dallas still doesn't look like a dangerous playoff team
We have to beat Washington twice this year; no sweeps or splits with them.

WHAT WE DON'T

Whether the Eagles defense can shore up its poor tackling for good
That Dallas is no longer bothered by distractions
That New York is the best team in the division
That Washington is capable of making the playoffs

2 recs | Comment 28 comments

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Comments

Adding to What We Dont Know...

..How much of a factor will Vick be going forward?

by GreenInBaltimore on Sep 29, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I honestly

don’t really see Vick making an impact. The chiefs game wouldn’t have gone any differently if he had sat that one out, and that was with Kolb starting…I have to think that with McNabb, there’s even less need for him…

I see him being one of Andy’s toys…but not a significant part of the offense

"What did it feel like? That collision, I didn't feel nothing, because he was pretty much defenseless. It was like running through a cardboard box. Seriously. Cardboard box."- Sheldon Brown on his pounding of Reggie Bush in the '06 Playoffs

by jalarsen1 on Sep 29, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not really worried

In my opinion none of the 3 teams in the NFC East (not including us) have looked that particularly impressive. The Redskins got beat by arguably the worst team in NFL history and Dallas can’t get it together and has a secondary that gets worked like a part time job in the summer. As far as the Giants go, they have been winning but not in impressive fashion. In my opinion they weren’t exactly beautiful to watch against the Redskins and Dallas. If the Redskins had any kind offense they could have won because they only lost by 7. And against Dallas they forced 4 turnovers and still only won by a last second field goal. Mario and Smith are far from the numbers they put up against Dallas. They had a good game against a horrible secondary. Seriously, I don’t see the NFC East as much a struggle as it was last year.

by macjack09 on Sep 29, 2009 12:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would just remind you that we won against 2 teams that are 0-3. The Giants have beaten a 1-2 team, a 2-1 team, and a 0-3 team. Plus, while the Giants rushing attack isn’t looking wonderful, Eli Manning is still getting the ball out. Thats a very respectable team and we’re going to have our hands full with them.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Sep 29, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, somebody had to win the Dallas/Tampa Bay game, right?

Take that away, and Giants opponents have 2 wins, both against winless teams. The Giants haven’t been tested yet.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since you wanna get into that

The Giants beat an 2-1 team that beat two 0-3 teams teams. In fact, one of those 0-3 teams we destroyed in week one. And the team that was 1-2 beat one team that was only second to another team in pure horribleness. Matter a fact, the team that is 1-2 beat the second worst team last year and (according to ESPN) is in last place this year in power rankings. Matter a fact, the Giants only beat those 1-2 and 2-1 one teams by 7 and 2 points respectively. So in a since, they didn’t do much bro. I said they weren’t that impressive. I didn’t say they sucked.

by macjack09 on Sep 29, 2009 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I said that like an hour before you said it. Like, right above your post.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My Bad

I got into that respondin to what someone said to thoughts kinda thing and over looked your message bro. My bad.

by macjack09 on Sep 29, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Felix Jones

is a scary running back…sucks for Dallas that he’s hurt again. The Giants receivers have really stepped up, and you have to hand it to them. Washington is falling apart. We have to feel good winning convincingly with both McNabb and Westbrook out…imagine Dallas without Romo/Barber, the Giants without Eli and Jacobs, the Redskins without Campbell and Portis…we did something impressive on Sunday

by jalarsen1 on Sep 29, 2009 12:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There are only two teams in the NFC East...

…with a chance. The Giants will probably win the division at 11-5 with us going 10-6.

"Right now Winston Justice is the guy...until that person gets back out there"

by EvilBanner on Sep 29, 2009 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

Dallas has more gaping holes than Jenna Jameson.

Bye, Big Stew and JJ :(

by Bye, Dawk :( on Sep 29, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See Jenna Jameson’s new movie, “Fuck the Poor!” Produced by Jerry Jones.

I really enjoy the idea of Jerryland being called “Fuck the Poor” Stadium.

Let the beasting begin.

by TransplantedFan on Sep 29, 2009 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually

had that exact same prediction

by jalarsen1 on Sep 29, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with most of your analysis...

But what on earth leads you to say this?

New York’s offense misses Burress, and Eli is still under the microscope

Eli has never looked better. He’s currently ranked third in passer rating with a 104.1 (behind only big bro and Drew Brees). Steve Smith (6th with 277) and Mario Manningham (8th with 263) are in the top ten for receiving yards, both ahead of Desean Jackson, and Smith is second in the NFL with 23 receptions.

I just don’t see where this is coming from, Eli’s got 5tds and 1 int through 3 games, and his having absolutely no problem spreading the ball around to his young (and seemingly capable) receivers. I know Tampa is absolutely pathetic, but Eli really wasn’t asked to do much in that game, as we ran for over 200 yards and held the ball for over 40 minutes. If you watched the Dallas game he was under pressure quite a bit, but made some great moves within the pocket to keep plays alive and find open receivers (in the off season he worked with former Olympic great Michael Johnson on his speed, and it appears its paying off). Even though Washington has absolutely zero offense, there defense is still top tier when Haynesworth is in there (which he was not for the second half against Detroit). So I really just don’t see how that can be on your list of “What we Know” when every statistic is showing you the total and exact opposite.

"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."

by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 29, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe it’s because the Giants haven’t played anyone decent yet?

Tampa’s winless, Dallas’s wins were against winless teams, and Washington squeaked by the Rams and lost to the Lions.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, applying that logic, the Eagles haven’t played anyone great yet, but we destroyed the Panthers, lost to the Saints with our backups, and destroyed the Chiefs with backups, so I think that tells us a little more than what we see when the Giants play who they’ve played at full strength.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see your point.

But how does posting brilliant numbers against two division rivals (I don’t care what team it is, if it’s an NFC Beast game it’s gonna be tough) and one not so great team equal “New York’s offense misses Burress, and Eli is still under the microscope”. I could understand if Eli had a Tony Romo like performance (against a VERY depleated Giants secondary) but he’s done nothing other than show great poise and excellent decision making in the early part of the season.

I mean in this same post Jaws says “Kevin Kolb is better than many of us (including myself) thought” And if it’s the Kansas City game that leads you to believe that, how come the same can’t be said about Eli when he put up similar numbers against a Dallas team that is head over heels better than Kansas City?

Just doesn’t makes sense to me, because if I was making a list about “What We Know” the first slot might read something like this:

1. Even with the absence of Plaxico Burress, the Giants offense hasn’t skipped a beat.

"We'll show up tomorrow and do the same thing we try to do every day, kick Pedroia's ass in cribbage and try and win a baseball game."

by tito (eight and oh) on Sep 29, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

idunno, right now you could argue that Kansas City’s defense is better than Dallas’s. They’ve look pretty godawful.

I wouldn’t say they’re missing Burress right now but I think they will against tougher secondaries and defensive lines. I don’t know your schedule, when do you play a tough defense? I’d just say you haven’t been tested, but I agree it’s unfair to say you’re missing Burress.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just a thought

With an 8-4 combined W-L record through week three, the NFC is the winningest division in the NFL, sharing the top spot with the NFC North. Strange but true: No other divisions in the NFL have combined winning records.

The crazy thing about the the NFC East’s record is that 2 of the 4 losses were inside the division. Only the very scary Saints and the, hmmmm, mighty Lions have dealt the division losses so far.

Then again, that shouldn’t surprise too much. The combined winnings percentages of opponents in the first three weeks look as follows: Cowboys .333, Eagles .333, Giants .333, Redskins .444.

No team in the East has yet shown their full potential.

by One.Cool.Customer on Sep 29, 2009 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nonsenese

giants are the best team in the division.. they dont miss plax .. infact they have a ton of weapons .. when hixon and nicks come back .. plus the running game .. they are a scary team .. learn before u right that nonsense

by jack is better than asante on Sep 29, 2009 6:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know if I’m ready to name them the best team in the division flat out, that is something they have to win. But they definitely don’t miss Plax.

Jim Johnson 1941-2009

"The 0-2 pitch, swing and a miss! STRUCK HIM OUT! The Philadelphia Phillies are 2008 World Champions of baseball! And let the city celebrate! " - Harry Kalas 1936-2009

by Whodie126 on Sep 30, 2009 8:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess its only when they play the Eagles...

or maybe the Saints, that Eli and the WR core will show that there is no missing of Plaxico going on here. Its simply not true that this team misses him at all. The running game might miss Plaxico somehow, cuz defenses load up and rush like crazy when Jacobs is in there.

Steve Smith has gotten better at what he already does, he’s right up there with Welker as far as slot WR. HAM has been great so far.

That Bucs game Eli didn’t throw for 200 yards, so like most of his games people, like idiots, think he didnt’ do well. He simply did not have to go throwing the ball around. so why would he?

As for the whole “who did they play” thing…We’ll see. As usual. I think the Giants and Eagles are gonna play 3 times this year. I want to win all three, but we all know that third one is the only one that matters.

Giants got the Saints in 2 weeks, the Eagles 2 weeks after that. To me, every win is the same until January, so take from these games what you will (Giants beat both SB teams last year in the reg. season, so what does it all mean in the reg. season?)

What the f$%k is the internet?

by FreeBradshaw on Sep 29, 2009 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Steve Smith has gotten better at what he already does, he’s right up there with Welker as far as slot WR.

hahahaha.

I am the people's troll :3™

by yomjoseki on Sep 29, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

Steve Smith has been fantastic so far, but probably a little early to start comparing him to a guy that has strung together a few 100+ catch seasons.

Bye, Big Stew and JJ :(

by Bye, Dawk :( on Sep 30, 2009 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll agree the competition for the Giants and the Eagles has not been the best measuring stick...

But Eli looks REALLY good. That broke my heart to say but if one here has watched the games and is being honest the guy is doing his best impression of a great NFL QB right now. The final drive against Dallas was awesome. He looked sharp. HAM (ridiculous nickname but I will use it because it sounds like I am making fun of the guy) looks a lot better than I thought he would and Steve Smith reminds me a lot of Gonzalez out in Indy. Maybe not as explosive after the catch but sure hands and finds the seam in the D just like Avant. Ok enough compliments to the G-men. The run game is suspect right now for me. The Cowboys committed to stopping Jacobs and they did. If they had any kind of decent secondary I think that game would have played out differently. Against the Eagles I expect to see a little less of the “mature” Eli and a little more of the “old” Eli. IF, and this is a big IF, the Eagles can stop the run like they have in the past. If not it doesn’t matter what Eli looks like because Jacobs will hurt us. The scariest player right now for the G-men though is Bradshaw. He is a home run threat when he touches the ball and with Eli playing good and Jacobs softening up the D he really does create mismatch problems when he gets in there. Do I think the Giants D can stop the Eagles offense… no. Do I think the Eagles can beat the Giants… Yes. Are the Giants the best team in the NFC East right now… right now you have to believe it.

by IgglesFanDeployd on Sep 30, 2009 3:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 notes on the Cowboys

1. They keep saying F. Jones is their best weapon, but I dont think he will be much if he cant stay healthy for all their games. Just heard he is going to miss next weeks game.
2. Anybody else see the press interview of TO after the Bills loss? The media was relentless on trying to get him to blow up. I kinda feel bad for the guy, just a little.

"I hate listening to people's dreams. It is like flipping through a stack of photographs. If I'm not in any of them and nobody is having sex, I just don't care. "

by midnitegreen on Sep 29, 2009 8:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, the dude that kept trying to bait him was a bona fide douchenozzle, but I will never feel bad for TO… Ever. Have fun in Buffalo.

Bye, Big Stew and JJ :(

by Bye, Dawk :( on Sep 30, 2009 3:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

as much as i DESPISE eli. and i truly do..

i’m impressed with his play this season. i really saw him being exposed as an average-at-best qb when burress was out of the picture. i saw them turning completely into a running team. but unfortunately, he’s done pretty damn well with theother steve smith and mario manningham. nicks has been hurt and he’s really been making smith and manningham look like good nfl starters. obviously the fact that he’s thrived against TB and Dallas’s weak defensive units has a great deal to do with it, but i’m still surprised with how he’s performed. (here’s hoping that once he actually meets a threatening defense he becomes the qb i’ve always seen him as)

by Q27 on Sep 30, 2009 12:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs